‘Iowa’s tastiest 5K’

MONROE — Frosty Nose Cold Toes 5K organizer Andrea Steenhoek promises this year’s race won’t make runners climb hills all day

“We only challenge you with one good hill,” she said. “I typically run the route three times before the race. It’s a good course.”

“Iowa tastiest 5K,” sponsored by Jersey Freeze Ice Cream in Monroe, is back for a third year. The March 17 fun run is registering participants now. The 3.1-mile race is $15 for runners age 18 and younger and $25 for runners 19 and older. All registrants will get a free T-shirt and every runners gets a participation medal. Online registration ends Wednesday.

People can register at the race, but Steenhoek said T-shirts and medals will only be available as supplies last. Racers will meet at Monroe’s downtown square bandstand with the race beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Like last year, participants will have live time results at the finish line displayed on a 48-inch screen. Individualized finisher certificate available online for download or print and the opportunity to post accomplishment to social media via the results link. Finish line video of approximately 20-30 seconds will be available on the results website three to four days or sooner after the race.

Jersey Freeze will donate all proceeds for the race to the Monroe Old Settlers Committee to pay for entertainment, rides and more at the summer town festival.

Last year’s race saw 188 runners brave both snow and 21-degree temperatures. Organizers have moved this year’s event back one week, in hopes that temperatures will be a little less frosty.

“As we approach the date and get that seven-day forecast, registration tends to tic up,” Steenhoek said.

To register online, visit runreg.com/jersey-freeze-frosty-nose. For more information check on the Jersey Freeze or Monroe Old Settlers Facebook pages.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com