The Farmer’s Filthy 5, a special fundraising and racing event for people who love getting dirty, was held in and around Stenen on June 11.
The fundraiser involves individuals and teams raising money before eventually participating in a muddy obstacle course, crossing logs, mud pits, and hay bales in order to reach the finish line.
Over 145 racers from ages four to 71 participated in either a children’s one kilometre race, a children’s three kilometre race, a five kilometre team race and a five kilometre individual race. Racers came from all over Saskatchewan, including Norquay, Canora, and Preeceville, in order to join the fun.
The winners of the races included J.T. Foster in the three kilometre children’s race and Mike Andrusko in the individual five kilometre race. Andrusko shocked everyone by running the race two more times after his win. Two teams won the five team event: "We got the Runs,” a team consisting of Matt Lukey and Dan Grywacheski, and the “Lacrosse Boys,” featuring Durban Helboff, Jesse Biletsky, Seth Rayner, Zane Bayer, and Carter Masley. Lukey and Grywacheski came in first, but because the “Lacrosse Boys” overcame bonus obstacles, they received a two-minute time credit that granted them first place.
Events were held before and after the races, which began at 12 p.m., at Rawhide’s Restaurant. A DJ played music, and games such as bean bag tosses and beer pong were organized, though most participants took advantage of the restaurant’s new deck to enjoy the sun. Rawhide’s also joined in the fundraising by selling pint glasses filled with beer.
All the proceeds from the event, including the registration fees, went to charity in honour of “Iron Will” Rattray of Regina, a 13-month-old child who passed away from an underdeveloped larynx. Rattray’s parents wish to donate their segment of the money to the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) Clinic, with the hopes of raising $300,000 by 2019. The other major donation recipient is Teagan’s Voice, a charity for child protection.
The Farmer’s Filthy 5 will take place once again next year on June 10.
