The Hastings Gobble Gait started in 1998 as a small race to raise funds for Hastings Family Service. Since then, it has grown to proportions beyond what anyone expected. In total, the Gobble Gait Fun Run has raised over $1.8 million to support Hastings Family Service. Coupled with the buying power that non-profits have through community partnerships, that average of more than $70,000 annually goes a very long way to helping Hastings residents in need.

This year’s registration had three options for the 8K run. Those that registered by October 31 paid only $35, the standard registration was $40 and the late registration, November 23 and 24, was $50. The 8k registration included a t-shirt. 2K participants paid $15 per participant or $55 for up to 10 family members in the same household, unless they waited until the last two days where it went up by $5. Between the two races, an estimated 3,000 participants were part of this year’s 25th anniversary.

“Today is Thanksgiving Day and we are actually celebrating our 25th anniversary, our 25th time of getting together on Thanksgiving morning to raise money for Hastings Family Service,” said Mayor Mary Fasbender. “Every year is special, and the more people that we bring into our community and our community supports this immensely, but we have people that come across the bridge, and they come into our community, they are realizing what we do.”

As part of the 25th anniversary, the Gobble Gait committee invited 1999 HHS graduate, Super Bowl champion, and musician Ben Utech to sing the National Anthem before the race.

“Singing is kind of one of the things that I love to do and surprise people, said Utech. “No one expects a singing football player but it's something I've loved to do and have done professionally for many years. So, anytime I can use that gift, especially to give back to my favorite community in Minnesota, I'm going to do it.”

Utech has also participated as a runner in the Gobble Gait.

“It's kind of woven into the fabric and culture of Hastings and so, to be a part of its 25th anniversary celebration is pretty special.”

The Gobble Gait is not truly a timed race. There is a clock that starts with the race, but no official results are kept other than the top three runners for both male and female categories. Each of the top three runners in the 8k receive a trophy. This year, the top three male runners in order were Nick Ross, Noah Brenny and James Sorenson. The top three female runners were Marit Ross-Sohnesyn, Linnea Ronning and Salena Butler.

Hastings native and 2007 HHS graduate, Ross has been running the Gobble Gait for quite some time.

“Funny you should ask how many years I've run it,” said Ross. “I ran it for the first-time back in… I don't even know exactly. Probably 2000? I did it with my best friend David Schutt, and he and I stopped on the Vet's bridge and threw ice over the rail. We were the last finishers that year, with only the ambulance behind us. I like to joke that I'm probably about the only person who's finished both first and last at the same race. I think my first serious year was probably 2007 or so, but my training logs don't go back that far. I know I ran it in 2008, and most years since, with the exception of two that I was out of the state for skiing. For an exact number of top three finishes, you'd have to ask record-keeper and race-extraordinaire Mary but looking back I think this was my eighth time winning it.”

Keen readers may have noticed something on the top-three finishers list. The first-place male is Nick Ross and the first-place female Marit Ross-Sohnesyn. They share the same last name of ‘Ross’.

“Marit is indeed my lovely wife of just over two years (and the better athlete among us), though we've been together for almost 10. She's from Wayzata, but it is pretty darn cool to have a partner that can share in breaking the tape. She was a good runner in high school before planning to focus more on cross country skiing in college. Then we met and she doubled down on the running and made it to the NCAA championship in the 10,000 meters, and ultimately the Olympic trials in the marathon, whereas she got me back into skiing and I've found my way to a few victories in that sport now as well. I like to think we push each other to grow and improve, and I'm not sure what more I could really ask for,” added Ross.

Ross was a Raider runner and he used to joke with his teammates that the races during the cross-country season were simply training for the biggest race of the year, Gobble Gait.

“I still get text messages to this day on Thanksgiving asking about the race. It's such a fun event, I genuinely look forward to it each year, and it's so much fun to see such a huge community of people out rallying around a single cause like this,” said Ross.

The Hastings community really does rally around the Gobble Gait with over 100 community businesses supporting the event, including the presenting sponsor being Vermillion State Bank. With there being so many sponsors, take a look at www.gobblegait.com to see the full list, a list the Hastings Journal is proud to be part of.

“Every community has that collaboration with all their resources, but Hastings truly just comes together,” added Fasbender. “I love it when we see little kids, 2-90 years old, and people that have said, ‘I've been to every one’ and that's the cool thing. But we couldn't do this without the support of our sponsors, our participants, all of our volunteers, we have to start planning in June, every year, sometimes even all year-round. But basically, we start meeting in June, and it just takes a lot of organization.”

The 25th running of Gobble Gait was a huge success for Hastings, the Gobble Gait committee, and Hastings Family Service.

The top three male runners for 2022 Gobble Gait with race officials. Left to Right: Hastings Family Service Executive Director Amy Sutton, Mercy, third-place runner, James Sorenson, first-place runner Nick Ross, second place runner Noah Brenny and Mayor Mary Fasbender. Photo by Bruce Karnick

The top three female runners for 2022 Gobble Gait with race officials. Left to Right: Hastings Family Service Executive Director Amy Sutton, Mercy, first-place runner Merit Ross-Sohnesyn, Second-place runner Linnea Ronning, third-place runner Salena Butler and Mayor Mary Fasbender.Photo by Bruce Karnick