The weather conditions were near perfect Saturday for the Tiger Trot and the Fountain Lake 5 at Brookside Elementary School in Albert Lea.

There was no contending with ice and snow this year as participants raced around Fountain Lake to raise money.

The Tiger Trot is Southwest Middle School’s only fundraiser of the year and the proceeds go toward the activities funds. Those funds help pay for field trips.

Organizers made a point to have the Tiger Trot as its lone fundraiser because it was a healthier choice than many of the other fundraisers like pizza sales, candy bar sales and other junk food sales.

“We decided to go away from the non-healthy ways of fundraising,” said Sue Ellis, a teacher at Southwest.

Last year’s Tiger Trot raised approximately $4,300 through registration fees, sponsors and pledges raised by the runners despite the cold weather, said Southwest Principal Marsha Langseth.

The Tiger Trot ran in conjunction with the Fountain Lake 5, a five-mile race which entered its 31st year of existence this year.

Holding both events at the same time provide an opportunity for parents and children to each engage in a healthy activity.

The event was held specifically on Saturday because that marked YMCA National Healthy Kids Day.

“It’s a fun way for students to get involved,” said Southwest teacher Katie Bremer.

The top three placers in each age group received an award made by Southwest art teacher Talia Bloedel.

Eighth-grader Chrissy Monson was the top overall finisher Saturday with a time of 17 minutes, 48 seconds. Runner-up was ninth-grader Griffin Wangen who ran the 5-kilometer course in 18:50.

Wangen had just one word to describe the race after finishing, “painful.” Wangen said he wanted to try to catch up to Monson, a state qualifier in cross country this season, but that’s tough to do for just about any one these days.

Last year 250 people participated in the Tiger Trot and 25 in the Fountain Lake 5. The numbers were up in both this year.

This year marked the third year the Tiger Trot and Fountain Lake 5 ran together and Albert Lea Family Y Executive Director Dennis Dieser is pleased with how the venture has turned out.

“I think it increases the visibility,” Dieser said.

Jeshua Erickson was the overall winner in the Fountain Lake 5 with a time of 31:05 and Angie Schuhmacher won on the female side with her time of 37:45.

Erickson said he enjoyed the community aspect the two events brought together.

“I think it’s fun just because it’s a community event,” he said. “Everyone celebrated getting in shape and all those benefits.”

Tiger Trot Results

Overall winners

Females: Chrissy Monson 17:48

Male: Griffin Wangen 18:50

Females

11 and under

1. BreLahna Purdie 26:50

2. Haley Larson 27:34

3. Sydney Koziolek 30:55

12 to 13

1. Kelli Sanderson 24:43

2. Carol Lein 24:45

3. Morgan Haney 26:32

14 to 18

1. Chrissy Monson 17:48

2. Summer Swensrud 22:16

3. Annabelle Randall 22:18

19 to 29

1. Lydia Berg 20:53

2. Nicole Maxwell 26:15

30 to 39

1. Wende Taylor 20:57

2. Dawn Ferguson 22:20

3. Kelly Christen 24:09

40 and over

1. Dana Gjersvik 28:37

2. Pam Clark 29:36

3. Vonnie Carlson 30:58

Males

11 and under

1. Sam Chalmers 21:59

2. Connor Larson 25:52

12 to 13

1. Blair Bonnerup 19:15

2. Eli Malimanek 19:23

3. Lucas Malimanek 20:10

14 to 18

1. Griffin Wangen 18:50

2. Andy Christian 19:13

3. Andre Purdie 20:47

19 to 29

1. Tony Jones 20:57

2. Michael Mack 23:11

3. Theron Whitehorn 23:17

30 to 39

1. Joe Stitt 19:46

2. Mike Brookman 20:32

3. Jason Wilner 22:31

40 and over

1. Mike Sunblad 21:21

2. Steve Bracken 22:14

3. Bill Miller 23:18

Fountain Lake Five

Overall winners

Male: Jeshua Erickson 31:05

Female: Angie Schuhmacher 37:45

30 to 39

1. Brian Lynch 32:07

2. Craig VanDerWaerdt 33:52

3. John Schneider 35:12

40 to 49

1. Scott Woitas 41:48

2. Keith Shaw 79:48

50 to 59

1. Bryce Gaudian 34:35

2. Kent Spellman 40:41

60 and older

1. Gene Pacovisk 41:46

2. Paul Habermann 40:25

Females

18 and under

1. Jade Claussen 42:54

19 to 29

1. Kelly Goskeson 41:48

2. Keri Stadheim 43:10

3. Michelle Hintz 46:54

30 to 39

1. Shelly Thompson 37:46

2. Jen Chalmers 38:59

3. Kristen Heinz 39:48

40 to 49

1. Joy Shaft 56:59

2. Darla Schnaith 62:16

3. Tracy Shaw 79:48