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Irish Stampede makes debut in downtown Tama

Participants at the start line of the 5K Irish Stampede. PHOTO BY MEYER/DAVIS
The race's biggest sponsors include the Tama Livestock Auction, Sandhill Auto Salvage, and Iowa Premium, who grilled and provided free burgers to all attending the event. PHOTO BY MEYER/DAVIS
The struggle bus was a last minute edition which helped to make the race more inclusive to those locals who didn’t want to run, but still wanted to enjoy the event. The bus also provided a nice reprieve from the cold for those in green. PHOTO BY MEYER/DAVIS
PHOTO BY MEYER/DAVIS

On Saturday, March 18, “The Irish Stampede” took place in downtown Tama. The Pump sponsored this new local event. Despite the brutal weather conditions, with wind gusts upwards of 30 miles an hour and temperatures below zero with windchill, the 5k continued as planned.

Blake Keller emerged victorious, finishing the race with a time of 18:36. Jonathan Meyer came in second, finishing in 19:40. Kaden Kopsa rounded out the top three, finishing in a time of 21:40.

In charge of the race was Jeff Niedermann, who along with Nathan Doran, have owned and operated The Tama Pump for five years, making it a local institution. Operators of The Eagles, The Legion, The Pump, and The VFW all chipped in $200 to make the race happen this year. Whether the Chamber of Commerce brings back the ‘LepBarChaun Dash’ next year or if the Irish Stampede will run again is unknown. Organizers behind the Stampede don’t wish to step on the toes of and are leaving the decision up to the Chamber.