PHOTOS: Pinewood Phantom 5K and Kids Fun Run

Early on Saturday morning, hundreds of people gathered at for the first annual Pinewood Phantom 5K and Kids Fun Run. The event was sponsored by the Pinewood PTO as a fundraiser for the school.

Registration began at 8:00 am, and at 9:00 am the young children left for a fun run, with their families cheering them on. People were encouraged to wear costumes to the race, so when the children returned there was a costume judging, starting with the children and proceeding to the adults.

Winning costumes included Peter Pan (kindergarten), an astronaut (first grade), a skeleton (second grade), the Scream character (third grade), a pond (fourth grade) and a dog dressed as a stegosaurus (fifth grade).

The adult winners were “purplicious” (male) and a jail bird (female). Judging was based on the roar of the crowd for each costumer. 

Some special guests made appearances at the race. The cheerleaders were cheering the racers as they neared the finish line. Wally the Wildcat, the Eagan High School mascot, circulated through the crowd. After the race, Minnesota’s Captain Jack Sparrow made an appearance, and rivaled Johnny Depp with his characterization of the famous pirate.

Judy Fissgus-Horgen and Karie Hamernik shared the PTO race coordinator duties. Fissgus-Horgen said that over 300 people pre-registered for the race. She thanked many companies who provided financial sponsorship, food, water and prizes, including , Edina Realty, , HealthPartners, Knowledge Beginnings, Anderson Race Management, Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe, and Superhuman Shirts.