By Mandy McFarland Editor
WAKARUSA — Last year, participants in the annual Road Run and Tour de Waky fought cold, wind and icy rain.
This year, thanks to a new tactic by coordinators, the event took place on a breezy, warm, mostly-sunny morning.
The tactic? Hold the event one week after Wakarusa’s annual Maple Syrup Festival, instead of one week before, as tradition has been for many years.

Last year was the second year in a row that unpleasant weather conditions held attendance for the event at a minimum. Even many who had signed up ahead of time for the 2008 run and bike ride simply were not up to sloshing through cold rain puddles.
This year was a completely different story, however, as nearly 96 runners and bike riders turned out for the event. Even the day of, new runners were signing in. In addition, waiting two extra weeks allowed coordinators to take registrations during the Maple Syrup Festival, an opportunity they did not have in years past.
According to coordinator Bud Miller, while current economic conditions may have acted as a deterrent for even greater numbers of participants signing up, the event raised at least as much as last year for the Special Olympics of Elkhart County.
Runners could choose between the actual run, a 5K event, or the one-mile "Fun Run," a shortened version for those not used to longer courses. "Tour de Waky" participants had a 10-mile and a 20-mile ride to choose from. Those who did not wish to run could opt for the walk.