ST. GERMAIN – The St. Germain Radar Run continues to grow in popularity, with the 16th annual event held this past weekend shattering the record for fundraising by their acclaimed bikini racers. The fundraiser combines the passion for snowmobiling with the ability to help women and men diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 32 women raised $85,002, according to bikini race director and assistant race director Amy Greenberg. That eclipses the $52,770 in donations raised last year. In the past 11 years, they have raised well over $300,000. The funds will be shared with the Pink Ribbon Riders organization and with the St. Germain Fire Department and the Plum Lake Ambulance.
The Pink Ribbon Riders has a patient assistance program that gives women and men dealing with breast cancer a $500 gift card to help them out during this difficult time. The women earned rankings by the amount of funds they raised through pledges, combined with their speed of their run down the 660-foot snow track.
Trophies were awarded to the three highest finishers in two categories: fastest speed, and fastest speed combined with total pledges raised.
Hitting it out of the ballpark was Meghan Gaynor who raised $27,637 in donations. Gaynor was also fastest on the track, clocking 107.7 miles per hour. She was the only one to break the 100 mph mark. She earned the overall Bikini Run title. Pam Riggs was in second place overall with $16,680 in donations and a track speed of 93.8 mph. Karen Ives-Gray was third overall with $5,100 and a track speed of 83.4. Two women came close to breaking the 100 mph mark: Courtney Fender at 99.0 mph and Jessica McCorkie at 96.8 mph. New this year was the men’s swimsuit radar run on Friday.
Several men took part, but information on how much they raised was not available. Greenberg expects that event to grow in popularity as well next year.
