The Hallelujah Hustle is a 5k run/walk that was started in 2007 as a fun way to motivate people to get active and stay healthy. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a long history of promoting healthy living and the Hustle helps to encourage this at the Wisconsin Conference’s annual camp meeting.
2023 Hustle:
What a beautiful day for racing! We were so excited to see our numbers keep climbing, breaking 200 participants again. Our committee was excited to receive lots of input on some changes we can and will be implementing so that we can still have a great event but still be able to make a sizable donation to our non-profit organization of choice. This year we vowed to help support the Care & Share Food Bank of Marquette County based in Montello, Wisconsin as well as a thank you percentage toward Camp Wakonda helping in areas they need most. As always, we are super thankful for all of our sponsors, volunteers, and participants – without any of you, this race means nothing. Looking forward to our next race June 16, 2024!
2022 Hustle:
The weather was cool, but what a nice relief for an early morning of running/walking! Our numbers are still down from post-COVID and inflation prices, but we were super excited to have 182 participants register, 163 of those who raced! Our proceeds from this year went to sponsor a camper at Camp Wakonda and to an Madison-based organization that helps visually impaired individuals get matched with a guide dog, OccuPaws. We’re already excited for our event next year on June 18, 2023!
2021 Hustle:
In a slowly reopening COVID world, we had no idea what to expect – even if we were able to have our event! We were so excited to be able to have our event and especially excited that 147 people decided to participate! Our numbers are lower than in past years, but according to our race timers, Race Day Events, we still had great numbers compared to other 5Ks trying to get started back up. We offered an optional virtual aspect as well as had prepackaged snacks and water to help maintain COVID precautions, and knew that we would struggle with our numbers so decided to contribute proceeds to the same organizations as last year so that between the two years we might be able to donate similar funds as in years past. This was also the first year that our new directors were able to host in-person and we can not thank the previous directors enough for all the help they supplied in making this transition! We could not have done it without them or without the assistance from our awesome sponsors as well as with the help of the Wisconsin Conference of SDA, our hosts. Weather was as close to perfect as we could have asked for, the rain holding off just long enough for us to race and get everything cleaned up. We’re already working toward plans for next year’s event and we are so excited to have anyone who is interested in participating/volunteering/sponsoring for our event next year, on June 12, 2022 at Camp Wakonda during Wisconsin Camp Meeting.
2020 Hustle:
The 2020 Hustle was scheduled for Sunday, June 14. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hustle was cancelled on April 2, 2020 once Wisconsin Camp Meeting was cancelled. The traditional Hustle was postponed until the following year. However, we tried something new – going virtual! Same time, but at your own place. Proceeds helped to help support the race next year as well as the majority going toward Primates, Incorporated. Primates, Incorporated sent a ‘Thank You’ card and photos to our participants that can be seen here. The traditional hustle will continue on June 20, 2021.
2018 Hustle:
This was our hottest year that I can remember, but that didn’t stop you all from coming out and running! Over 260 participants sweated it out in support of Stable Life in Westfield. Thanks to all who joined in on the fun, and our amazing sponsors, we were able to sponsor 2 kids to attend Camp Wakonda and donate $2,000 to Stable Life. Thank you for a truly awesome year!
2017 Hustle:
Officially our biggest year yet with 271 participants and nearly $2,000 raised for the Pioneer Splash Park in Westview, WI. You guys rock! We also introduced medals for the top 3 male and female finishers in 6 age categories. Most importantly, everyone had a great time. Thank you all for another great year!
2016 Hustle:
This year was our 10th Annual Hustle. What an amazing milestone! When we took over 2 years ago we had no idea just how impactful this event is. The unwavering support of the participants, volunteers, and sponsors continue to make this race possible. So to each and every one of you, we say “Thank you!”.
2015 Hustle:
This year brought about a few changes, the biggest of which was new race directors. Despite the steep learning curve, the race was an overwhelming success! This was all thanks to amazing volunteers and fantastic participants. We can’t wait for 2016! Photos and results are now available.
2014 Hustle:
What a fantastic event! Participants woke up to absolutely beautiful weather at Camp Wakonda. It was the perfect day for the 265 people – a new record – who registered. Congratulations to all of the finishers and a big “THANK YOU” to those who donated, sponsored, and volunteered. Photos and race results are now available.