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Home » Fitness » A Legacy of Fitness and Fun, Remembering Orlo Blomquist – Madison Courier

The good Lord didnt intend for us to sit around on our butts.

That quote appeared in the March 15, 1984 edition of the North Vernon Plain Dealer in the run up to the Fourth Annual Sassafras 10K and Fun Run. The speaker? Orlo Blomquist, a Jennings County resident remembered for sharing the joys of physical activity, fitness, and wellness with the entire community.

Orlo moved to Jennings County to work as an engineer for Cummins. When a friend died in his 50s after years of being inactive, it rang like a wakeup call. The lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and former flat-track racer added new sports: running and bicycling. As his daughter Laura Blomquist-Corkum shared, He read Dr. Kenneth Coopers books on aerobics like they were his second bible.

It didnt take long before Orlo began to share his enthusiasm for fitness with the community.

In 1981, he began coordinating the Sassafras 10K and that well-loved event became the Spring Tonic Sports Festival, including not only a foot race, but also a bicycle tour of Jennings County and canoe race on the Muscatatuck River.

As Vernon Mayor Dan Wright remembers, He built this cannon to shoot off at the beginning of the race. I had a lot of respect and love for Orlo. He came around when I was in junior high, early high school aged. Just the fact that what he started is still relevant today. Thats pretty neat!

In Orlos own words from 1989, Were trying to get away from the hardshell competition and keep it a fun thing. Thats what Im trying to promote. [Fitness] can be a lot of fun.

The spirit of Orlos quest to make fitness fun is needed today. According to the County Health Rankings, 35% of Jennings County residents are completely sedentary outside of work. This means people arent working in the yard, going for walks, doing taxing chores, or exercising. This lack of physical activity puts people at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and other chronic diseases.

But, Orlos legacy will be on full display this Saturday, April 30 in Vernon.

Three separate events started by Orlo Blomquist or that would certainly make him proud are being held. The first is the Spring Tonic 5K Run & Walk hosted by the Jennings County Running Club that will start at the Vernon Gym at 8 a.m.

Participants will run through the Vernon Cemetery and out to Tunnel Mill before returning to the Gym. The trees are beautiful right now! says Jeff Walker, the race organizer. Were excited to restart a Jennings County tradition and raise funds for the Vernon Gym.

Entry fees are $25 and participants can register day of starting at 7 a.m. or online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Vernon/SpringTonic5KWalk. Every participant will receive a t-shirt and finish line photo, and awards will be given for top finishers.

Also supporting the Vernon Gym that night, the Friends of Historic Vernon will be hosting Vernon Trivia Night. Teams of up to eight can participate starting at 5:30 p.m. and the cost, which includes a taco bar dinner, is $25 per person. Proceeds will go towards maintenance and upgrades at the Vernon Gym.

We want to keep the price low for folks [to rent the Vernon Gym] so that everybody can use it. We want the Gym to be functional, a nice place, and we want it to be fun!

If you would like to test your knowledge, especially your local history, then you can RSVP by calling 812-592-0428.

Sandwiched between the two, and the longest continually held event honoring Orlos legacy of making fitness fun, is the Orlo Blomquist Memorial Canoe and Kayak Race. This event is being put on by the Friends of the Muscatatuck River Society as fundraiser for their work protecting the Muscatatuck River. Registration starts at noon at the Vernon Commons and is $10. All non-motorized craft are welcome.

The race will start at the Vernon Commons at 1 p.m. and finish at the Crosley Green Bridge boat launch. It should take about an hour and a half, according to Troy Jackson. As is tradition the winner from last year will return with the champions paddle to defend their title. Each winner gets to sign and date the paddle and it has been circulating for years!

Orlos legacy is a testament to his passion about fitness and making fitness fun. His daughter Laura, who will be joining the fun on April 30, had this to say to event organizers: Orlo would be so excited to see the run back in action and that the canoe race is still going. He was all about making physical fitness a fun family affair and our family holidays still revolve around being in a run together. Thank you so much for doing this!

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A Legacy of Fitness and Fun, Remembering Orlo Blomquist - Madison Courier

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Home » Fitness » A Legacy of Fitness and Fun, Remembering Orlo Blomquist – Madison Courier