Special to The Message
The third annual Race for Vocations was a huge success, according to organizers, and they credit many people and organizations for “playing a huge part in helping us Glorify God and in spreading the word about vocations.”
In an email to the Race for Vocations Team following the Oct. 3 race, Anna Bragin wrote: “What an incredible weekend! Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, prayed, donated and supported our team. Together, we brought mind, body and spirit together to celebrate and support holy vocations in our community.”
The Race for Vocations challenges participants to prepare both spiritually and physically as they train. Throughout their preparation, participants pray intentionally for vocations, share prayer intentions with one another and unite their physical sacrifices for the flourishing of their own vocations and those of others.
In its third year, Bragin reported there were well over 100 participants during training, and 55 participant prayer intentions were carried through every mile and offered up during race preparation.
“Whether this was your first race or one of many, we are proud of your accomplishment and thankful for your participation in the Race for Vocations,” she said. “Well done!”
An event of this scale takes a team, and Bragin said they are deeply grateful to the individuals and groups who made the Oct. 3 race weekend possible, including:
- Fr. Tyler Tenbarge: Support and logistics
- Fr. Alex Zenthoefer: Support, water station captain and Mass celebrant
- The St. Benedict Cathedral Knights of Columbus: Providing a wonderful Pasta Supper
- Jeremy Korba & Regent Promotions: Event t-shirts and music for Thursday Mass
- Cana Collective: Generously donating door prizes for the Pasta Supper
- The Knights of Columbus from Good Shepherd & the Columbiettes: Tailgate volunteers and food
- Sts. Mary and John Parish & Fr. Eugene: Providing race-day parking and restroom access
- Kathy Herrmann: Weekly reflection support throughout training
- Mandy Keener: Water station coordinator
- Nick Ivy: T-shirt logistics
- Dana Blanke: Social media expert
Bragin said there was an amazing turnout from across Diocesan parishes, which included, based on provided information in the sign-up: St. Benedict Cathedral, 12; St. Wendel, 11; Good Shepherd, 9; St. Philip, 8; Annunciation Parish, 7; St. John the Baptist, 7; Holy Rosary, 6; St. Joseph, 6; Holy Redeemer, 5; Resurrection, 5; Holy Cross, 3; Corpus Christi, 2; St. James, 2; St. John the Evangelist, 2; St. Bernard, 1; St. Boniface, 1; Sts. Peter and Paul, 1; Vocation’s Office, 1; and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 1.
Bragin provided the following race results and highlights, which she said was compiled using data from the official Flocknote registration sign-up.
“If you didn’t officially sign up this year but still participated — perhaps wearing a shirt from a prior year — please know we are incredibly thankful you showed up, even if your name isn’t listed,” she wrote in an email.
Race Results & Highlights
Half Marathon Finishers:
- Erick Orandi (St. Philip) – 1:21:53 (16th overall, 2nd in Age Division)
- Maria Heathcott (St. Benedict Cathedral) – 1:28:22 (4th place female overall, 1st in Age Division)
- Cody Moll – 1:28:40 (3rd in Age Division, 39th overall)
- Matthew Schroeder – 1:29:27 (4th in Age Division, M15-19)
- Jim Schroeder (Holy Redeemer) – 1:29:38 (1st in Age Division, 43rd overall)
- Nick Ivy (St. Bernard, Snake Run) – 1:33:21 (4th in Age Division)
- Blair Rexing (Holy Cross) – 1:35:53 (3rd in Age Division)
- Kathy Herrmann (Resurrection) – 1:37:02 (3rd in Age Division)
- Jason Spindler (Sts. Peter and Paul) – 1:38:38 (3rd in Age Division)
- Brett Bueltel (St. Philip) – 1:45:25 (13th in Age Division)
5-Miler Finishers:
- Simon Keener (St. John the Baptist) – 37:55 (10th overall, 1st in Age Division, M13-14)
- Father Tyler Tenbarge (Vocation Office) – 41:17 (1st in Age Division)
- Deacon Ed Walker (Resurrection) – 41:33 (1st in Age Division)
- Julie Angermeier (Resurrection) – 41:45 (1st in Age Division)
- Claire Boots (St. Wendel) – 41:46 (2nd in Age Division)
- Brendan McKenzie (Holy Redeemer) – 42:22 (3rd in Age Division)
- Jessica Reckelhoff (St. Joseph) – 42:51 (1st in Age Division)
- Grant Doyle – 43:12 (4th in Age Division)
- Chad Martin (St. Joseph) – 43:27 (3rd in Age Division, M 15-19)
- Mandy Keener (St. John the Baptist) – 47:20 (6th in Age Division)
- Abby Coudret (Corpus Christi) – 51:04 (2nd in Age Division)
- Dana Blanke (Good Shepherd) – 1:01:59 (7th in Age Division)
- Blaise Emery (St. John the Baptist) – 1:03:43 (5th in Division, Male 12-under)
- Janet Werner (Good Shepherd) – 1:07:55 (2nd in Age Division)
- Lizbeth Creech (St. Benedict Cathedral) – 1:18:05 (6th in Age Division)
- Jane Herr (St. Wendel) – 1:21:21 (1st in Age Division)
“Thank you all for your witness, your sacrifices and your joyful hearts,” Bragin said. “Let’s keep praying for our seminarians, priests, religious, sacred single life and holy marriages!”
Years ago, Father Tyler Tenbarge, Diocesan Director of Vocations, and Anna Bragin both participated in a Race for Vocations in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, running alongside the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. After later relocating to the Evansville area, Bragin connected with Father Alex Zenthoefer, who encouraged her to be a visible witness to the faith. Inspired by his encouragement, Anna felt called to bring the initiative to her new community.
In 2024, Nick and Anna Bragin, with the support of Father Zenthoefer and the staff of St. Benedict Cathedral, officially launched the Race for Vocations in the Diocese of Evansville. Held annually each October in conjunction with the Evansville Half Marathon and 5 Miler, the event was created to encourage prayer for vocations while providing a vibrant public witness to the Catholic faith.