For a decade or so during the late 1990s/early 2000s, the first Saturday in May meant a couple of running-related things to me—the Run for the Roses and the Run for the Pie.

Run for the Roses as in the Kentucky Derby. Run for the Pie as in the Norske Nook 2 mile/15K .

Norske Nook was a small run in the small town of Osseo, Wisconsin, which was a big part of its charm.

Registration and packet pickup was at the local high school. The course went out onto the rural roads that wound and rolled their way through the green, hilly countryside.

One year a group of runners had to stop to let a hay wagon pass in front of them.

Another year there was a bit of a detour caused by a big road-kill raccoon.

All finishers received a piece of pie courtesy of the local Norske Nook Bakery and Restaurant.

Proceeds benefitted the local library.

The race was organized by the late Don Gilbertson, a retired University of Minnesota professor who lived on a nearby farm in Osseo. Not only was Don an excellent runner himself—having run a number of sub 3-hour marathons well into his 50s—he did much to support local running as well.

Prior to starting the Norske Nook Run, Don provided many years of volunteer service to the Indianhead Track Club both as an officer and event coordinator. For a number of years, he and his wife Nancy put on a New Year’s Day fun run that was always a great way to kick off the new year.

As we finally come out of the pandemic, here’s hoping that community-minded volunteers such as the Gilbertsons continue to come forward to help keep fun community events such as the Norske Nook Run going.