Palos Park Man Completes Three-Peat of Lake Katherine 5K

Photo: The Myrda family celebrate their successful runnings of the Lake Katherine Break for the Lake 5K.

Victory was three times as sweet for Palos Park man Jan Myrda, who recently won the Lake Katherine Break for the Lake 5K for the third consecutive year.

Myrda, 44, crossed the finish line in 18 minutes, 7 seconds. The fastest female finisher was Marjorie Novotney, 32, of Evergreen Park, with a time of 25:49.

Myrda wasn’t the only member of his family to take top prize, as he cheered each of his three children to a first or seond place finish in their age categories. Eleven-year-old Bart finished in 24:34, taking first place in the boys 14 and under category. His sisters Madzia, 14, and Kasia, 15, finished in 33:10 and 33:11, respectively. Madzia was first in the girls 14 and under age group; Kasia took second in the 15 to 19 female category.

“I was very proud to finish the race with my children,” said Myrda, who has an impressive history as an athlete having previously competed in the national cross-country ski team for Poland from 1990 to 1996. ”We love running together. It is nice to share an interest as a family.”

Almost 100 runners competed in the race, running a scenic route around Lake Katherine taking in lake, forest and prairie despite rainy conditions.

Proceeds from the race will go towards children’s programs, ecological restoration and animal care at the non-profit nature center.

Other sponsors for the event include Access Physical Therapy, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Hunt Insurance Group, MMBS & Associates, LLC, Crossfit Beverly, Running Excels, Republic Services, Nick’s Barbecue II and Associates in Professional Counseling and Coaching.