Lost Nation’s Rustic Run

By Ken Marshall (wrote in 1997)

Updated by Mitch Rutenbeck (2006)

The Rustic Run first appeared on the scene in Lost Nation onJuly 18, 1987.  The very existence of the Rustic Run and its evolution into one of the premier races in Eastern Iowa can be traced directly to the enthusiasm, energy, and vision of the Keitel twins Jim and Joe.

The story is an interesting one beginning in January of 1987 at a meeting of the Lost Nation Booster Club. They were looking for something to add to the summer celebration to attract area people into Lost Nation and showcase the town.  Jim, an area farmer, a prominent Eastern Iowa runner, and vice president of the Booster Club, suggested a road race.  Approval was given.  Joe was recruited to be co-director.  Joe at that time was a student at IowaState and also working in the Hiawatha area in the summer.  Joe’s ties to the Ames, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City areas would prove to be crucial in selling a new race in a small town that no one in the running community had ever heard of! Miraculously, there were 167 entries that first year (a feat unheard of in those days for a first time race.)

Many far-reaching decisions had to be made between January and July: name of the race, distance, course, date, start time, age divisions, etc.  People from the area who had never seen a road race had to be recruited and trained to handle registrants, water stops, traffic control, finish line chute, results, etc.  Local organizations were recruited for traffic control (Lion’s Club), finish line water and medical support (Fire Department/EMT’s), and someone to start the race with a gun (Legion).  Individuals volunteered for other positions, many have helped with every race since the beginning!  Many even run the race.  What made the race a success was the energy and support that came from the outside runners coming into Lost Nation and the quality of organization that staff showed.

The race was to start, finish, and hold its award ceremony at RusticPark, so naturally the name Rustic Run and Rustic Days came to be.  The Brothers Keitel were known for their innovative ideas and a great pride in Lost Nation.  This made the Rustic Run become and continues to be a trend setter.  The Rustic Run was one of the first races to offer two races the same day, unique distances (4 mile and 1 mile), cutting edge T-Shirts, and mailed results.  Other original ideas that were implemented were unique age divisions, prize money, and mugs given as awards.

The one mile race, not normally run as a road race in 1987, was intended for local youngsters and families. The concept worked well, shown by the fact that 75% of entries in the one mile still come from the local area. Many locals have won age group awards and there have been ten families (all with local connections) to have three generations of family complete the race.  However, elite runners coming in requested adult, competitive divisions resulting in course records set by college runners from Loras and Central Michigan colleges.

The distance and the course of the feature race needed to vary from the normal flat, fast 10K races of the early 80’s to attract and return prominent runners to Lost Nation.  The four mile distance was decided upon with a course zigzagging through Lost Nation’s residential and business sections for 2 miles, then 1 ½ miles of hilly gravel roads, and finally a ½ a mile of a rustic finish on the old railroad bed east of town back in to Rustic Park.

The proximity of the nationally prominent Quad Cities’ Bix 7 was first though to be a detriment, but the relatively short, difficult course has made the Rustic Run a popular, competitive race for the area usually drawing in the “hot” circuit runners for that year. For example, the course record was once set by the then reigning Big 10 Conference outdoor track 10K champ from the University of Iowa.

To retain local flavor and encourage local participation in the four mile race, an award to recognize the first local runner (male and female) to finish was established.  The plaque commemorating achievements of the local runners hangs in the Lost Nation Post Office.

Entry forms the first few years were hand carried by directors and local runners to other area races and distributed.  Now race forms are mailed out, emailed out, taken to running specialty stores, and included in running club news letters as well as taken to races.  Entry forms also include a map of Eastern Iowa with directions to Lost Nation.  To date, runners have come from more that 11 states and Ireland.  Awards have gone out of state to runners fromColorado, Wisconsin,Florida, Kentucky,Michigan, Illinois,Virginia, and Ireland!!

The Rustic Run t-shirts were instantly popular.  The first few years not enough were printed and had to be reordered.  Now local residents have opportunity to order t-shirts before runners.  The Rustic Run is the only known area race to offer this option.  Rustic Run t-shirts are seen at area races, out of state races, mailed for former area residents, as well a worn locally.  The last few years there have even been requests to have shirts mailed to people who have never even heard of Lost Nation until accidentally coming across the town’s or race’s website.

Race Director Jim Keitel was nominated by the Booster Club member Robert Schroeder and received a plaque for community service and leadership from Gov. Brandstad in 1987 for his efforts at the initial Rustic Run.  In a survey of runners taken by the QC Times in 1989, Jim was voted “best race director.”  The leadership of the race has changed over the years; Jim and Joe Keitel serving from 1987 to 1992.  Ken Marshall and Joe Keitel were directors from 1993 to 1995.  Al and Kelly Schroeder, Ken Marshall, and Joe Keitel were directors in 1996.  Al, Kelly, and Ken were directors from 1997 until November of 1998 when Ken Marshall was killed in a tragic farm accident.  Al and Kelly Schroeder continued the hard work on their own until the reigns were passed in 2003 to Mitch Rutenbeck, the nephew of the Keitel brothers, who reamins current director.

Race directors have always utilized local talent, energies, and connections to put on the Rustic Run. The calling on former residents to help promote the race and come home to run and volunteer on race day still remains strong to this day.  The lasting quality of the race makes Lost Nation proud of the Rustic Run.  It has accomplished the intended purpose of furnishing something for youngsters of Lost Nation and showcasing the town and will continue to do so in the future.