DE PERE , Wis. — With the clang of a cowbell, Em Von Der Ruhr and other volunteers from St. Norbert College helped runners in the Hot Cider Hustle Sunday.
The run was being held under sunny skies and temperatures that climbed into the middle-60s by late morning.
Von Der Ruhr was helping at a water and sports drink station in De Pere, Wis.“We’ve been ringing our cowbells, cheering for everyone, passing out the drinks. I’ve been having a lot of fun cheering everyone on,” she said. “I love seeing everyone smile as they’re running past feeling exhausted but then all these random strangers are just rooting for you and it really gives you that extra burst of energy."
The weather was ideal, too.
“It’s beautiful weather. I am so happy for all the runners today. I know as a runner myself, if I were running in it, this is gold,” Von Der Ruhr said. “This is amazing. I bet it’s even a little bit warm for some runners if they really layered up.”
Many people across the state got out and enjoyed warmer than normal temperatures Saturday and Sunday.
Communities around the state saw highs in the 70s, while La Crosse, Wis. hit the 80s on Saturday.
It was also a good weekend for Codie Burmeister of Green Bay, Wis. to return to fishing.
“To try something I haven’t tried in a few years, and it’s not a bad weekend to do it,” said Burmeister, while fishing along the Fox River.
While it may have felt like summer for two days, it won’t last.
“Summer is definitely over, winter is on its way either way so there’s no point dwelling on it,” said Burmeister.
Von Der Rurh said she knows what’s coming, too. But that’s in the future.
“I’m definitely seeing this as a bonus and taking advantage of it. I’ll be going for my own little run later today, but a much shorter run from what everyone else here is doing," said Von Der Rurh.