Our History
Local runners John "Doc" McKenna and Pat Diercks started the Antigo Tater Trot fundraiser in 1980 to benefit the local cross-country team. Two years later, in 1982, McKenna and Diercks passed the duties of race director on to Tom Koss, who was a member of the Antigo Optimist Club.
At that time, the Optimists were the main sponsors along with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Association. Koss had the support of the Optimist Club and various members have helped out ever since.
In the late 1980's, Joe Filbrandt took over as race director. It was then that the tradition of the ceramic tater trot trophy for winners of the 10k event in each of the various age categories began. At that time, the oldest age category was 50+. Today it is 70+.
Tom Waidelich also started helping out as a co-race director around 1990 and Dan Stoehr became involved in 1991. Around 1995, Dan Auner replaced Filbrandt and, for the next ten years, Waidelich, Auner and Stoehr ran the race (pardon the pun!) along with a lot of help from Optimist Club members. In 2005, Stoehr took over as solo race director.
In 2010, CoVantage Credit Union and Volm Companies, Inc., joined Stoehr and the Optimist Club in the responsibilities of coordinating this annual fundraising community event. Since that time, the event has grown with post-race activities. This family-friendly event now draws people from all over the country.
In 2021, Stoehr stepped down as a race director, with CoVantage and Volm employees continuing to champion the event.
The 2026 race directors include Kaitlin Schlundt, and Aaron & Brittany Hose.
With the help of volunteer workers from Volm, CoVantage Credit Union, and the Antigo cross country and track teams, the event hosts over 300 participants each year. Since 1980, the Tater Trot has donated nearly $120,000 to local schools and athletic organizations that promote healthy lifestyles and support student-athletes. The annual event connects the teams, school district, and community and helps sustain local student-athlete programs and area organizations. The 2025 recipients included the AHS Track Team, AHS Cross Country Team, Elementary Track & Field Day, Peace Lutheran School, All Saints Catholic School, Antigo Middle School Athletics, Jack Lake Silent Trails Association, and Antigo High School Art Club.
At that time, the Optimists were the main sponsors along with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Association. Koss had the support of the Optimist Club and various members have helped out ever since.
In the late 1980's, Joe Filbrandt took over as race director. It was then that the tradition of the ceramic tater trot trophy for winners of the 10k event in each of the various age categories began. At that time, the oldest age category was 50+. Today it is 70+.
Tom Waidelich also started helping out as a co-race director around 1990 and Dan Stoehr became involved in 1991. Around 1995, Dan Auner replaced Filbrandt and, for the next ten years, Waidelich, Auner and Stoehr ran the race (pardon the pun!) along with a lot of help from Optimist Club members. In 2005, Stoehr took over as solo race director.
In 2010, CoVantage Credit Union and Volm Companies, Inc., joined Stoehr and the Optimist Club in the responsibilities of coordinating this annual fundraising community event. Since that time, the event has grown with post-race activities. This family-friendly event now draws people from all over the country.
In 2021, Stoehr stepped down as a race director, with CoVantage and Volm employees continuing to champion the event.
The 2026 race directors include Kaitlin Schlundt, and Aaron & Brittany Hose.
With the help of volunteer workers from Volm, CoVantage Credit Union, and the Antigo cross country and track teams, the event hosts over 300 participants each year. Since 1980, the Tater Trot has donated nearly $120,000 to local schools and athletic organizations that promote healthy lifestyles and support student-athletes. The annual event connects the teams, school district, and community and helps sustain local student-athlete programs and area organizations. The 2025 recipients included the AHS Track Team, AHS Cross Country Team, Elementary Track & Field Day, Peace Lutheran School, All Saints Catholic School, Antigo Middle School Athletics, Jack Lake Silent Trails Association, and Antigo High School Art Club.