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, 2024’s race directors include Kaitlin Schlundt, Melissa Wilhelm, and Aaron & Brittany Hose.
With the help of volunteer workers from Volm, CoVantage, and the Antigo cross country and track teams, the event hosts over 300 participants each year. Funds raised support Antigo high school cross country teams and other youth organizations Since the race began, over $110,000 has been given away to local schools, athletic teams, and more!
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, 2024’s race directors include Kaitlin Schlundt, Melissa Wilhelm, and Aaron & Brittany Hose.
With the help of volunteer workers from Volm, CoVantage, and the Antigo cross country and track teams, the event hosts over 300 participants each year. Funds raised support Antigo high school cross country teams and other youth organizations Since the race began, over $110,000 has been given away to local schools, athletic teams, and more!