michigan runner, may / june 2010

Glenda Card,Oak Park, Michigan,qualifies for Boston

Michigan Runner - May / June 20102

In This IssueMay / June 2010 Vol. 32, No. 2

Glenda Card of Oak Park, Michigan finishes the Scotiabank Toronto WaterfrontMarathon in a Boston Marathon qualifying time, September 27, 2009.Photo courtesy Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Features & Departments

CalendarMay - August 2010 p. 30

Marathon Calendar p. 28

Editor’s Notes: Blow Up By Scott Sullivan p. 4

Running Canada from Coast to Coast By Art McCafferty p. 6

Beyond the Chip: Mix It UP By Desiree Davila p. 10

Barefoot-Running Movement Gaining Ground By Ron Marinucci p. 12

Book Review: Tarahumara Tale Entices and Entertains By Dave Foley p. 13

Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard p. 14

Notes on the Run: 101 Reasons I Run, Part 1 By Daniel G. Kelsey p. 15

Record High School Run Fills Soul By Rachael Steil p. 16

Should All Courses Be Certified? An Exchange p. 18

Michigan Runner Race Series p. 19

Running with Tom Henderson p. 56

Shillalegh Stars Come Back in Rain to Win By Charles Douglas McEwen p. 8

Prep Athletes Set New Records Photos by Pete Draugalis p. 9

Doha Hosts Thrilling World Indoor Meet By Gary Morgan p. 11

Veteran Survives Teen at Roney Run By Charles Douglas McEwen p. 17

Climbers, Proceeds Soar at ALA Fight for Air By Charles Douglas McEwen p. 20

GR Runners Step Up for Challenge, Air By Grant Lofdahl p. 20

Locals Lead Field at C-Ville Chill By Grant Lofdahl p. 21

Town Crier Makes ‘Cruel’ Cool By Scott Sullivan p. 22

KC Ridge Run, Minus Sauerkraut, Rambles On By Daniel G. Kelsey p. 24

Photos: Horizon League Championships, St. Patrick’s Day Races, Bay City, Nike

Indoor Nationals p. 25

Corktown Boasts New Course, Record Crowds By Charles Douglas McEwen p. 26

Martian Invasion of Races Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios p. 27

NCAA DI Indoor National T & F Championships

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios p. 58

At the Races

4 Michigan Runner - May / June 2010

AlanisMorissette

was wrongwhen shesang that“everythingblows up inyour face.”Things blowup in a lotof places.Like my leftknee.

Picture, atage 55,playing bas-ketball withkids half

your age. Picture, as you jump, realizing menhalf your age are not “kids” nor has gravitybeen your friend lately ...

It’s been crutches since then. I curse kiss-ing goodbye to spring running while knowingI should have known better. Now I sit, grow-ing fatter than former basketball star CharlesBarkley, watching others play while I mull mynext career. Not playing basketball — thatone never got off the ground — but aftermagazines.

My late father-in-law, a journalist, coun-seled my wife-to-be not to be one. “Printmagazines are dinosaurs,” he said 30 yearsago. At last this is sinking in for me. So is theknowledge I’m better fit to do something else(as those who have read this far will agree).

Since everyone is looking for secondcareers as IT professionals, I planned tobecome a pro Macarena dancer — a less-competitive market — before blowing up myknee.

How about cartoonist? In sixth grade Imade up a strip called “Hal.” Panels Oneand Two always set up a story, Hal pushed adynamite plunger in Three and Four alwaysshowed everything exploding.

I valued consistency as a boy. Now Icount on nothing. Working for magazines?Tenuous. Knee that works? Gone. An ITcareer? What is IT? Where’s my plunger?

My daughter Flannery, 10, aspires to be a

cartoonist. Most of her characters are cat-people who wear scarves and stroll throughpanels towards resolutions. What is it withwomen and character development? Guysdon’t have time for it. Three panels and anni-hilation: now that’s a strip.

At least she, unlike me, can draw. Ibecame a photographer, inspired byMichelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 movie “Blow-Up.” In it, a London fashion photographer,making enlargements (or “blow-ups”) of pic-tures, finds clues of a murder.

“Blow-Up” was shot during dinosaurdays of film, but murder is evergreen as astory line. Today we would blow up pixels,the smallest units of digital pictures, much asscientists did with atoms when I was young,to investigate.

People connect the same dots a millionways; when we pull them apart, only onething happens ...

***

You wait on x-ray and MRI results,Godot and your next appointment.When your doctor says you have frac-

tured your lateral tibia plateau, you think, “Isthere no end of things I have never heardabout I can fracture?”

When he says, “Stay on crutches fourweeks, maybe then start swimming, but don’trun for three months,” you think,“Impossible. How will I learn all my bodyparts if I don’t exercise till I break them?”

***

If calamity is inevitable, why wait? I saypursue it! Write while you can, play bas-ketball, run, draw cartoons, do the

Macarena ...

I expect to have no need for knees in mynext career. No magazines, plungers, camerasor other dinosaurs born to be wild en routeto extinction.

Morissette’s song “Ironic” ends, “Lifehas a funny way of helping you out” — apreposition dangled so it could mean “Lifehas a funny way of helping you” or “helpingyou out” of something.

Like life itself. MR

Blow Up

Editor’s Notes

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By Scott Sullivan


By Art McCafferty

Ilove Canada. My family originated fromNew Brunswick, my father came toMichigan at age 16, his father followed

and then the rest of the McCafferties arrivedand settled in Detroit. I came here in 1940.

I took a great father-and-son trip to visitDad’s birthplace in New Brunswick when Iwas 15. I was so impacted by the people andplaces I saw that I felt a need to revisit thecountry whenever I had the opportunity.

Since then I’ve returned to run theMontreal and Toronto marathons, skiedBanff, Searchmont, Blue Mountainand Mont-Sainte-Anne. Of late, I havereported and recorded running events in

Victoria, Edmonton, Niagara, London,Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.Last February our company, Great LakesSports Publications, reported on the WinterOlympics from Vancouver.

Thousands of Michigan runners enjoyedgreat Canadian races earlier in this decade.The impact of 9/11 on border crossings andstrengthened Canadian currency have slowedtraffic somewhat lately.

But it is still worth the effort to visitCanada, participate in its running events andsoak in its culture. The following races areones we have covered or run and especiallyrecommend. We’ve provided Web sites andlinks to videos we have taken, to give you aflavor of their locales and festive spirits.

Around the Bay 30K,Hamilton, Ontario(Last week in March)Web: www.aroundthebayroadrace.comVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2007/around thebay/

North America’s oldest road race wasoriginally sponsored by The Hamilton Heraldnewspaper and cigar store owner “Billy”Carroll. It was first run on Christmas Day1894 and continues to attract many storiedrunners.

The course around Hamilton is a delight;however, the fickleness of late-March temper-atures and winds coming off Lake Ontariocan present cold challenges. It has sold out

The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia serves as Royal Victoria Marathon race headquarters.

Running Canadafrom Coast to Coast

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for the last four years, so make reservationsearly for 2011.

Forest City Road Races,London, Ontario(May 2)Web: www.forestcityroadraces.comVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2006forestcity/

Forest City Road Races begins its 28thyear sans its marathon. It experienced arecord turnout in 2009, with 2,474 runnersregistering in its different races.

The 2010 event takes place a week earlierthan usual and will consist of a half marathon,10K, 5K and 1K fun run. London is a beautifulcity with great parks and a scenic course. Youwill enjoy your run and visit there.

Mississauga Marathon,Mississauga, Ontario(May 15-16)Web: www.mississaugamarathon.comVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2008mississauga/

This recent upstart has found an eagerfollowing. Mississauga, adjacent to Toronto,is Canada’s sixth-largest and fastest-growingmajor city, with a 729,000 population repre-senting cultures from around the world. Thecity is also a corporate capital, with close to55,000 registered businesses of 425 or moreemployees and 61 Fortune 500 Canadian ormajor divisional head offices.

Mississauga is a point-to-point course starting at city halland ending in one of the city’sgreat parks. Runners go fromskyscrapers to parks and thenrun along Lake Ontario. Theevent is well run and continuesgrowing.

Ottawa RaceWeekend, Ottawa,Ontario(May 29-30)Web: www.ncm.caVideo: michiganrun-ner.tv/2006ingottawa/

This is the biggie inCanadian road races. Last year’s35th anniversary saw newrecords for attendance, timesand fundraising, as more than36,000 participants lined up torun in one the seven races. Thehalf marathon was largest atjust over 10,400 entrants, withthe 10K close behind it.

There are a ton of things to see and do inthe nation’s capital, including governmentbuildings, embassies and museums. Ottawa isa great place to run in, too.

Edmonton Marathon,Edmonton, Alberta(Aug. 21-22)Web: canadianderbymarathon.caVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2006ingedomonton/

The Edmonton Marathon has a newsponsor, Intact Insurance, and new coursethis year. The start/finish is now atNorthlands Park racetrack, with plenty ofindoor washrooms and change areas. Theexpo, registration and bag-check areas will beindoors in the multi-million-dollar racetrackgrandstand. Plenty of free parking, a freefamily fun zone and food services will also beavailable on race weekend.

The event also offers a half marathon,marathon relays, shorter distances and aRunning Room Friendship Run the daybefore. Running Room founder John Stantonstarted this run in his hometown nearly adecade ago.

The out-and-back course takes youthrough the heart of the city by following theNorth Saskatchewan River valley. It showcas-es the beauty of this great town.

Marathon Oasis de Montreal,

Montreal(Sept. 5)Web: www.marathondemontreal.comVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2009montreal/

The race starts on the Jacques CartierBridge, drops for a couple kilometers at theIle Ste. Helene, then heads into the city to fin-ish in Stade Olympique. For those of youwho love running bridges, this ranks right upthere with the Verrazano-Narrows start in theNew York City Marathon.

Montreal is an international city set onthe St. Lawrence River. Its old town is greatto knock around in, there is much to see bythe waterfront, shopping is A-1 and the peo-ple are charming. We look forward to againcovering this spectacular race this year.

Scotiabank TorontoWaterfront Marathon, Toronto(Sept. 26)Web: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.comVideo: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/videos.htm.

Last year Kenneth Mungara ran thefastest-ever marathon on Canadiansoil (2:08:32) and Amane Gobena set a newwomen’s course record (2:28:31). The almost20,000 participants raised $2.3 million for 99local charities; all were records too.

Among Montreal’s many attractions is Vieux Montreal, the old city.

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Scotiabank and race director AlanBrookes provide a first-rate event involvingmost of the city and giving back millions tocharities that support it. Last year JoanBenoit Samuelson helped celebrate their 20thanniversary. This race draws more Michiganrunners than any throughout the land.

Brookes again promises a “flat, fast andfestive” course through Canada’s largest city.

Royal Victoria Marathon,Victoria, British Columbia(Oct. 10)Web: royalvictoriamarathon.comVideo: glsp.com/2009rvm/

We were on hand last year to capture theexcitement of the 30th running of this race,which ranks No. 1 in Canada for mostBoston Marathon qualifiers.

Victoria, south of Vancouver and north-west of Seattle, rarely sees snow as its weath-er is tempered by the Straits of Georgia andPacific Ocean. It is at the southernmost tip ofVancouver Island and can be accessed byferry from both nearby cities as well by asmall-but-efficient airport.

The course introduces runners to this his-toric city, then heads out to run through thesuburbs and alongside the Straits. It is memo-rable in every way.

GoodLife TorontoMarathon, Toronto(Oct. 17)Web: www.torontomarathon.comVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2008toronto/

The Toronto Marathon will be run forthe 33rd time this year. While the course haschanged from time to time, it remains themostly flat-and-fast one on which I set my3:26-and-change personal record many yearsand a few pounds ago. It is one of fourNorth American races selected by Runner’sWorld magazine for special coverage in 2010.

Toronto is one of the top five cities in theWestern Hemisphere, so try to stay over aday or two to check it out.

Niagara Falls InternationalMarathon, Niagara Falls,Ontario(Oct. 24)Web: www.niagarafallsmarathon.comVideo: michiganrunner.tv/2008niagara/

This favorite, which began in 1974 as theSkylon Marathon, was and still is the onlymarathon in the world that starts in one coun-try and finishes in another. Portions of thecourse were used by the U.S. twice for OlympicMarathon Trials. It continues to grow underrace director Jim Ralston’s steady hand.

Outside of running up and over the PeaceBridge between the U.S. and Canada, thecourse is flat and fast. It features the greatestfinish line in the world alongside the falls.

There you have it: a tour of Canadianrunning events, accompanied by videossharing their energy and beauty. We

recommend every one.

Michigan Runner publisher andCEO Art McCafferty helped found

the magazine 32 years ago. MR

Shillelagh Stars Come Back in Rain to WinBy Charles Douglas McEwen

FLUSHING (3/13/10) — College studentsTimothy Cassady and Sarah Drevon engi-neered come-from-behind triumphs in a cold,steady rain at the Shillelagh Four-Mile Run,which had a new course this year.

Cassady, an Oakland University sopho-more, fell behind Brandon Johnson, 25, ofOwosso during the first two miles.

“He had a good 20-second lead at onepoint,” said Cassady. “I started surging dur-ing the second mile and crept closer to him.”

He caught Johnson after the three-milemark. “I tried to push myself to stay withhim at that point,” Johnson said. “We wereside-by-side for the last mile, then he out-kicked me at the end.”

Cassady finished in 21:19, Johnson in21:20. Next came Jason Jaloszynski, 32, ofClio (22:25) and Benjamin Sievert, 16, ofFrankenmuth (22:54). Winston Stoody, 49, ofFenton was the masters winner in 23:26.

Cassady enjoyed having competitionfrom Johnson.“He gave me incentive to chase

him down. I had fun going after him,” saidthe winner, a Flushing High School graduatewho had an edge knowing the course betterthan his rival.

“I liked the course a lot,” he continued.“It had some hills but not many turns, whichis good because it allows you to open upyour stride.”

Johnson was happy with his own per-formance. “It’s my first time running a four-mile,” he said. “So my time’s a PR, I guess.”

Drevon, a freshman at Grand Valley StateUniversity, was surprised by her win in thewomen’s race.

“I’m just coming off a hip injury, so Istarted slow,” she said. “My first mile waslike 7:20. I usually start out my 5Ks in 6:05.”

Drevon passed a few women over thefirst couple miles, then began focusing onJennifer Tiemann, 34, of Linden, who was insecond at the time.

“She passed me at the three-mile mark,”said Tiemann. “I was ‘hitting the wall’ so shewent right by me. She passed the lead girl

pretty quickly too.”

Drevon stormed to the finish line in26:48 — far ahead of runner-up KristinKachnowski, 39, of Wixom (27:51). Tiemannfinished third in 28:02. Masters queen ReneeChampagne, 40, of Milford was fourth over-all in 28:36.

Runners received carnations at the finishline. And the Shillelagh run had plenty ofIrish spirit.

“It’s fun to see everyone wearing green,”Tiemann said. “I was surprised at how manypeople came out to run in the pouring rain.”

The event, coordinated by RiverbendStriders, had 658 participants: about 30 morethan last year.

The Shillelagh Four-Mile Walk was wonby Rick Huber, 53, of Montrose (39:21) andLynette Heinlein, 53, of Vassar (40:24). Funalso included a 1/4-mile Leprechaun Lope forkids.

For complete results, go towww.gaultracemanagement.com. MR

Shillelagh Four Mile Run, Flushing


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Prep Athletes Set a New State Recordand a Bunch of New Meet Records at

Michigan Indoor Track Series Championships

Bridgette Owens-Mitchell,60 meter hurdles, 8:35,

new state record

Reed Kamszek, 3200m,9:05.59,

new meet record

Soul Train, distance medley relay12:04.12, new meet record

Sarah Birkmeier, pole vault,12-06, new meet record

Kendall Baisden,200m, 24.14,

new meet record

Megan Goethals,3200m, 10:26.98,new meet record

Nick Kaiser,800m, 1:53.38,

new meet record

Hannah Meier,1600m, 4:56.34,

new meet record

Photos by Pete Draugalis

MITS Championships, Bob Parks Track-Eastern Michigan, Ypsilanti, February 27, 2010



By Desiree Davila

Everything seemed in a haze. I rubbedmy eyes; it wasn’t tired eyes, but a finesandy dust filling the sky.

Four of us — Sara Hall, Anna Willard-Pierce, Erin Donohue and I — began runningthe 3-mile, track-surfaced path that followedthe perimeter of the Aspire sports facility,sharing friendly conversation. I checked mywatch: Saturday, March 6, close to 85degrees this morning. It didn’t take long towork up a sweat, something I wasn’t used toat this time of year training back inMichigan.

I rubbed my eyes again, but the haze stilllingered in the air as the Middle East sandbegan to stick to my skin. Our little group —the others mid-distance track specialists, me amarathoner — worked through an easy 6-miler, a nice shakeout leading up to theWorld Indoor Championships in Doha,Qatar. “What the hell am I doing here?” Iwondered.

This winter I decided to try somethingdifferent. I believe it’s important to mixthings up in training, and for me that meansworking on speed and strength. This trainingsegment was about getting my legs turningover and trying to build speed.

At the start of my winter segment itseemed like a fun, fresh idea — a good wayto get in aggressive racing and take some

risks. Or maybe I just subconsciously wantedto avoid running outside all winter andmasked it as a chance to work on speed.Whatever the reasons, my marathon mindand legs decided to make a drastic changeand try out some 3000-meter indoor trackraces.

Winter became a whirlwind leading allthe way up to the World Championships.First, a quick race in Boston, where I snaggedmy time standard. It was a step in the right

direction towards what still seemed to me along shot.

Then it was back to Michigan for astring of indoor speed workouts, a quick tripto Florida to get on an outdoor track andmove fast, and finally, off to Albuquerque,N.M., for the Indoor Nationals.

After a fourth-place finish at Nationals,my shot at making the World team seemedover as the U.S. would only take its top two.About 28 hours later, I got the call to packmy bags yet again; the athletes in front of mehad decided not to go to Qatar. I would beleaving for Doha in three days.

Something else went on all the while: meadjusting physically to the foreign anduntapped regimen of running repeat 400s,800s and 1600s — all fast. There was a shiftin my race mentality; I was learning to aban-don the patient and relaxed approach of themarathon. I was getting ready to roll fromthe the gun, all out, for what seemed to melike a sprint.

Three months earlier, the idea of makinga World Indoor Championship team seemedimpossible. Yet here I stood on the line of the3000 finals among the world’s best.Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar waited off to theright of me and Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot onthe left. The packed stadium roared so loud Icould not hear the starter’s gun; the only signthat the race had begun was that start of thetiming clock. It was one of the greatest racingexperiences of my life.

Mention running 3Ks to marathonersand most will scoff. I would have done so tooprior to this winter. We tend to stay in ourown little bubbles, with our heads down andsticking to the same routines.

From time to time, we all need to dragourselves off of the beaten path and mixthings up. It doesn’t have to be the most dras-tic thing in the world — start small, try a dif-ferent loop, invite a new running partner tothe group, or even ditch the headphones for aday and just listen to ourselves think for afull run.

You just might surprise yourself and finda new talent, experience something you didn’tthink possible, or learn something aboutyourself that you never knew.

Team Hansons-Brooks runner Desiree Davilaplaced 10th in the World Indoor

Championship finals on March 13.

Mix It UpBeyond the Chip

Kevin Hanson and Desi Davila inDoha, Qatar for the IAAF WorldIndoor Championships.

Desiree Davila (3rd from left) races to a 10th place finish in the IAAFWorld Indoor Championships 3000 meter run, Aspire Zone stadium,Doha, Qatar.

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Doha Hosts Thrilling World Indoor MeetBy Gary Morgan

I knew going to Doha,Qatar, for the IAAF WorldIndoor Championships inMarch was going to be dif-ferent. It was my first timein the Middle East, so thatmade it an interesting desti-nation.

I was an event managerfor USA Track & Field, ajob I had never done before.Nobody knew quite what toexpect on this trip, but we’dheard that Doha was amodern city accepting ofwesterners even though itwas an Islamic nation. Solet the adventure begin.

I flew there a few daysearly with the USATF staff tocheck out our accommodations. The Dohaorganizing committee accommodated every-thing we asked for.

The indoor arena where the meet washeld had a track, swimming pool, weightrooms and basketball courts. It was called theAspire Zone; “Aspire Today, InspireTomorrow” was its motto.

The outdoor facilities were just as great:practice track, running trails with mondo sur-face, soccer fields, park with water fountains,plus a soccer stadium ringed by a track usedfor the 2006 Asian Games. It even had a 500-foot-high torch.

To top it off, there wasa beautiful mall on thegrounds to shop at.Everything in one spot.Every athlete’s dream.

A tour of the PersianGulf city showed modernbuildings going up every-where; Doha is becomingthe next Dubai. There was apark with a four-mile run-ning-walking trail, linedwith palms and flowers, allalong the water. I had to runearly because temperaturesrose into the 90’s most days.

We had lunch at an oldmarket called the Souk,where merchants sold every-thing from souvenirs tohousewares to outdoor café

items. It was a mix of tourists and locals, allin on spot.

The rest of the team came a week beforecompetition started. That’s when the excite-ment started. I headed to the outdoor trackearly every day to made sure there was lots ofwater, Gatorade and whatever else our ath-letes needed for daily training.

All the athletes trained outside until theday before the meet started; that’s when theylet them run on the indoor track. The weath-er was perfect in the mornings and late after-noons to train outside: sunny and 75 degrees.Only at mid-day did it get really hot.

A great mix of USATF coaches, personal

coaches and trainers workedwith the athletes every day,among them Bob Larson,Terrance Mahon, AndrewValmon, Ramona Pagel andGwen Wentland (formerGrand Blanc High Schoolhigh-jump star). The U.S.team boasted superstars suchas Bernard Lagat, ChristianCantwell, Terrence Tramelland others.

They let me take onemorning off, so I went for adesert dune ride and rode acamel. Then the driver tookus all over the dunes: ablast. We stopped at a placecalled the Inland Sea, whereI waded in water, picked upseashells and could seeSaudi Arabia on the otherside.

The three-day meet finally got underwaywith qualifying rounds March 12. Hopeswere high and everyone was excited. DesireeDavila of Michigan’s Team Hansons-Brooksfurnished one of the big surprises, qualifyingfor the 3000-meter finals in 8:51.08, a nine-second PR for her.

Saturday’s first round of finals saw ahuge Ethiopian crowd on hand to cheer ontheir land’s great runners. Desi gave her all inthe 3000 but was a bit tired from yesterday’srace and finished a few seconds slower.America’s Lolo Jones won the 60-meter hur-dles, a big return for her after a few years ofdisappointments. Cantwell won the shot put.

Lagat and the U.S. men’s4x400 relay team won theirheats to qualify for theirfinals Sunday.

It was all finals Sunday.The U.S. team really pouredit on as Debbie Dunn wonthe women’s 400, Lagatwins the men’s 3000 andboth men’s and women’steams win their 4x400relays. When the dust hadsettled, Team USA toppedthe medals count with 17.The meet’s last medals wereawarded during a big ban-quet at a Gulf resort.

Doha showed it candeliver a great event and Iexpect to see more hostedhere. MR

IAAF World Indoor Championships, Doha, Qatar

Gary Morgan went for a desert dune ride and rode a camel.

Shopping in Doha, Qatar on the Aspire Zone grounds.

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By Ron Marinucci

Remember Robert Parker’s 1966 sillysong and dance “Barefootin’”? “We’rebarefootin.’ We don’t have no shoes

on!”

Barefootin’ has returned, to running ofall places. It hasn’t reached anywhere nearthe status of a craze, but at least two nationalpublications and numerous blogs have pre-sented its pros and cons. ChristopherMcDougall’s recent bestseller “Born to Run”(See review elsewhere in this issue) broughtbarefoot running to center stage.

“Running shoeless?” one is inclined toask. “Are you nuts?” But the practice isattracting advocates and, although it’s not foreveryone, it is worth a look.

The premise behind barefoot running isthat it compels us to run like our ancientancestors, who had no shoes or minimalfootwear. The advent of modern, high-tech,well-cushioned shoes has caused us to getaway from our natural running form, leadingto injuries and pain.

McDougall’s “Born to Run” centersaround the Tarahumara Indians of northernMexico. They are known for their ultra-dis-tance running — miles and days at a time —without shoes or, sometimes, with simple tiretreads lashed to their feet. They supposedlysuffer few, if any, injuries.

Modern shoes, the concept goes, aredetrimental to runners. With their consider-able cushioning, they restrict the natural elas-ticity and flexibility of our feet and legs.Running barefoot develops a stride and footstrike that delivers less shock and impact tothe feet.

McDougall and “Barefoot Ted”McDonald, a primary character in “Born toRun,” are avid proponents of barefootin.’Both suffered a variety of serious runninginjuries and considered giving up the sportuntil they ditched their shoes.

Each now runs ultra-distances regularly,pain-free. Former Olympic and nowUniversity of Oregon track coach VinLananna is also an advocate. He has his run-ners train, at least part of the time, withoutshoes. Lananna is convinced they have fewerinjuries and even run faster times.

Today’s cushioned shoes lead runners to

land on their heels. Barefoot runners tend tostrike surfaces with their mid- and forefeet.Running like this, as our prehistoric relativesdid, forces the body to develop the proper,efficient running form.

Without shoes, the body learns to landmore softly on the fore- and midfoot. Thelegs, feet and entire body instinctively adjustto the running surface, be it dirt, asphalt oreven concrete. This allows the foot to springback more easily, like elastic.

Although most evidence is anecdotal, cur-rent studies suggest barefoot running can helpat least some runners avoid injuries. But it’simportant to note there is no hard evidencethat running shoeless is beneficial. No studiesshow that running unshod prevents injuriesor that running with shoes causes them.

Barefoot Ted and some others do all, orat least most, of their running without shoes.Most barefooters, though, still train in shoesmore often than not. They use barefoot run-ning a few miles a week or during parts ofdaily workouts, to improve their foot strikes,strides and general running form.

Those considering barefootin’ for the firsttime are urged to start slowly. The feet andlegs require time to adjust and strengthen.Soreness, especially in the quadriceps andcalves, often develops because of the newstride, foot strike and body’s adjustment tothem. But it usually doesn’t last.

At least two shoemakers, Vibram andNike, make models that claim to simulatebarefoot running. These shoes have little orno cushioning and weigh as little as fiveounces. They do, however, provide some pro-tection from glass, rocks, stones and the ele-ments. Several other companies are develop-ing similar shoes, likely to be unveiled laterthis year, for what they see as a potentialmarket.

Stu Allen of Flint is among state runnerswho have become barefoot running converts.Although he has only “been experimentingwith it” for a few months, “so far I’m quitepleased with results,” he said.

Allen, a severe heel striker, sufferedthrough a series of injuries, including Achillestendon problems and stress fractures of bothheels. He had always trained in well-cush-ioned shoes, even using inserts for extra heelcushioning. After all of the pain and downtime, he thought he would give something

else a try.

Allen went through drills with DustinJenkins of Elite Feet in Lapeer. Jenkins taughthim how to land not on his heels, but “onthe balls of my feet … under my body insteadof out in front,” Allen said.

He now runs twice weekly on a treadmillwearing Vibram 5-Finger shoes/sandals.“They simulate barefoot running with a bitof protection,” Allen said.

“I still plan to wear shoes, but I’m work-ing on better landing techniques,” he contin-ued. “I am running healthy. So far, so good.”

From blogs and other online sources, thenumber of barefoot runners appears to on theupswing. Some of us remember Zola Buddfrom South Africa and Abebe Bikila, theEthiopian who won the 1960 Olympicmarathon unshod (and the 1964 Olympicmarathon wearing shoes).

Allen is the only Michigan runner I knowabout who is trying it. But I am keeping anopen mind.

Some pro-barefoot running argumentsseem like stretches. That our prehistoricbrethren ran barefoot (or close to it), out ofnecessity, tells us nothing about their injuryrates. That many Kenyan and Ethiopian run-ners spent their childhoods running unshodon their way to later championships is onething, but most Americans don’t go withoutshoes as kids. Shoes, if correctly fitted, willprovide proper support and balance to a footand leg.

Michigan hardly seems the place forbarefootin.’ Here, we run on gravel, concreteand asphalt. If we run on the shoulders ofroads, we encounter glass, bits of metal,stones and other hazards. The trails haverocks, roots and branches. And what aboutthe ice, snow and cold temperatures we facein our four or more months of winters?

Bob Drapal, one of my training buddies,is skeptical of barefoot running. He swearsby his shoes and, especially, his orthotics.According to him, they allowed him to startrunning again and continue for more than 20years with only one serious injury.

In more than 35 years of running inshoes, I’ve had only two running-relatedinjuries. Neither was serious, sidelining me

Barefoot-RunningMovement Gaining Ground

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By Dave Foley

“Born To Run: A HiddenTribe, Superathletes and

the Greatest Race theWorld Has Never Seen,”

by ChristopherMcDougall. Alfred A.

Knopf, New York, 2009.

Iread running books forthree reasons:

1) To learn about howto become a better runner,

2) To try to keep aheadof the aging/injury curve,and

3) To be entertained.

McDougall’s “Born toRun ”succeeded in everyway.

McDougall, a writerfor Men’s Health maga-zine, suffers from mysteri-ous foot pain that won’tlet him run. Learningabout the TarahumaraIndians of Mexico’sCopper Canyon backcoun-try, whose barefoot run-ning exploits are legendary,he sees both a story oppor-tunity and cure for hispain.

More a quest than atravel story, McDougallencounters great Americanultra-distance runnersScott Jurek, Jenn Sheltonand Billy Barnett, recountsthe history of the Leadville100-Miler and devotes achapter to the coaching secrets of Joe Vigil,arguably the United States’ greatest distancecoach.

Ann Trason, Deena Kastor, Alan Webband even Frank Shorter receive mention as

McDougall cherry picks his way through theannals of American distance running.

Fascinated by the Tarahumaras’ ability torun barefoot, McDougall focuses on that as apossible salvation for his and modern man’s

running-induced infir-mities.

At this pointthe story goes clinical,examining foibles ofthe American diet,evils of modern run-ning shoes and theway we run. TheSpartan lifestyle ofthe Tarahumara,McDougall figures,may be the answer.

With that inmind, he sets out tostage a race pittingsome of America’sbest ultra-runnersagainst theTarahumara. Sincethe Indian runnerswon’t leave theirhomeland, the eventis held on theirrugged terrain.

The race itselfis a nail-biter, perhapsmore of a toenail-biter, as McDougallexcels at narrative.

It was one ofthe those couldn’t-put-it-down books forme as I pretty muchdid nothing but read,other than takinginspired breaks forruns along the trailsnear my house, until Ireached the last page.

This was thebest running bookI’ve read in years. Italmost convinced me

to become a barefoot runner.

Retired Cadillac teacher/coach and MichiganRunner editor Dave Foley remains active run-

ning, reading, writing and exploring ourstate’s outdoors. MR

Book Review

Tarahumara Tale Entices and Entertains

for a few short weeks, if that.

Still, I would not dismiss barefoot run-ning. The ideas surrounding it are intriguing.I may even try it once or twice a week whenspring arrives.

I will likely start at a local high school,one with field turf, and consider buying newshoes that simulate barefoot running.

Who knows? It just might be something

for me — and you.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail [email protected].



Trivia: How many times haveAmerican milers broken 4 minutesin high school-only competition?

LIGHT FEET. With so much talk about bare-foot running and minimalist shoes in thenews recently, I feel pulled in two directions:to say something or nothing, no gray area.

I thought about saying something becauseI’ve had experience racing barefoot and, in myday, wore plenty of minimalist shoes. However,those experiences and watching the evolution ofshoe technology over the past 40 years makeme wary to advocate barefoot running and suchfootwear.

I considering saying nothing, because I’msure the talk about little or nothing on ourfeet would pass like so much that’s fashion-able, a poor idea or both.

I’ve done it but don’t think it’s for manyothers. I’ll explain.

Think for 15 seconds about running bare-foot: your thoughts went from where and whenit’s a possibility to the many practical reasonsit’s a bad idea, I’ll bet. There aren’t many safeplaces to do an appreciable amount of barefootrunning. Big, smooth, litter- and stone-freegrassy parks, beaches and sand dunes are asrare as $25 marathon entry fees.

It’s fine to be a barefoot outlier and pro-ponent since it works for a few and opportu-nity exists. However, potential pain is alooming deterrent.

I raced barefoot in cross-country as ahigh school sophomore and junior for tworeasons: I felt faster and my coach let me.Most of the time, the surfaces were soft andtrouble-free, but sometimes I crossed uneventurf, roads and cinder tracks.

None of the nettlesome surfaces were

long, but each was unkind to my naked feet.After one race over a mowed path of grassand weeds, I had tiny cuts on both feet. Thenature of cross-country is you’ll encountermany surfaces and it takes a discerning eye todecide which are forgiving.

I’ve never met another person who racesbarefoot. I’ve heard about some and felt a kin-ship, except for the barefoot guy I saw in the1985 Twin Cities Marathon. Extremes like thataside and except for the occasional practitioner,I don’t recommend barefoot running.

If curious, try it. Seek out soft, safe sur-faces like golf courses. It is fun and freeing.Keep your shoes though, because more than99 percent of you will do more than 99 per-cent of your running with something on yourfeet. I’m pretty sure of those figures.

One of the most famous barefoot runnersis Zola (Budd) Pieterse. While very young,the South African set world records, wonworld cross-country championships and ranthe 1984 Olympic 3000 meters barefootwhile representing Great Britain. She lives inSouth Carolina now with her husband andthree children. Perhaps the best known bare-foot runner is Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia, whowon the 1960 Olympic marathon over thestreets of Rome.

Most minimalist shoes weigh three-fourths or less of what regular training shoesdo and offer less shock protection and sup-port. Typically they’re less durable and bestsuited for biomechanically-efficient runners.No- or low-arched and heavier runnersshould think twice before buying such light-weight shoes. When there’s less there to soft-en the foot strike or account for an over-worked arch in a repetitive exercise such asrunning, bad things can happen.

The very lightest shoes are fun, flimsyand built for speed. I’d guess only one runnerin 50 owns a pair of racing shoes. They arelike slippers with marginal cushioning and athin rubber bottom. Racing shoes aren’tmeant to be worn every day or for very long.They’re usually worn by those motivated pri-marily by performance.

Every company makes one or more mod-els with less support, weight and cushioning— and, thus warned, I suggest you considergetting some. Well, some of you. I trulybelieve most runners are better off with well-padded, supportive shoes, but some may likehow skimpier shoes perform, especially inspeed workouts and races.

Just as the goal for running apparel is towear as little as weather allows, some mayprefer to get away with as little as they can in

shoe weight and protection features.

THIRTY YEARS AGO. I found a picture ofmyself finishing the 1981 Dexter-Ann Arbor15-mile run. It was the last year the raceswere seven and 15 miles, with a finish atHuron High School. I directed the event from1980 to ’82, co-directed in ‘83 and have sto-ries to tell.

The number I wore in the ‘81 Dex-AArace reminded me I had hand-stamped thenumbers on all 4,000-plus bibs in a modesteffort to save money. I don’t remember howlong it took, but I’m sure it was a darn longtime. This was also the first year the finishline was professionally monitored and scored,by Chris Tatreau from Philadelphia. Chrisremains active in race services; his crew hasbrought the clocks and French barricades tothe Crim Festival of Races in Flint for years.

Another time-consuming task each yearwas painting the mile marks and arrows atturns and crossing points. I made numberedstencils and used different-colored paint forthe two races.

In ‘82, the finish line moved to down-town Ann Arbor and race distances changedto 10K and half marathon. The half was thefirst course I ever certified and remains themost difficult I’ve measured due to the manyblind turns, twists and long diagonals whiledealing with traffic along Huron River Drive.

Through 1979, traffic was allowed onHuron River Drive during the race. I gainedapproval to close the beautiful, winding roadfor runner safety in 1980.

Another runner-friendly change made in‘80 was to move the start time from 10 a.m. to8:30. By ‘83 the start time had moved to 8 a.m.to further mitigate effects of hot weather.

T-shirts were distributed only to finishersin the day. That plan was used for about adozen years (1974-86) before giving way todistribution at registration. The finishers-onlyconcept was revived for a spell, but is nolonger. I like the tees-to-finishers-only ideaand would urge others to adopt it. The teewould then be a reward vs. a giveaway.

Two University of Michigan runners,Lynn Fudala and Lisa Larsen, tied for the winin ‘80. Lisa was a freshman then and woulddrop her scholarship sport of swimming in afew months to focus on running. She wonAll-American honors for the Wolverinesbefore turning to the roads. There shebecame one of the best in America, withnumerous wins at major races including theBoston and Chicago marathons and a trio of

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fourth-place finishes in Olympic TrialsMarathons. She coaches adults now inColorado Springs, where she lives with herhusband and two children.

1983 marked the first year the races werescored by computer. It’s fun, in retrospect, tolook back and note I hired Mike Burns forhis first big gig. In just a few years, Mikewould be scoring most of Michigan’s biggest

races. By ‘87 he was also scoring races fromNew Jersey to Puerto Rico, Texas andHonolulu.

When advantages of the ChampionChipfirst became clear in the mid-1990s, Mikequickly jumped aboard, acquiring NorthAmerican rights. By 2000, ChampionChipscoring had become the industry leader.

Things have changed in recent years andMike has moved on to using the new, dispos-able “D” tag scoring tech. He still lives inAnn Arbor. Little known fact: for more than15 years, Mike was director of the very popu-lar Briarwood Run(s) there.

Answer: Once, by Jim Ryun of Wichita EastHigh School, in Kansas. He ran 3:58.3to win his state meet mile in 1965. MR

101 Reasons I Run, Part 1By Daniel G. Kelsey

Paul Simon sang that there must be 50ways to leave your lover. No one wants tohear it — trust me, it’d be too cruel — but

if I had a voice, I’d sing that there must be morereasons than Simon says to leave the house fora run. There must be as many reasons for run-ning as spots on a Dalmatian.

At the risk of singing out of key, withouta little help from my friends, I’d say there’sgot to be 101 reasons, tumbling over oneanother and going every which way like apack of puppies. At the risk of soundingCruella, there’s got to be 101 reasons foreach one of 101 Dalmatians.

Take health. Or, if you’ve got it already,holding onto it for dear life. I’m not tooproud to take whatever health I can get, evenif I have to drink to it.

There must be, oh, let’s say, 20 reasonsfor running in the health subset alone, leavingample room for four subsets to follow.

Now, isn’t that an encouraging tune?

A friend of mine, Zach, just ran his 50thmarathon. Since he doesn’t have hips any-more — not to speak of, unless to speak ofarthritis — it’s reasonable to ask why he per-sists in putting himself through such torture.

Well, to start with, as people who don’trun like to say at the drop of a hat, anyonewho starts, let alone finishes, even onemarathon is crazy. I tend to agree. Among uspantywaists it’s a given that craziness countsas reason number one for running at all.

But a multi-marathoner like Zach repliesthat going off on long, slow jaunts keeps himfrom going crazy from idleness. So among thehardcore, sanity trumps any question of wearand tear on body parts.

“Ah, heck, these hips aren’t so bad, any-way,” Zach says. “Don’t make a federal caseout of it.”

Yes, mental health is a subset of thehealth subset.

Keep that in mind when you rank yourown 101 reasons.

Zach, calm and assured, if taciturn, is morecomplex in his reasoning than you’d think ifyou met him in passing. Eating up miles makeshim feel good about himself. He’s compelled tovalidate or prove his worth again and again.Keeping fit in body and spirit is worth whateveragonies he goes through.

He doesn’t like to dwell on it, but he’shyperactive and training keeps him on an evenkeel. After he did his first marathon, he had todo another and his goals mounted, taking on alife of their own ... 5, 10, 25, 50, 100.

“C’mon, now, really; I don’t think I’lltake it that far,” he says.

All I can say is, if he plans to go on, heought to do his 101st marathon on theDalmatian Coast.

His wife, Jennie, runs too. She shows upat races on the spur of the moment becauseit’s healthy to just do it. Besides, she has alow metabolism and if she’s inactive she getssluggish.

“When I run I’m energized,” she says.

Hannah, my research assistant, just didher second marathon. She finished seventhamong women at Grand Rapids and shaved14 minutes off her time from the year before.

Her new competitiveness feeds her self-esteem, which, although she wouldn’t say so,tends to get fragile. Up until now she’s hesi-tated, although she wouldn’t say so, to leaveGrand Rapids for races, but with her confi-dence growing, she’s talking about taking ona far-off challenge.

“I’m thinking about maybe doing Bostonnext year,” she says.

There must be 50 ways to leave your city.

Author James Ridgeway has an essay,“Medicare’s Poison Pill,” a critique ofMedicare Part D, the prescription drug plan,in the October 2008 issue of Mother Jonesmagazine. Ridgeway tells how he came totake six expensive medicines for three healthissues — a precancerous esophageal condi-tion, depression and a transient ischemicattack, or tiny stroke — in the 10 years lead-ing up to his age of eligibility.

“For some people, I suppose, getting oldmay be the glorious adventure that’s depicted incommercials for retirement investments,” hewrites. “But for most of us, it’s actually prettydispiriting: You feel lousy, your friends are sickor dead, and you worry about dying too — orrunning out of money before you do.”

When he began shelling out dollars forPrilosec, Wellbutrin, Diovan, Pravastatin andother goodies, Ridgeway was younger than Iam today. I’ve had the good fortune to livewithout a single prescription drug. I creditrunning more than any other lifestyle choicefor settling me in a drug-free zone.

Maybe I’d develop hypertension, orfatigue syndrome like my sister, or circulatorydisorders like my brother, or vulnerability toTIAs like my late dad, if I didn’t exercise mycardiovascular system. My family puts on thekind of abdominal fat researchers have linkedto mortality risks, but I take the air out of myspare tire.

In youth, especially in sedentary periods,I had bouts with depression, often debilitat-ing, but during the past three decades, withthe help of running, I’ve struck a balance,and during the past decade, after I pushed upmy mileage, I’ve coped at my best.

Not that I’m fooled into thinking I’mimmune to the ills the body’s heir to. Mymind stays in tune pretty well while I’m strid-ing along, but the rest of the day it’s as out ofkey as if I’m following my mother, early, intodementia.

If I let down my guard my health mightgo to the dogs. MR

Notes on the Run:



By Rachael Steil

The stadium lights blazed in the darkspring evening as a light rain fell. Eachrunner walked onto the midnight-

black track, hands on their hips in determina-tion. Some shook out their arms to stay loosewhile a few passed silver batons back andforth to each other. Girls gripped the chain-link fence encompassing the track, swingingtheir legs, their quad and hamstring musclesrippling.

Our 4x400-meter relay huddled, goingover our plan of action. Who knew that justrunning one lap each involved so much tech-nique and careful planning?

“You ready to do this?” I asked, smilingat our first runner; she would be handing offto me.

“Yeah …” Jessica replied. A smilecrossed her anxious face. We were ready; thatconfirmed it. Scared silly, yet ready to crushour opponents. The last event of the regionaltrack meet was about to begin and these finalpoints would mean everything for overallteam placement.

“Final call for the mile relay!” theannouncer bellowed. My stomach leapt anddoubts began to creep into my mind. I’m nota sprinter … these girls can rip me to pieces! Iwas tall and gangly, not the best body forsprinting, but I did everything in my power tomatch up to these smaller girls who hadbulging quads and calves.

I looked around at the stone-hard facesof my competitors. They were focused and Ineeded to get in the zone as well. I earned myspot here, I reassured myself. There’s no waythat I don’t deserve to be on this relay.

Our anchor pulled us into a circle withher arms around our shoulders. “We are get-ting that school record tonight,” Daniellestated firmly. I nodded, though I couldn’tfully comprehend what she had just said.Break the record? Sure, we had come close,but that record didn’t look like it was goinganywhere for a long time.

The official called for us to make ourway down the track towards the start. Afterone final glance, we jogged to the ominouswhite line.

As I took my final stride-out, I thoughtabout how just a week ago we had been atthe conference meet. A moment of pure hor-ror passed through my mind as I rememberedwatching Taylor hand off the baton. It hadslipped from Danielle’s outstretched hand andclanged to the ground, bouncing left andright on the dark rubber track. It seemed likeminutes before Danielle scooped down tosave it. That small error cost us valuable sec-onds and lost us the lead.

But I couldn’t think of that now; I couldonly think about how to take that moment offrustration and turn it into something bettertonight. Our team was seeded fourth but wewere going for the gold.

“Let’s go girls!” Cheers erupted from thestands as we approached the start. A sense ofpride and power overcame me as I looked upat my supporters, knowing that I had animportant role in representing our team.Goosebumps ran up my arms, but I knew it

wasn’t from the cold rain. I found CoachLohner at the sidelines, stressing the chin-back-pocket technique with her swinging armmovements from the sidelines. I nodded withunderstanding.

Before I knew it, Jessica was set in herblocks about 50 meters ahead and I was inmy position to await her on the track.Seconds seemed to tick slowly by as the spec-tators quieted down and the rain pitter-pat-tered onto the track. The glow of the redzeroes on the scoreboard was set to start thetime and the official raised the gun.

Bam! Jessica leapt from the blocks,punching her thin arms through the air. Herstride lengthened gracefully as she circled thewide curve, contrasted against the quickturnovers of her competitors.

I knew I had less than a minute before Iwas out there as well. At that thought, mystomach lurched, but I was ready to do what-ever I could for myself, my relay and most of

all, my entire team.

It looked like Jessica was falling behind,but with 200 meters left she was in a full-outsprint. She was bringing us into first place.Rounding the final turn, the stands rumbled.“Don’t give up!” teammates cried and,“Knees! Lift your knees!” from the coaches.Each girl pumped her arms wildly, batonsswinging in the night air. Many of their faceswere strained in agony, but none of thesegirls were backing down.

Jessica sprinted towards me, pure deter-mination on her face. Her aggressive energytransferred to me as I narrowed my eyes andgrinned with anticipation. An explosion ofadrenaline coursed through my body as Ibegan a running start and whipped back myright arm. The instant I felt the security ofthe cold metal tube in my hand, I took off ina dead sprint to escape my opponents.

At that moment, everything left me. Myfear and uncertainty were abandoned at the linewhere my exhausted teammate lay. There wasnothing left except for me and the ground as Isailed across through the darkness.

The sound of the roaring spectators waslost behind me. I was sprinting on my toes,taking short, quick steps around the curve.All I could hear was the sharpness of my ownbreath, the soft patpatpatpat of my spikeshitting the track and the drizzle of rainaround me. I was flying, and the speed andmomentum of it all elated me. This was fun!I could do this!

The rush I felt was all adrenaline,because by the time I rounded the first curvereality struck me with the simple sound ofhard breathing down my neck. I was beingchased by a whole group of hungry competi-tors and I felt it. The sound of the cheeringspectators in the distance reached my ears aswell; I was in for the race of my life.

My opponent in blue gained on me, com-ing up to pass, when I turned on the wheels Ihad left. With half-lap to go, I swung back myarms, quickened my steps and focused straightahead. That’s when the volume suddenly shotup; I heard the rumbling of the stands.

Record High School Run Fills Soul

I was being chasedby a whole group of hungry competitors

and I felt it.

17

“Go! They’re coming up on you!” Myteammates were an arm’s length away from meon the turf urging me to go on, even if it hurt.

And it did hurt. It hurt beyond reason,but I knew it would hurt more if I failed todo this. With one final surge, I broke awayfrom my competitor and barreled down thehome stretch with everything I had left. Thisdistance runner was going to show thosesprinters what she was made of!

I focused on my next relay teammateahead, excitement building to reach her, handthe baton and pass out on the artificial turf.My arms tightened with exhaustion, my legsfelt like lead and my head spun. Lungingtowards my finish, I slapped the silver batoninto Taylor’s outstretched hand and knew myjob for the team was done.

Falling over to the side, I put my handson my knees and took a few moments torecover. My calves burned with fatigue as Istopped to catch my breath.

Within a minute I forced myself to lookup again to bring home our third runner.Taylor came into the finish with the batonoutstretched to Danielle, who took off to runthe final quarter mile of the relay. Thescreams in the stands erupted even more asthe batons were passed and sent off for thelast time.

I gazed across the other side of the trackas I watched our relay run to a first-placeposition. We weren’t guaranteed that spot,but I knew deep in my heart that we had it,and we had proved to everyone that weearned first place.

For the final homestretch, I glanced atthe clock and did a double take. I couldn’tbelieve my eyes; we were on record time! Iscreamed, pointing ecstatically to the clock,pushing my teammate to finish strong andhard.

We finished in 4 minutes, 1.98 seconds.With a first-place finish, our teammates andfamily members erupted with cheers. Andwith a new school record by just .04 seconds,I threw my fists up in the air and screamedvictoriously as the torrent of rain pelted myface.

The best day of my life does not remainin that one moment; it still engenders a feel-ing of euphoria and accomplishment that Ican share with my teammates for a lifetime.

Rachael Steil, now a Grandville High Schoolsenior, joined 4x400 teammates Jessica

Myers, Taylor Tepper and Danielle Tepperhelping the Bulldogs place second overall inlast year’s Division 1 regional at Jenison. She

plans to continue running and writing thisspring and next fall at Aquinas College. MR

Veteran Survives Teen at Roney RunBy Charles Douglas McEwen

UTICA (3/21/10) — Yacho Morgan, 28, ofRochester won the Bill Roney Memorialwomen’s 5K run for the second year in a row,but had determined competition from a 13-year-old who ran the race of her life.

Kelsie Schwartz, an eighth grader at St.Paul Catholic School in Grosse PointeFarms, ran the first mile in six minutesflat. Morgan caught her at that point.

“She (Schwartz) stayed with me fora while,” Morgan said. “Then she droppedback. But she ran hard the whole way. It’snice to have another female to compete with,instead of just guys.”

“I tried to stay with her, but she was justtoo strong,” Schwartz said.

Morgan also had strong time, finishing in18:17. Schwartz followed in 18:35, 52 sec-onds faster then her previous 5Kbest. Melanie Brender, 17, of Sterling Heightswas third in 19:08. Laura Murphy, 46, ofRochester led the masters in 20:07.

Clint Verran, 34, of Lake Orion led themen from start to finish, winning easily in15:10.

“I was hoping to getunder 15 minutes,” he said.“But I’ll take 15:10 for now.The 5K isn’t really my spe-cialty any longer. If I canrun a five-minute pace for ahalf marathon this year, I’llbe really happy with that.”

Kevin and KeithHanson are race directorsfor the Roney run.

“Kevin and Keith haveput together an awesomecourse,” Verran said. “It’snice, flat and fast.”

August Pappas, 16, aChelsea High School juniorgetting ready for track sea-son, took second in 15:47.“I was happy with mytime,” he said. “It’s stillearly. So I’m basically whereI want to be.”

Anthony Pavicic, 27, ofSterling Heights, who won last year’srace, took third in 16:03. Guy Holmes, 44, ofArmada paced the masters in 17:24.

For more information, go towww.hansons-running.com. MR

Bill Roney Memorial 5K, Utica

Yacho Morgan won the 5K for thesecond year in a row.

Colin Hanson, bib no. 719, continues a familytradition with his father Keith Hanson in thekids race.

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Michigan runner Tim Sneller sparked anonline discussion recently regarding coursecertification, a subject of interest for many

readers. Sneller first e-mailed “RunningShorts” columnist and veteran course-certifier

Scott Hubbard, who referred him toMichigan Runner publisher Art McCafferty

and editor Scott Sullivan for their input.Excerpts appear below:

Hello Scott,

While reading the latest issue ofMichigan Runner, I notice a reference to theNational Masters News in your column. Ilooked up their Web site and noticed a refer-ence to the Phidippides Award, which in turngot me noticing that the points for it must beaccumulated on USA Track & Field-certifiedcourses.

When I looked into courses in my area(Grand Rapids) that are certified, I discoveredthat most are not, and, if I’d applied soonenough for the Phidippides Award, my pointtotal for it would drop from enough for aGold Award to a Bronze. Good thing thedeadline had already passed for applying;otherwise I might be upset about this.

I am actually upset anyway. Not aboutthe award aspect, but by the fact that somany races do not get their courses certi-fied. I’m wondering if you can provide insightinto why this is so. Are race directors just toolazy, don’t care, expense is too much (What isthe overall cost for certification?) or notaware of course certification?

In his article “Road Race CourseCertification: How Do Courses Measure Up?”writer Steve Vaitones of USATF New Englandsums up my feelings with this quote: “Whenrunners are paying an entry fee, the least adirector can do is offer a truly accurate ‘record-quality’ course on which to achieve a meaning-ful personal-best performance.”

With what I now know, serveral of myPR’s are meaningless because they were seton non-certified courses (another reason to beupset).

What can we as runners do to pressuremore races to get certification? I think theleast that should be required is for races to

state on their entry forms whether or nottheir course is certified.

Finally, why doesn’t Michigan Runnertake a more active role to advocate for certifi-cation? I’m planning to run the Kent CityRidge Run in a few weeks and it is not a cer-tified course (but it is a well-organized raceand I love the course). I noticed they adver-tise that it’s a Michigan Runner-sponsoredRunner of the Year Series points race.

Why let a race with a non-certifiedcourse be part of the points series? Isn’t thissuggesting that course certification is not allthat important? I would like to hear yourcomments on this.

Sincerely,

Tim Sneller

Scott Hubbard responded:

Hi Tim,

I’d guess maybe only one course in 20 inMichigan is certified ... and that’s probablyan undercount. Why so few? A variety of rea-sons, but cost is certainly high on the list.Many directors are simply unfamiliar withcertification and what it’s about. And manysimply don’t care how accurate their coursesare, or think their measuring method is goodenough. Also, some folks look into certifyingthe courses themselves and are daunted bythe process. Whatever the reason, the per-centage of certified courses is tiny.

You are lucky in the GR area to have hadRalph Dewey measuring courses since the1980s, with Don Kern joining him in the pasthalf dozen years or so. Both do a good job.

What can you do to press for morecourses to get certified? I don’t have a handyanswer. A good place to start would be to askMichigan Runner’s Scott Sullivan([email protected]) and Jennie McCafferty ([email protected]) to “advocate,” as you put it,for more certified courses.

I’ve written about certified courses fromtime to time and it’s had a modest effect. Oneof the best things that’s come of my com-ments is my plea a few years back for moremeasurers.

I can empathize with you about PR’s seton uncertified courses — many of mine are ofthe like. But most of mine are from the darkages ... 30 years ago, when certified courseswere rare.

I’d guess 95 percent of all uncertifiedcourses are short ... some by a little and someby a lot. Folks wearing Garmin GPS units arediscovering this fact. Although these units arevery good, they usually measure every milelong by about one part in 100. I always liketo hear runners complain a certified coursewas long; that means the measurer did agood job.

Another thing to bear in mind aboutGarmin wearers: they typically aren’t runningthe shortest possible route that the measurertook to certify a course. They’re runninglong, not the tangents.

Course accuracy is as basic a race funda-mental as there is. It ought to be a race given.Always.

Hope this helps,

Scott Hubbard

MR publisher Art McCaffertychipped in a few days later:

Tim, Scott and Scott,

Jennie asked me about MR’s position oncertified courses and, of course, we are all forcertification. We made our position quiteclear when we were producing the “Best ofTimes” feature for so many years. Our firmstance on this prompted some vitriolic criti-cism about the subject. Runners began toquestion the legitimacy of the decisions wemade on which times and races “counted,” tosuch a degree that we dropped the feature.

The certified-course issue also impactedthe courses we chose for our highly-visibleMichigan Race Series. For a number of years,we tried to run only certified courses, butthen we had an issue with a course likeSteve’s Run, where most of the race was ontrails. This race was highly competitive, yetcould not be certified due to its trail section.

There are also races each year that haveto reroute their courses due to road work anddo not want to go through the expense andtrouble of getting it re-certified.

Should All Courses BeCertified? An Exchange

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Again, MR supports certified courses andwill continue to try to influence race directorsto move in that direction.

Art McCafferty

Tim Sneller responded:

Art,

I appreciate your response on thismatter. As with most everything, it’s morecomplicated than I realized.

I can see where certification of trail runsis not possible or feasible, and also the matterof good old continual Michigan road con-struction. Maybe we should just say to hellwith the roads and let everything deteriorateto trails. Who needs roads when you can runon trails? (Might your Race Series make trailruns exempt?)

I guess my main point is to continue theeffort toward certification and not letthe discussion disappear. Sometimes a livelydebate is a good thing. My one suggestion onthis for MR would be to indicate which racesin the “Event Calendar” are USATF-certified. If a race has made the effort to getcertified, they should at least have it noted assuch in the listing.

I recently e-mailed Kent City Ridge Runrace director Jill Evers as to why her coursewas not certified. Her response was as fol-lows:

“I agree with you on many of yourpoints. Many races are not certified and someare obviously not accurate. For those races, Ijust compare my time from one year to thenext.

“Here are some of the reasons I’ve notyet gotten the course certified:

“1) I’m doubtful on these hills and gravelroads with Michigan’s March weather thatwe’ll have a national type age-group record.

“2) I am a one-person operation here forthe most part. It would be another job I’dhave to be in charge of. Also, I wonder howmany years I can keep pouring my life andenergy into the race.

“3) Cost.

“Those being stated, I have given it someserious thought this year. Since we were cho-sen for the MR Runner of the Year pointsseries, I had a friend ask if we needed to getcertified. I will speak with Don Kern (whocertifies courses) the next time I see himabout the cost of doing it.

“Thanks for being honest and sharingyour concerns. I thank you for your nicecomments about the race in the past. I hopeyou’ll still consider it again.”

I spoke with Don Kern at a GrandRapids Running Club event this pastSaturday and he mentioned that Jill had justtalked to him about possibly getting thecourse certified. So I guess my point is, if aneffort is maintained to keep this issue in frontof the running community, maybe more run-ners and races will start thinking about it andtake action.

Tim Sneller

MR editor Scott Sullivan wrote:

Hi all:

I have followed this exchange with inter-est, withholding my two cents in lieu of yourthoughts of greater value. Let’s extend (orbelabor) our theme here of economics.

Say I’m a runner “shopping” for this sea-son’s races. I will chose (“buy” by paying myentrance fee) based on what I value: proximi-ty to my home (or a vacation destination),length of race, “the experience” (that I’ve hadof the race itself, heard from friends or readabout), cost (which could be greater due toexpenses of putting it on), my personal sched-ule and commitments, fitness, many factors ...including, if I’m a “serious” runner con-cerned with time benchmarks, whether thecourse is certified.

Say I’m a race director cognizant of sup-ply-and-demand. Does the added trouble andcost of having my course certified fit mybudget? Does my course have a trail sectionhard to measure, or is it likely my course willchange from year to year due to roadworkand other factors? Who are my customers?What do they want?

Different people in different situationsmake different choices. Hence the variety ofthe marketplace.

I like courses certified. If a race advertisesits course is certified, I will pay $5 more torun it knowing not only that I’ll be coveringa valid distance but that its directors sharemy attitude: If a thing is worth doing, it’sworth doing right. But I’ll also pay 50 centsto do informal Wayland Road Runner“races” with friends covering distances thatare guesstimates. Would I make the latterruns part of the MR Race Series though? Noway.

I’ve enjoyed this exchange and would liketo share it with readers in the magazine.Would it be possible, Tim, Scott and Art, toreprint your missives — starting, say, as a let-ter to the editor (I can edit slightly for formand mechanics) and flowing thereafter?

Thanks,

Scott S

All agreed that sharing the exchange inprint, and inviting comments from otherreaders, would be valuable. E-mail contactsappear in this story and on our table-of-con-tents page. MR

Michigan Runner Race Series 2010

St. Patrick's Corktown Races, 5K, Detroit - March 14Kent City Ridge Run, 15K, Kent City - March 27

Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K, Grand Rapids - May 8

Dexter Ann Arbor Half Marathon, Ann Arbor - June 6Kalamazoo Klassic 10K, Kalamazoo - June 19

Solstice Run 5K, Northville- June 26

National Cherry Festival, 15K, Traverse City - July 10Steve’s Run 10K, Dowagiac - July 31

Crim Festival of Races 10 Mile, Flint - August 28

Labor Day 30K, Milford - September 4Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon, Detroit - October 17Great Turtle Half Marathon, Mackinac Island - October 23

Point System, Results & Standings posted online:http://michiganrunner.net/read_new/2010-michigan-runner-race-series



GR Runners Step Up for Challenge, AirBy Grant Lofdahl

GRAND RAPIDS (3/13/10) — Runners andwalkers converged on a breezy, cool morn-ing, downtown, but instead of heading toan outdoor start line they went indoors.

The second annual Grand Rapids Fightfor Air Climb was not your typical runningevent. Participants had a staggered start at

the bottom of a stairwell in the city’s newtallest building, the River House condos,and raced up 33 floors to the top.

While the novelty of the competitionwas an attraction for some, the true spirit ofthe Climb was to raise funds for theAmerican Lung Association.

Climbers competed either as individuals

or as parts of four-person teams. CaseyKuhn of Grand Rapids, captain of the win-ning Flight Risk team, said his girlfriend(and Flight Risk teammate) MaryHendershot got him interested in the event.

“This is an interest of hers; we bothhave asthma and a five-year-old who hasasthma. It has special significance for us,”he said.

Climbers, Proceeds Soar at ALA Fight for AirBy Charles Douglas McEwen

DETROIT (2/28/10) — The DetroitMarriott at the Renaissance Centerstands 727 feet tall, includes 73 sto-ries and seems to have plenty of oxy-gen.

Despite that, many amongthe record turnout of 535 peopleat the fourth annual Fight for Airfound themselves breathless as theyclimbed 70 flights of stairs to the top.

“You get winded,” saidWilliam Haggerty of the AmericanLung Association of Michigan-spon-sored climb. “But when you reach thetop, it comes back. It’s a greatevent. You have to be in prettygood shape, though, to take it on.”

Haggerty, a few days short of 73years old, was the oldest climber toreach the Renaissance Centersummit. The St. Clair Shores residentcompleted the 70 floors in 16 min-utes, 31 seconds. (Climbers also hadthe option of doing just 40 floors, but mostpeople went up 70.)

George Huddock, 50, of Livonia reachedthe top fastest in 6:21. Next came BrianMcLean, 26, of Riverview (7:21) and EmilioGiorgi, 21, of Windsor (7:36).

Kimberly Hase, 39, of Grosse Pointe ledthe women in 9:26, followed by TennilleSharpe, 33, of Brighton (9:29) and KerryMadden, 37, of Commerce (9:35).

This event is part of a series of 54 racesnationwide, trekking up stairwells of skyscrap-ers, stadiums and arenas to raise money for theALA. Other Fight for Air stair climbs will takeplace in Grand Rapids and East Lansing.

Jodi Kutzhals, 12, of Trenton, who didthis event with her parents, Paul and Ann,and sister, Nadia, has become a vertical racesveteran. “This is the third one I’ve done,” shesaid. “I thought it was hard, but I just keptpushing it and fighting for air until I made itto the top.”

Kutzhals and her family were part ofa “RockStairs” team had more than threedozen members and was awarded “MostSpirited Team” for the third straight year.

Dave Cooney and Angela Trudeau organ-ized a “Cooney’s Climbers” team. “I didn’tparticipate,” said Cooney, “because I had adouble-lung transplant seven months ago.

“But it’s a fantastic event,” he said.“Cooney’s Climbers,” which had 15

members, raced in memory of Cooney’sbrother, Dennis, who died from lung diseasefive years ago. Dave Cooney said he plans toreturn with another team next year.

“I’m walking five miles a day now,”he said. “I want to go right to the top nextyear.”

Fight for Air in Detroit raisedabout $130,000, said Michigan ALA develop-ment manager Jessica Jimenez-Schlicht. “Thiswas our most successful year yet,” she said.

For complete results, go towww.classicrace.com. MR

Fight for Air Climb, Detroit

Fight for Air Climb, Grand Rapids

Cooney’s Climbers raced in memory of Dennis Cooney, who died from lungdisease five years ago.

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“It’s something good for everybodyto do because it gives you an apprecia-tion of what it’s like for someone who’sstruggling for air and what they gothrough every day. We did this for a cou-ple minutes going up the stairwell andrecovering, but people live with this fortheir entire lives,” Kuhn said.

While many entrants were from themetro Grand Rapids area, some camefrom far and wide to take part. Toledo’sTracie Chovan and her son, Cory, 10,made the three-hour trip from northwestOhio, and Cory impressed many adultswith his speed on the stairs.

“I ran a 5K before,” said Cory. “Thisis a lot more work — you have to pull upyour body weight. This is my fourth oneand it gets a little easier. Sometimes it getshard to breathe, so I try to slow down mybreathing.”

His chief goal is always to beat hismom, which he accomplished in GrandRapids. Tracie’s goal, besides trying tooutpace her son, was to compete inmemory of a young man she met as avolunteer for the Make a WishFoundation.

“He was just 15 when he died ofcystic fibrosis,” she said. “We do (races)in his honor as a way to remember him.”

Michael Peterson of Goshen, Ind.,was the overall champion, conqueringthe 34 flights in 3 minutes, 38 seconds. Itwas Peterson’s fifth win in a sport inwhich he began competing more than 20years ago.

“I’ve climbed probably 10 differentbuildings and won five races overall —Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Pittsburghand now here,” said Peterson, whoplaced in the top 30 at Go VerticalChicago, which goes up the Sears Tower.“It all depends on who shows up; thereare a lot of fast people out there. I trainon an indoor rowing machine five days aweek and run stairs once a week.”

The women’s winner, Kristi Metzgerof Grand Rapids, was surprised to finishfirst (in 5:32) and said the climb washarder than she expected.

“I’ve done a couple of 5Ks and 10Ksand this was harder,” Metzger said. “Iunderestimated it. I started off fast and itkilled me — I was glad to get to the end.It was great though.”

For more info on stair climbing racesaround the world, visitwww.towerrunning.com. MR

Locals Lead Field at C-Ville ChillBy Grant Lofdahl

COOPERSVILLE (2/27/10) — The C-VilleChill 5K is about as “hometown” as racesget. So it was fitting that two CoopersvilleHigh School runners captured overall crowns.

Bronco graduate Matt Denhof crossedthe finish line first in the fifth annual eventand CHS senior Meredith Busman was thefirst female.

Denhof, 33, also won the Chill in its firstyear and has run the race all but one year. Henow lives 30 minutes away in Caledonia andsaid that coming home to run in his home-town road race is always a highlight.

He took the lead from the gun and ledwire-to-wire for the win in 18:22. While racemorning was partly sunny and mild, a snow-storm the previous day made footing treach-erous at times.

“Probably a minute and a half,” saidDenhof when asked how much slower thesnow and ice made the course. “I’d saythree quarters of the course was prettyslippery. The back half was pretty bad.”

His margin of victory was 68 secondsover the ageless Scott VanStrate.VanStrate, 52, continues to crush mostage-group rivals and regularly wins themasters division 12 years after becomingeligible for it. Loren Redder, 63, led thegrand masters in 23:57.

It was Busman’s first time running theChill. Her 21:20 won the women’s divi-sion by more than two minutes, so shefocused on passing guys, including a team-mate.

“It was funny, because at about thetwo-and-a-half mile mark I passed anotherkid on the cross country team,” she said.“We had joked because in previous train-ing I had beaten him once and he was like,‘Meredith, that is never going to happenagain.’ So I was coming up behind himand I said, ‘You better not let me passyou!’

“It was a little icy out there, but nottoo bad. It was a lot of fun.”

Busman showed considerable talentlast fall in winning the O-K BlueConference cross country title and placing53rd at the Division 2 state meet, but isstill a neophyte runner and doesn’t run

track despite her coach’s pleas to do so.

“I started running cross country my jun-ior year and I ran this year obviously,” shesaid. “Now I’m thinking about doing it incollege. I’ve always been a soccer player andmy senior year is kind of my last chance todo it, so I’m going to stick with soccer.”

Second place was Caitlyn Beiser in 23:31,with Tammy Kuipers (23:46) in third.Jennifer Kolberg led the masters women in27:39, with Carla Schut top grand master in28:46.

About 100 runners completed the 5Kroute, a new one this year that woundthrough downtown and residential areas ofthis small farming community west of GrandRapids. Funds raised went to the CHS run-ning program. MR

C-Ville Chill 5K, Coopersville


22Michigan Runner - May / June 2010

Town Crier Makes ‘Cruel’ Cool

By Scott Sullivan

SAUGATUCK (4/10/10) — T.S. Eliot waswrong. April’s not the cruelest month; it’sthe craziest. Picture April Fool’s Day in themid-80s turning to sleet and snow threedays later: croci croaked, daffodils wentdaffy and heads of the Town Crier runswondered whether weather would bringthrongs or scare off all but the AdmiralPearys.

Race day proved cool, not cruel: perfectfor 344 entrants to tackle 10K or 5K cours-es. Several of themost dedicated (ordemented) onesran both.

They raisedmore than $7,000for local youthprograms andsponsor SABA (theSaugatuck-DouglasArea BusinessAssociation),which kicked inawards, peoplepower and more tomake Rick Bauer’sdebut as racedirector as win-ning as his first-place in last year’s10K.

“Running, I don’t worry about,” saidBauer. “Trying to run (as in direct) a racemakes me anxious.” He confided he’s moreconfident coaching Saugatuck High Schooltrack and cross country teams.

There is little questioning the successthat he and his wife, Angelina, have hadguiding runners at the school. But a roadrace, with hundreds of hoofers sharingstreets with cars, plus a million details —routes, registrations, refreshments, prizes,packets, publicity ... and those are only theP’s and R’s of the problems/responsibilities?

Praise be to race founding fathers, theday’s sun and course volunteers for notbeing wholly ghosts, showing up to helpBauer show off this long-running lakeshorearts city at its best.

Double overall winners were ex-CalvinCollege star Jed Christiansen (men’s 10K in34:01 and 5K in 15:34) and Kristen Brown,38, of Muskegon (women’s 10K in 40:30and 5K in 19:30).

Masters champ Ron Zywicki, 49, ofTraverse Cityplaced sec-ond overallin the 10K(35:21) asdid topwomen’smaster JillEvers-Bowers, 43,of Kent City(44:55).

Bauer’s pro-tégés andprodigiesstarred in the5K, withSHS seniorEthanLievensemen’s run-

Town Crier, Saugatuck

Among those starting the Town Crier 5K is Jed Christiansen, front left, Bib 784. Jed would be the 5K and 10Kmen’s double winner.

Kids of all ages start the kids dash.

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ner-up in 16:41 and freshman Sean Kellyfourth in 17:38. Indian co-coach and wifeAngelina Bauer was the second-placewoman in 20:01, followed by SHS froshHeather Price (20:48).

Top 5K masters were Brian Fahey, 41,of Rockford (17:42) and Evers-Bowers(21:18).

“Ageless” honors went to ScottVanStrate, 52, of Spring Lake (39:07 in the10K, 19:12 in the 5K); Dave Minier, 61, ofWyoming (42:26, 20:13) and Hank Nash,57, of Spring Lake (19:17 in the 5K). AlexAnschutz, 11, of Saugatuck (11th overall inthe 5K in 20:00) showed you need little ageat all.

John Sanford of Saugatuck celebratedhis 70th birthday completing the 5K in45:26, then repaired with his family to makeup burnt calories eating cake.

Race founder José Santos celebrated hisfirst year as non-director by ... not running?

“I’m sick,” explained Santos, whononetheless did his best to keep runnersfrom turning into hood ornaments on thecourse. He was dressed like Peary to protecthimself from the splendid weather, but the

surer sign he was near death’s door was hewasn’t running.

We advised him to go to bed. “I am fly-ing to Spain tonight,” Santos said.

The Town Crier kids dash featuredmunchkins running — some all-out, somethat way at least to start, and the youngestdistracted by, well, the universe — around ablock to receive ribbons at the end.

And what would the Town Crier bewithout the Town Crier? Absent costumedArt Talsma to ring his starting bell, formerMayor Henry VanSingel, 83, rang a smallerbell Bauer won last year. “We needed some-thing,” said the ex-Hizzoner.

That’s Saugatuck: always something. Asrunners dispersed, headed home or to takein galleries, restaurants, dune climbs andpublic beach on Lake Michigan, Eliot’sline, “Only those who risk going too farcan find out how far they can go,” rangevident.

Meanwhile April flew like the fleetestrunners, like kids growing up and touristsreturning along the lakeshore. There’s notelling how lovely May may be. MR

Mazie Robison, 2, of Saugatuck,shows off her ribbon (upside-down) after finishing the kidsdash.

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KC Ridge Run, Minus Sauerkraut, Rambles OnBy Daniel G. Kelsey

KENT CITY (3/27/10) — There was nobreak with tradition at the Kent City RidgeRun.

A few days before the event, race directorJill Evers said race day in past years had pro-duced snow, fog and low temperatures. In2008 she ran part of the way in a ditchbecause of slick footing from an ice storm.

“The one thing we’ve never had is a real-ly warm day,” Evers said.

That tradition held in 2010.Temperatures edged above freezing at the9:30 a.m. start time and hadn’t reached 40degrees at 11, when some participants stilllabored out on the 15K course.

For an event just six years old, the RidgeRun has tradition to burn. Evers designed itfrom its inception to appeal to veteran racers.To make each season’s event unique from theones before, she sees that t-shirt logos areredesigned and awards are alternatives tomedals.

“I go to so many races, I’ve tried to dothis one right from the first,” she said.

That reaching for a unique flavorincludes food. Competitors come home to avariety of warm treats such as baked pota-toes and healthy eats such as vegetables.

But one food tradition — sauerkraut —didn’t survive the first couple years. It wentthe way of the dinosaur when its contributor,Fred Groenke, retired as a principal in theKent City schools and left the state.

“It was Fred who got me going on this raceby saying, ‘You need to do this,’” Evers said.

The tradition that stands above all othersat the Ridge Run, though, is a grueling 15Kcourse. Groenke made a lasting contributionby dubbing it “Jill’s Hills.” Evers knew thatby scheduling her race a few weeks before theRiver Bank Run in nearby Grand Rapids,and by making the course tough, she couldattract runners gearing up their post-wintertraining.

Many of this year’s 268 15K finishersmay have asked themselves afterwards whichwas the toughest mile along the 9.3-milecourse. Mile one had the first high climb andstart of a second, higher climb along a pavedroad leaving town. Mile two had a roller-coaster gravel road among orchards.

After a time check on a steep, short hill,

mile five had an upward slope for aboutthree-quarters of a mile on gravel. Mile eighthad a gentle slope on pavement to a crestwhere someone on a tractor cleared cutbranches from between rows of trees in anorchard.

On a calm day, mile six, on pavementthrough a valley, would have given runners achance for recovery. But this year they ranthat mile into the teeth of a south-southeastwind.

“There seems to be some resistance,” aracer said while passing a runner starting upthe slope out of the valley.

“Yeah,” the runner said to the racer.“And I don’t need it.”

Evers said before the event that a tradi-tional draw of the Ridge Run is its inclusionin the M-37 race series sponsored by TheRunnery. That’s a competition for athletesfrom Kent City, Sparta and Comstock Park.

A new draw for 2010 was the inclusionof “Jill’s Hills” in Michigan Runner maga-zine’s annual race series. Evers saw an effectahead of time. “We have a few moresigned up than at this time last year,” shesaid. “I’ve had a couple calls fromDetroit.”

In fact, the 536 registrations in 2010were the most ever for a Ridge Run.

Josh Miller, 26, of Rockford (51:14, acourse record) and Sadie Ringer, 15, of KentCity (1:05:03) were the 15K open divisionwinners. Steve Menovcik, 41, of Grand Ledge(54:58) and Gayle Kuipers, 44, of Holland(1:07:46) were top masters.

Leading the seniors were MarshallRandell, 52, of Rockford (59:11) andJacqueline Blair, 54, of Detroit (1:11:51).

Evers, even with an eye from the begin-ning on establishing a tradition of a tester ofa race for hardcore distance runners, wasn’tblinded to a greater good. “I knew to getlocal people involved, I needed to have a5K,” she said.

This year the 5K race, which features anopening uphill and a closing downhill, had241 finishers. The overall winners were KevinDeyo, 51, of Traverse City (17:16) andKristen Brown, 38, of Muskegon (19:23, acourse record).

For complete results, visitwww.active.com/running/kent-city-mi/kent-city-ridge-run-2010#Results. MR

Kent City Ridge Run, Kent City

15K winner Josh Miller, bib no. 251,leads a pack.

Sadie Ringer, age 15, won the opendivision in 1:05:03.

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Horizon League IndoorChampionships

University of Detroit Mercy host-ed the Horizon League IndoorT&F Championships, February 28,2010. Detroit Mercy’s PatLiederbach runs distances races. Start of 8K and 8K races.

St. Patrick’s Day Races, Bay City,March 21, 2010

Megan Goethals sets a meetrecord to win the 2 Mile title in10:10.14 (by .07 seconds)

Bridgette Owens-Mitchell was2nd by a photo-finish .004 sec-onds in the 60m hurdles. 8:40.

Nike Indoor Nationals, March 12-13, 2010, Boston

Gabrielle Anzalone, 2nd, 5000m,17:04.

Photos by Victah Sailor, Photorun.net

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince StudiosPhoto by Carter Sherline /Frog Prince Studios



Corktown Boasts New Course, Record CrowdsBy Charles DouglasMcEwen

DETROIT (3/14/10) —The 28th annual St.Patrick’s Parade CorktownRace shrank in length froma four-mile to a 5K, butgrew dramatically otherwise— for the first time surpass-ing 5,000 entrants. (Lastyear, about 3,300 runnersand walkers took part.)

“By switching to a 5K,we were able to simplify thecourse for the Detroitpolice,” said Doug Kurtis,who co-directs the race withGreg Everal. “It eliminatedparade crowd issues.

“Plus 5K is a morenationally-recognized dis-tance. It also allowed us tocombine our fun walkwith the runners,” Kurtissaid.

The huge turnout at theevent, sponsored by theFraternal Order of UnitedIrishman to benefit the St.Patrick’s SeniorCenter, made it tough tofind enough supplies for theentrants.

“The new techshirts were a big hit,” Kurtissaid. “We ordered an extra1,000, then had to re-orderanother 750.”

The distance changed but the leaders did-n’t, as Paul Aufdemberge, 45, of Redford andJackie Rzepecki, 31, of Rochester won for thesecond year in a row.

“It was actually a little harder than lastyear,” said Aufdemberge. “But I liked thenew course.”

Last year, Aufdemberge won the four-mileby 38 seconds. This year, he edged DrewMacAulay, 34, of Goderich, Ontario, finishingin 15:40 to MacAulay’s 15:49. Ryan Piippo, 31,of Franklin claimed third in 16:09.

MacAulay, running Corktown for thefirst time, led for much of the first twomiles. Aufdemberge passed him in the finalmile.

“He surprised me,” MacAulay said. “Ididn’t expect to get passed. I fought a littlebit, but he was the much better man today.”

“Paul knows how to lay the hammerdown,” said Piippo. “If you’re not ready, youget left behind.”

A swirling wind factored into the race,Piippo added. “It didn’t feel like a fast daytoday,” he said. “When we first went out itfelt comfortable, but on the way back thewind took its toll.”

“Last year’s weather was beautiful,”women’s winner Rzepecki remembered. “Itwas like 70 degrees. I got a sunburn.

“This year I was glad that it was a 5K(instead of a four miles). I didn’t want to goanother mile into that wind,” she said.

Rzepecki, who triumphed in 18:36, tookthe lead at around two miles. “I may have beentoo aggressive at that point,” she said. “I endedup just holding on in the last half-mile.”

She was followed across the finish line byChristina Firl, 14, of Grosse Pointe (18:49)and Andrea Blake, 31, of Dearborn (19:00).

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade downMichigan Avenue took place immediatelyafter the race. The event also included a well-attended children’s fun run.

“This year’s Corktown was our best allthe way around, except for the (lackof) sunshine,” Kurtis said. “And we had 150volunteers!”

For complete results, visitwww.corktownrace.com. MR

St. Patrick’s Parade Corktown Race, Detroit

Race Director Doug Kurtis holds the shamrock “tape” for Corktown winner PaulAufdemberge.

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Martian Marathon, Half Marathon, Meteor 10K and 5KFord Park, Dearborn, April 10

Nathan Peters, AnnArbor, won the halfmarathon in 1:09:53.

Ian Forsyth won avery competitiveMeteor 10K, in30:21.

Star Trek invades Mars: James Kennedy, Clarkston, DeannaKennedy, Clarkston, and Robert Kennedy, Northville run thehalf marathon.

Melissa Bergeron, NortonShores, Michigan, won themarathon in 3:16:25.

Andrea Pomaranski’s34:41, took thewomen’s win in theMeteor 10K.

“Marathon Junkie”Chuck Engle of Dublin,Ohio, won anothermarathon, 2:39:30.

Kelly Morgan, ofRochester, is the firstwoman to finish the halfmarathon, 1:24:12.

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Martian Invation of Races, Dearborn



May 2010

Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh, Sun., May 2Flying Pig Marathon, Cincinnati, OH, Sunday, May 2Forest City Road Races, London, ON, Sunday, May 2SudburyRocks!!! Sudbury, ON, Sunday, May 2Vancouver International Marathon, Vancouver, BC, Sunday, May 2Ice Age Trail Run,Whitewater, WI, Saturday, May 8Journeys Marathon, Eagle River, WI, Saturday, May 8Dances with Dirt - Gnaw Bone, Nashville, IN, Saturday, May 15Cellcom Green Bay Marathon Green Bay, WI, Sunday, May 16Mississauga Marathon, Mississauga, ON, Sunday, May 16Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Cleveland, OH, Sunday, May 16Rockford Marathon, Rockford, IL, Sunday, May 16Traverse City State Bank Bayshore Marathon, Traverse City, Sat., May 29Ottawa Marathon, Ottawa, ON, Sunday, May 30Stillwater Marathon, Stillwater, MN, Sunday, May 30

June 2010

Sunburst Races, South Bend, IN, Saturday, June 5Strides for Life 100 Mile Run, HOlland, Thursday, June 17Charlevoix Marathon, Charlevoix, Saturday, June 26

July 2010Friendly Massey Marathon, Massey, ON, Sunday, July 18Carrollton Festival of Races, Carrollton, Sunday, July 25

August 2010Grand Island Trail Marathon, Munising, Sunday, August 1Crystal Lake Team Marathon, Beulah, Saturday, August 14Fallsburg Festival of Races, Lowell, Saturday, August 14Paavo Nurmi Marathon, Hurley, WI, Saturday, August 14North Country Trail Run, Manistee, Saturday, August 28SSQ Quebec City Marathon, Quebec City, QC, Sunday, August 29

September 2010Beaver Island Marathon, Beaver Island, Saturday, September 4Montreal International Marathon, Montreal, QC, Sun., September 5Dances with Dirt - Hell, Pinckney/Hell, Saturday, September 11Lake City Marathon, Winona Lake, IN, Saturday, September 11Mid-Mountain Marathon, Park City, UT, Saturday, September 11First National Bank of Wakefield Marathon, Wakefield , Sat., Sept. 11United States Air Force Marathon, Dayton, OH, Sat., September 18Fox Cities Marathon, Neenah, WI, Sunday, September 19Road Runner Akron Marathon, Akron, OH, Saturday, September 25Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Chase, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Sept. 25Quad Cities Marathon, Moline, IL, Sunday, September 26Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Toronto, ON, Sun., Sept. 26

October 2010Rockhead Trail Marathon, Waterford, Saturday, October 2Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Minneapolis, MN, Sun., October 3Whistlestop Marathon, Ashland, WI, Saturday, October 9Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Chicago, Sunday, October 10Royal Victoria Marathon, Victoria, BC, Sunday, October 10Towpath Marathon, Cleveland, OH, Sunday, October 10Wild Life Marathon, Concord, Sunday, October 10Indianapolis Marathon, Indianapolis, IN Saturday, October 16Vulture Bait Trail Race, London, ON, Saturday, October 16Detroit Free Press Marathon, Detroit/Windsor, Sunday, October 17Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Grand Rapids, Sun., Oct. 17Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon, Columbus, OH, Oct. 17Prince Edward Island Marathon, Charlottetown, PE, Sun., October 17Toronto Marathon, Toronto, ON, Sunday, October 17Inland Trail Marathon, Elyria, OH, Sunday, October 24Niagara Falls International Marathon, Niagara Falls, ON, Sun, Oct. 24

November 2010Monumental Marathon, Indianapolis, IN, Saturday, November 6ING New York City Marathon, New York City, Sunday, November 7

December 2010HUFF 50K Trail Run, Huntington, IN, Saturday, December 19

Marathon Calendar2010

Grand Island Trail MarathonPho

toby

CarterShe

rline

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MaySaturday, May 1

20 MileTraining RunTraverse City9:00 amNorthwest MichiganCollege behind HStracktraining run up to20MRRunning Fit(231) [email protected]

Arunawalkatrot 5KRun/WalkDavison 9:00 amJack Abernathy DavisonRegional Park5KR/W, kids runBob [email protected]

Berkshire Proud Dad’s5KBeverly Hills 8:00 am21707 West Fourteen MileRoad5KR/W Jeff Sullivan(248) [email protected]/5k.htm

Blossomland Run forthe Buds

St. Joseph 10:30 amdowntown St. Joseph5KR/W, kids run(269) [email protected]

Carrollton Lions ClubWalk/Run for the Blind5KCarrollton 8:15 amCarrolton High School,1235 Mapleridge Road5KR/WCraig Douglas(989) [email protected]

Child Advocacy 5K RunAlma 9:30 am5KR, 1MR/W, kids run(989) [email protected]

Endurance 5K FunRun/WalkAnn Arbor 9:00 amGallup Park Canoe Livery5KR/W(734) [email protected]

Families of SMA 5KRun, Walk and RollLansing 9:30 amHawk Island County Park5KR/W, kids run(517) [email protected]

HealthTRAC 5K & 10KRun

Three Rivers 9:00 am10KR, 5KR, 1 MR/W(269) 273-9697ssziede@threerivedrshealth.orggreatlakeschampi-onship.com

Hudsonville Highlands5KHudsonville 9:00 amPinnacle Center 5KR(616) [email protected]

It’s All About theChildrenBattle Creek 8:00 am10KR, 5KR, 1MFR(269) [email protected]

Live Like Andi Run,Walk and Fashion WalkNovi 10:00 amCatholic Central HS,27225 Wixom Rd.10MR, 10KR, 5KR/W,1MFR, kids run(248) [email protected]/run-2010.html

May Day Race 5KRun/WalkDexter 9:00 amHudson Mills Metropark5KR/W(734) [email protected]

Mind Your Health

Run/WalkPetoskey 10:00 amBayfront Park5KR, 1MW(231) [email protected]

MOM Charity 5KRun/WalkRoyal Oak10:00 amStarr Jaycee Park5KR/W(248) [email protected]

NW Indiana Race forthe Cure®Mishawaka, IN 9:00 amDowntown Mishawaka5KR/W(574) [email protected]

Out Came the SunByron Center 9:00 am5KR/W, kids run(616) [email protected]

Run for a CauseWalker 9:00 amMillenniumm Park5KR/W(616) [email protected]

Spring AdventureChallengeWest Michigan location

TBA 9:00 am4-6 hour sprint race: run-ning, hiking, canoeing, ori-enteering(616) [email protected]

St. GerardRun/Walk/Rock 5KLansing 10:00 amSt. Gerard Church, 4437W. Willow Hwy(517) [email protected]

Striders 5KGrandville5KR Steve Webster(616) [email protected]

Sylvan Lake ShuffleSylvan Lake 9:00 am5K R/W, 1K FRMichelle Allread(248) [email protected]

Three Rivers 12K RaceMay Date tbaFort Wayne 8:30 amIndiana Institute ofTechnology 12KR(260) [email protected]

Tom BroughtonMemorial 5K Fun Run /WalkWest Branch 8:30 am1938 Dam Rd. 5KR/W(989) 345-5363

May - August 2010 Event Calendar


[email protected]

Tulip Time RunHolland 8:00 amChrist Memorial Church8KR, 5KR/W, 1K kids runAlan Martens(616) [email protected]

Wellness CentralFitness Rat RaceMt. Pleasant 9:30 am2600 Three Leaves Drive5KR, 1MR/W(989) [email protected] /edzone.net/~mphsstr

WillowDuathlonNew Boston 9 amWillow Metropark5KR/ 20KB/ 5KR(231) [email protected]

Sunday, May 2

Burns Park RunAnn Arbor 8:30 amBurns Park ElementarySchool, 1414 Wells10KR, 5KR, 1MFR(734) [email protected]

Dick’s Sporting GoodsPittsburgh MarathonPittsburgh 7:55 am26.2 MR, 13/1MR, relay,kids race(412) [email protected]

Flying Pig MarathonCincinnati, OH 6:00 am26.2MR, 13.1MR,26.2Wheelchair, relay,10KR, 5KR, kids runIris Simpson-Bush(513) [email protected]

Forest City Road RacesLondon, ON 8:00 amLondon Life Building,Downton London26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 10KR,5KR/W/Wheel, 2.5K FR(519) [email protected]

Heart of aSpartanEast Lansing 8:00 amSpartan Stadium10KR/W, 5KR/W,1MR/WWill Smith(734) [email protected]

Miracle League ofNorthwest Ohio 5KRun, 2K WalkToledo, OH 9:00 amSwan Creek Metro Park5KR, [email protected]

Race JudicataBloomfield Hills 9:30 amAndover High School10KR, 5KR, 1MFW(248) [email protected]

Road Racing at MetroBeachHarrison Twp 10:30 amPointe Road - Metro Beach2 person relay, 2M eachBob Blunk(248) [email protected]

Special Dreams Farm10K Run and 5K WalkShelby Township 9:00 amStoney Creek Metropark,Eastwood Beach10KR, 5KW(586) [email protected]

Sporting Life 10KToronto, ON 8:00 amYonge & Castlefield10KR(416) [email protected]/sportinglife/

SudburyRocks!!! Race,Run, or Walk forDiabetesSudbury, ON 7:00 amSudbury YMCA26.2MR/W, 13.1MR/W,10KR/W, 5KR/W, 1KR/[email protected]

Vancouver InternationalMarathonVancouver, BC 6:30 am.26.2 MR/W/Wheel, 26.2,13.1MR, 8KR, kids run

(604) [email protected]

Friday, May 7

Path to a Better HeartWindsor, ON 7:00 pmMalden Park5KR/W, kids run(519) 254-5577, ext. [email protected]

Sports and FitnessExpoGrand Rapids 11:00 amDeVos Place(616) [email protected]

Mason State Bank 5KMason 7:00 pmDowntown Mason5KR/W,1 MFR, 100 yddashMason State Bank(517) 676-0500, ext. [email protected]

Saturday, May 8

Brian Nasi MemorialHeart Walk/RunHurley, WI 9:00 amHurley K-12 School5KR/W, 1MR/W, kids run(715) [email protected]

Donna & Dr. JerryThacker 5K RunWalkfor EducationMishawaka9:00 amPenn High School5KR/W(574) [email protected]

Falcon 10 Miler & 5KRun/WalkConstantine 9:00 amConstantine High School10MR, 5KR/W(269) [email protected]

Fifth ThirdRiver Bank RunGrand Rapids 8 am25KR, 5KR/W, teamsKristen Aidif(616) [email protected]

USA 25K ChampionshipMichigan Runner RaceSeriesGlio-Blastoff 5K FunRun/WalkYpsilanti 9:00 amEastern MichiganUniversity, University Park5KFR/W(586) [email protected]

Ice Age Trail RunWhitewater, WI 6:00 am

Southern Kettel MoraineState Forest, LagrangeNordic Trail50MR, 50KR, 2 person50K relay(262) [email protected]

Journeys MarathonEagle River, WI 8 am CDTNorthland Pines HS26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 13.1Power Walk, 5KR(800) 359-6315 / (715)479-6400


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[email protected]

Kate’s ChallengeEssexville 8:15 amSt. John’s Church5KR/W, 1MW, kids run(989) [email protected]

Laingsburg LionsFestivalLaingsburg 9:00 amMcClintock Skate Park,downtown 5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Mayfest Road & TrailRunShipshewana, IN 8:00 amMain St. & Morton St.4MR, 1MFR(260) [email protected]

Mesick MushroomRiver Run 5KMesick 7:30 amNorthern ExposuresCampground5KR, 2KW(231) [email protected]/Run.html

Run Like a MotherHarrison Twp 9:00 amMetro Beach10KR, 5KR(586) [email protected]

Run the RougeCanton 8:00 am3MR/W(313) [email protected]

SCCCMH Run forRecoveryPort Huron 8:30 amSt. Clair CountyCommunity Mental Health5KR, 1MW(810) [email protected]

St. Paul Spring Tune-UpFlint 9:00 amSt. Paul Lutheran School5KR/W(810) [email protected]

Sue DeYoung / JudyEdger Breast Cancer5K Walk and RunCharlevoix 10:00 amEast Park 5KR/W(231) [email protected]

Vicksburg HeartyHustleVicksburg 9:00 amVicksburg Athletic Stadium5KRW, 1MFR, kids run(269) 321.1022TNash@vicksburg.k12.mi.uswww.vicksburgcommunity-schools.org

Vision Builders 5KDexter 9:00 amHudson Mills Metropark5KR/W, kids run(734) [email protected]

Sunday, May 9

Berkley 1 Mile and 10KBerkley 9:00 amBerkley Community Center10KR, 1 MR/W(248) [email protected]

Dash for Destiny 5KRun/WalkBirmingham 8:30 amShain Park5KR/W, 1M kids runJunior League ofBirmingham(248) [email protected]

Wednesday, May 12

Doozie’s Ice Cream FunRun/Walk SeriesMt. Pleasant 7:30 pm1310 East Pickard5MR, 3MR, 1MR(989) [email protected]/~mphsstr/

Thursday, May 13

Kent County Girls onthe Run Celebratory 5KRunKentwood 6:00 pm5KFR/W(616) [email protected]

Mid AmericanConference OutdoorTrack & FieldChampionships - Men& WomenBuffalo, NYtrack and fieldState University of NewYork at Buffalomac-sports.com/5/13/10 - 5/15/10

Friday, May 14

Advance Packaging5000Jackson 7:00 pm5KR/W, Kids RunDave Knickerbocker(517) [email protected]/runjackson/

Big Ten Outdoor Trackand FieldChampionships - Men& WomenBloomington, INtrack and fieldIndiana Universitybigten.cstv.com/championships/big10-championships.html5/14/10 - 5/16/10

Starker-MannChallengeGaylord 7:00 pmOtsego Club, Sportsplex,Treetops Resort, Pavillion1MB, 5KR(231) [email protected]/14/10 through 5/16/10

Saturday, May 15

Bay Harbor 5K Run &WalkBay Harbor 9:00 amVillage at Bay Harbor5KR/W, kids race(231) [email protected]

Big Bay RelayMarquette 7:00 am EDTRiver Sports Complex30M relay, 5 memberteams(906) [email protected]

Capitol Bancorp5K for JALansing 9:45 am100 W. Ottawa5KR/W

(517) [email protected] Race Series

Challenger 5KHowell 9:30 amChallenger Elementary5KR/W, kids run(517) [email protected]/Challenger.html

Dances withDirt - GnawBoneNashville, IN 6:15 amMike’s Music andDance Barn50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR,13.1MR, 50M relay(734) [email protected] Allergy 5KRun/WalkDearborn 9:30 amUniversity of MichiganDearborn, Parking Lot H5KR/W, kids run(313) [email protected]

Healing HandsFlint 9:00 amMott Community College,Ballenger Field House5KR/W(810) 230-6492gaultracemanagement.com

Heart & SoleChelsea 8:30 amChelsea CommunityHospital10KR, 5KR, 2 MR/W(734) [email protected]

Holly Fire DepartmentFive Alarm 5KRun/WalkHolly 9:00 amVillage of Holly FireDepartment 5KR/W(248) [email protected]

Howard Hill HustleKalamazoo 8:30 amKalamazoo Christian HS5KR/W(269) [email protected]

Infiterra Sports SpringFury Beginner & Elitelocation tba 8:00 am8-10 hour sprint raceZac Chisholm(231) [email protected]

Lory’s Place Run, Walk& RockSt. Joseph 8:30 am445 Upton Drive5KR/W, kids run(269) [email protected]

MG 5KGrand Rapids 9:00 amRiverside Park, IslandShelter5KR/W(616) [email protected]/67959

Mississauga Marathon10K & 5KMississauga, ON 8:00 amMississauga City Hall10KR, 5KR(905) 949-1910info@mississaugamarathon.commississaugamarathon.commarathon, half marathonand 2KFR/W on Sunday

North BrothersFord/City of Westland5K Fun Run/WalkWestland 9:00 amCentral City Park5KR/W(734) 421-1300 ext [email protected]

Oaklawn HospitalHospitality ClassicMarshall 7:30 amNorth of downtown foun-tain10KR, 5KR/W, 1 MFRTheresa Chaney(269) [email protected]

Run for RecoveryMarquette, MI 9:00 amMarquette Commons,10KR/W, 5KR/W(906) [email protected]

Starker-MannChallengeGaylord 9:00 amOtsego Club,Sportsplex, Treetops


Resort, PavillionTri: 4MR/ 30KB/400meterS or 2MR/20KB/ 400meterS and40KB, 20KB andSuperkids TryAquathlon(231) [email protected]/15/09 - 5/17/09

SuperkidstryAquathonGaylord NoonOtsego CountySportsplexAquathllon: 150mS/800mR or 250mS/1MR(231) [email protected]

Toledo Zoo Dart FrogDashToledo, OH 8:30 amToledo Zoo Nairobi EventsPavilion5KR/W, Kids 1KRRobin Guidera(419) 389-6403, [email protected]

Sunday, May 16

Cellcom Green BayMarathonGreen Bay, WI 7:00 amLambeau Stadium26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5KR,kids run(920) 432-6272info@cellcomgreenbaymarathhon.comcellcomgreen-baymarathon.com

Dragon DashLake Orion 9:00 amCivic Center Park8KR/W(248) [email protected]

Ferndale FootFrolicFerndale 9:00 amKulick CommunityCenter, 1201Livernois10KR, 5KRBarbara Miller(248) 544-6767, [email protected]

For Women Only 5KAnn Arbor 8:30 amEllen Thompson Women’sHealth Center, St. JosephMercy Hospital5KR/W(734) [email protected]

Komen SouthwestMichigan Race for theCure®Kalamazoo 9:15 amArcadia Festival Site,downtown Kalamazoo5KR/W, 1 MFR(877) [email protected]

Mississauga MarathonMississauga, ON 8:00 amMississauga City Hall26.2 MR/Relay, 13.1 MR,2K FR/W, kids runJoe Hewitt(905) [email protected], half marathonand 2KFR/W on Saturday

Rite AidClevelandMarathon, HalfMarathon &10KCleveland, OH 7am26.2 MR, 13.1 MR,10KRRalph Staph(800) [email protected]

Road Racing at MetroBeachHarrison Twp 10:00 am

Pointe Road - Metro Beach10KRBob Blunk(248) [email protected]

Rockford MarathonRockford, IL 7:00 amDavid Park, Chestnut &Wyman Streets26.2MR, 13.1MR, 4 per-son marathon relay(773) [email protected] marathon.com

Starker-MannChallengeGaylord 10:00 amOtsego Club,Sportsplex, TreetopsResort, Pavillion5KR/ 30KB/ 5KR or1MR/ 10KB/ 2MR(810) [email protected]

Friday, May 21

Moonlit Miles forMarrowGreenville 8:00 pmKlackle’s Orchards15KR, 2MFR(616) [email protected]

New Balance Girls onthe Run Celebration 5KHolland 4:30 pmHolland MunicipalStadium [email protected]

South Church FamilyFitness 5KLansing 7:00 pmSouth Church, 5250

Cornerstone Drive5KR/W, kids run(517) [email protected]

Saturday, May 22Autism Society ofMichigan 5KLansing 10:00 amHawk Island Park5KR/W, 1/2M kids run(517) 882-2800autism-mi.org

Book’n 5K Run / Walkand 1 Mile Story Time

StrutSouth Lyon 8:00 amMillennium Middle School5KR, 1MR(248) [email protected]

Fight for AirClimb - LansingLansing start timevariesSpartan Stadiumstair climbRob Powell


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(616) [email protected]/donate/events/fight-for-air-climb/

Genesee County StartHeart Walk & Crim 5KFlint 7:00 am303 E. Kearsley Street5KR/W Jim Moloney(810) [email protected]

I Gave My Sole forParkinson’s Walkathon& 5K RunSt. Clair ShoresLakeview HS5KR/W, kids run(248) [email protected]

LifeRUNPortage 9:00 amWest MS X-C Course5KR(269) 345-1740, [email protected]

Muddy Watters, Bump& Run Trail Series,Race #1Rochester Hills 9:00 amBloomer Park, MountainAsh Shelter 4MR(248) [email protected]

NAS Grosse IleDuathlonGrosse Ile 8:00 amGrosse Ile Airport5KR/ 25KB/ 5KR(231) [email protected]

New Balance Girls onthe Run CelebrationGrand Haven 9:30 amLakeshore MS5KR(616) [email protected]

Outrun PovertyBay City 10:00 amBay County CommunityCenter 5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Run for HopeNorthville 8:30 amMaybury State Park, OakShelter5KR/W, 1MW, kids run

(248) [email protected]/newevent1.html

Save the Manatee RunHarrison Twp. 8:00 amL’Anse Creuse High School5KR, 2 MW(586) [email protected]

Susan G. Komen Racefor the Cure®Detroit 8:00 amComerica Park5KR/W1MFR, 1 Mile FR(800) [email protected]/detroitraceforthecure/

Sunday, May 23

Dragon RunGrosse Pointe Park 8:30 am14920 Windmill Pointe5KR, 1MR/W(313) [email protected]

Granger Paths 5KRun/WalkGranger 9:00 am51446 Elm Road5KR/W(574) [email protected]

Heart of Oak 5K Run /WalkBloomfield Hills 2:00 pm5KR/W, 1MFRAl Ray(248) [email protected]

I Gave My Sole forParkinson’s Walkathon& 5K RunNorthvilleNorthville HS5KR/W(248) [email protected]

Making Tracks forCeliacsGrosse Pointe Shores 9 amEdsel & Eleanor FordHouse, 1100 Lakeshore Rd.5KR/W(248) 693-6735tccsg.com/contact_jl.htmltccsg.com/events_upcoming2.html

New Balance Girls onthe Run 5K

Ypsilanti 10:00 amEllen Thompson Women’sHealth Center, St. JosephMercy Hospital5KR, kids run(734) [email protected]

Race For YourMemoriesMilford 8:30 amKensington Metro Park,Maple Beach10KR, 5KR/W(248) [email protected]

XTERRA LastStand Triathlon/ DuathlonAugusta 9:00 amFort Custer StatePark Tri: 1/2MS/12.5MB/ 4MR or Du:2MR, 12.5MB, 4MRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

Tuesday, May 25

Johnson Park 4 & 6Mile RunGrand Rapids 7:00 pmJohnson Park6MR, 3MR, 3M RaceWalk 1.5MR, Kids FR(616) [email protected]

Wed., May 26

LBW RaceE. Grand Rapids 5:00 pmkids races: 1MR, 3/4MR,1/2MRCharles DeWildt(616) 235-7500, ext. [email protected]

Thursday, May 27

Greater KalamazooGirls on the RunCelebration 5K RunKalamazoo 6:30 pmWaldo Stadium, WesternMichigan 5KR(269) [email protected]

NCAA Division I IOutdoor Track andField ChampionshipsCharlotte, NCIrwin Belk ComplexJohnson C. SmithUniversity(507) 646-3749ncaasports.com/track-and-field/schedules5/27/10 - 5/29/10

NCAA Division IIIOutdoor Track & FieldChampionshipsCleveland, OHTressel Field at FinnieStadiumBaldwin-Wallace College /Greater Cleveland SportsCommission(920) 424-1034ncaasports.com/track-and-field/schedules5/27/10 - 5/29/10

Friday, May 28

NCAA Division IOutdoor Track & FieldRound 1Greensboro, NC or Austin,TXIrwin Bell Track or MikeA. Myers StadiumNorth Carolina A&T StateUniversity or University ofTexas at Austin(502) 852-5151ncaasports.com/track-and-field/schedules5/28/10 - 5/29/10

Saturday, May 29

Alma HighlandFestival 5KAlma 9:15 amAlma College campus8MR, 5KR/W, kidsrunsCraig Tubbs(989) [email protected]

Eastern Ottawa YoungLife 5K and Fun RunHudsonville 8:00 amBaldwin St. Middle School5KR/W, 1MFR, 1/2MFR(616) [email protected]/sites/eo/

Fruitport OldFashioned DaysRunFruitport 9:30 am

10KR, 5KRDonald Wood(231) 865-3551

Island Lake TriathlonBrighton 7:30 amIsland Lake RecreationTri: .5MS/ 12.4MR/ 5KRor .09MS/ 24.8MB/ 10KR(734) [email protected]

John Laurin Memorial5K Run/WalkNadeau 9:00 am CDTFadroski Park5KR/W(906) [email protected]

MackinawMemorialBridge RaceMackinaw City 6:00 amMackinaw CityRecreation Complex5.4 MRMackinaw Area VisitorsBureau(231) [email protected]

MDS Nordion 10K & 5KOttawa, ON5:00 pm-5K; 6:30 pm-10KElgin and Laurier Streets10KR/W, 5KR/W(613) [email protected]

New Balance Girls onthe Run 5K Van Buren/Cass CountiesLawton 9:00 amLawton HS 5KR(269) [email protected]/vbc/health-girlsontherun.html

Rochester HeritageFestival 5K Fun RunRochester 8:30 amRochester Hills PublicLibrary5KR/W, kids run(248) [email protected]

Run for the CureCaro 9:00 amChippewa Landing Park5KR/W, 1K kids run(989) [email protected]


Salvation Army HomeRun 10K Run and 5KRun/WalkEscanaba 9:00 amMunicipal Dock10KR, 5KR/W, kids run(906) 399-3567racedirector@salvationarmyhomerun.orgsalvationarmyhomerun.org

Thumb Run PatKellerman MemorialBad Axe 9:00 amBad Axe Middle School10KR, 5KR/WLee Kahler(989) [email protected]

Traverse City StateBank BayshoreMarathon, HalfMarathon and 10KTraverse City 7:00 amNorthwestern MichiganCollege26.2 MR, 13.1MR, 10KR(231) [email protected]

Tri_Cities Family YMCAKick Off to Summer 5KRun/WalkGrand Haven 8:30 amTri Cities Family YMCA5KR/W

(616) 842-7051, ext. [email protected] Rivers MeetElkhart, IN 7:30 amCivic Plaza, Main Street &High15KR, 10KR, 5KR/W, kidsrun(574) [email protected]

X-Tri Stony CreekShelby Township 8:00 amStony Creek Metropark,Baypoint Beach1000mS/ 20KMB/ 4MR or2MR/ 13MR/ 4MR(231) [email protected]

Sunday, May 30

Hansons Group RunLake Orion 8:00 amHansons Running Shoptraining(248) [email protected]

Lisa’s RunAlpena 2:00 PMAlpena Fairgrounds5MR, KR(989) [email protected]

Ottawa MarathonOttawa, ONElgin and Laurier Streets26.2 MR/W, Wheel,13.1MR/W, 2KFr(613) [email protected] and 10K on Saturday

Sailing Thru the ShoresSt. Clair Shores 12:00 pm11 Mile Rd & Harper Ave.5KR/W(586) [email protected]

Seahorse ChallengeTriathlon and DuathlonClimax 8:00 am

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Coldbrook County Park1.5KW/ 40KB/ 6.4MR or3.2MR/ 20KB/ 3.2MR, or500meter S/ 20KB/ 5KR(231) [email protected]

Stillwater MarathonStillwater, MN 7:00 am26.2MR, 13.1MR, 20MR,12KR(651) [email protected]

Monday, May 31

Big Foot ChallengeDansville 9:00 amDansville High School5MR, 5KR/W, kids’ run(517) [email protected]/bigfootchallenge.htm

HartlandMemorial DayRun/WalkHartland 8:00 amHartland High School10KR, 5KR, 3KWRob Buti(734) [email protected]/athletics/Events/Run/

Jenison AmbucsMemorial Day RaceJenison 8:00 amJenison Junior High5KR(616) 451-1168www.classicrace.com

Lest They BeForegotten MemorialDay 5K/10KWebberville 9:00 amWebberville HS10KR, 5KR/W(517) [email protected]/funrun/

Memorial Day5K Run/Walk &8K RunGrosse Ile 8:30 amGrosse Ile HS8KR, 5KR/W, 1MFRTotal Runner(734) [email protected]

Run to ClimaxClimax 8:00 amE. Maple & Church7KR , 2MW(269) [email protected]/~weessie2/climax/climax.htm

JuneTuesday, June 1

Beach Wellness - JUNEDATE TBABay City 10:00 amBay City State Rec. Area5KR/W, 1/4M kids run(989) [email protected]

Wednesday, June 2

Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #1Royal Oak 6:30 pmHansons Running Shop,3407 Rochester(248) [email protected]

Honor Roll Track andField MeetLansing 5:30 pmSexton High School tracktrack & field [email protected](517) 349-3803playmakers.com

Tooth, Fang &Claw 10K Runand SwampPartyPinckney 6:30 pm10KRDawn McConnachie(734) [email protected]/swampparty

Wayland Road Runners3 Mile RunWayland 6:30 pmWayland HS Track3 MR, 1.5MW(269) [email protected]

Thursday, June 3

Junior Honor RollTrack and Field Meet

Lansing 4:00 pmOkemos HS trackmiddle school track & fieldmeet(517) [email protected]

Swartz Creek ChallengeSwartz Creek 6:30 pmSwartz Creek HS5KR/WJohn Gault(810) [email protected]

Saturday, June 5

5K4TJOkemos 10:00 amKinawa MS 5KR/WEDEN (Eating DisordersNetwork)(810) [email protected]

Blue Water Hospice 5K-10K River RunMarysville 8:00 amMarysvillePark10KR, 5KR, 3MW(810) [email protected]

Curwood Festival RacesOwosso 9:00 am301 S. Washington St.(Chemical Bank Office)10KR, 5KR/W, kids’ run(989) [email protected]

Dexter-AnnArbor Kids RunAnn Arbor/Ypsilanti4:00 pmYpsilanti HS SoccerFieldsunder 3= 50 yds, 4-5years=100 yds, 6-7years 200 yds, 7-8years=300 yds, 9-10=400 yds, 11-12years=800 ydsHal Wolfe(734) [email protected]

Dodge Park 3.1Mile RunSterling Heights8:00 amDodge Park3.1MR, 1MR/W

Mark DiSanto(586) [email protected]

Fitness Is LifeSault Ste. Marie 9:00 am2 Ice Circle 5KR/W(906) 635-5055, x [email protected]/jklschool/site/default.asp

Hanson Hills ChallengeTrail Run - tentativedateGrayling 9:00 amHanson Hills Little SmokeyCross Country Lodge5MR(989) [email protected]

Michigan Mile for KidsLansing 9:00 amOldsmobile Park1 MR for kids 12 & under(517) [email protected]/

Michigan Trail StateChampionshipsLowell 7:00 amFallasburg Park100KR, 50KR, 25KR, 2 &4 person relay(616) [email protected]

Midland CommunityCenter’s Dow Run/WalkMidland 8:00 amMidland CommunityCenter10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR/W,kids run(989) 832-7937, ext. [email protected]

NTN Twin Peaks TrailRunMarquette NoonM-553 trailhead10MR, 5KR(920) [email protected]/

Oak Apple RunRoyal Oak 7:30 amDowntown Royal Oak10KR, 2MROak Apple Run(248) [email protected]

OPC Fun Run / WalkRochester 8:00 am

Older Persons’ Com-mis-sion, 650 Letica Dr.5KR/W(248) [email protected]

Panther ProwlHolland 8:00 am5KR/W(616) [email protected]/resourcees/community/pantherprowl/

St. Patrick ShamrockFestival 5KBrighton 8:00 amSt. Patrick’s CatholicChurch 5KR(810) [email protected] /home.catholicweb.comStPatchurch/

Sunburst RacesSouth Bend, IN 6:00 am26.2 MR, 13.1 MR,10KR, 5KR/W(574) [email protected]

Sunday, June 6

Ann ArborTriathlon /DuathlonPinckney 8:00 amPinckney RecreationArea, Halfmoon LakeBeachTri or Du: 1/2MS/14MB/ 5MR or 2MR,14MB, 5MRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

Bass Festival RunMancelona 9:00 amPalmer Park5KR/WMancelona Bass Festival(231) [email protected]

CHOK YMCAInternational BridgeRaceSarnia, ON 8:00 amCanatara Park, Sarnia;Bring birth certificate &picture id10KR, team 10KR(519) 336-9622, x237


[email protected]

Dexter to AnnArbor RunAnn Arbor 8:00 amMain Street & AnnStreet13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR,kids runHal Wolfe(734) [email protected] Runner Race

Series - half marathon

Hawk Island TriathlonLansing 8:00 amHawk Island County ParkTri: 400 meter S/ 16KB/5KR(517) [email protected]

Racing for RecoveryHalf & Sprint TriathlonMonroe 8:00 amSterling State Parktri: 1.2MS/ 56MB/ 13.1MRor 500mS/ 12MB/ 3.6MR


We Can Do It Women’s5KOkemos 9:00 amMeridian Township Offices5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Tuesday, June 8

Catholic Central 10KRelay Run

Grand Rapids 7:00 pmCatholic Central10K track relay, 2 personteams(616) [email protected]

Wednesday, June 9

Doozie’s Ice Cream FunRun/Walk SeriesMt. Pleasant 7:30 pm1310 East Pickard5MR, 3MR

(989) [email protected]/~mphsstr/

Flushing Evening 5kRun/WalkFlushing 6:15 pmFlushing High School5KR/W(810) [email protected]

Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #1Utica 6:30 pm


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Hansons Running Shop,8409 Hall Roadtraining(248) [email protected]

NCAA Division IOutdoor Track & FieldChampionshipsEugene, ORHayward Field(541) 346-4461ncaasports.com/track-and-field/schedules6/9/10 - 6/12/10

Wayland Road Runners5K RunWayland 6:30 pmWayland HS Track5KR, 2/5KWRay Antel III(269) [email protected]

Friday, June 11

Cooley Law 5KRace forEducationLansing 7:30 pmStart and finish at theState Capitol5KR/W, kids runsTerry Carella(517) 371-5140 X [email protected]/race/

Hatchet Festival 5KRun, 1 Mile StrollBad Axe 6:00 pmBad Axe City Park10KR, 5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Saturday, June 12

Ally Brunk Memorial 5KPotterville 9:00 amPotterville Public Library5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Beat the Grandma 5KAge/Gender GradedRaceGrand Rapids 9:00 amJohn Ball Park Zoo5KR(616) [email protected]

Brian DiemerAmerikam 5KCutlerville/ GrandRapids 9:00 amLegacy ChristianSchool5KR/W, 1MFR, kids’runsRob Hyde(616) [email protected]

Double Time TriThree Rivers 8:30 amKline’s Resort, PortageLakeTri: 400yd S/ 11.5MB/5KR, relay(999) [email protected]

Flirt with DirtNovi 7:30 amLake Shore Park10KR, 5KRRunning Fit(734) [email protected]

Healthy Paws HealthyCause Fun Run/WalkGrand Rapids 8:00 am6735 Cascade Rd SE4MR/W, 2MR/W(616) [email protected]

Kreger Farm BarnRaising 5KFranklin 8:00 am5KR/W(248) [email protected]

Lake MacatawaTriathlonHolland 7:30 amHoward B. Dunton Park0.5MS/ 22.8 MB/ 4.8 MR,2 or 3 person relay teams(616) [email protected]

Lebowsky Benefit 5KOwosso 7:00 pm219 S. Washington St.5KR/WSteve Schlaack(810) [email protected]

Ludington LakestrideHalf Marathon & 5KLudington 8:30 am13.1 MR, 5KRGary Andersen(231) [email protected]

M-22 Challenge: Bike,Paddle, RunGlen Arbor 9:00 am25KB/ 2Kpaddle; 2MR(231) [email protected]

Mackinac IslandLilac Festival10K Run andWalkMackinac Island9:30 amWindemere Point10KR/W, kids runJohn Gault(810) [email protected]

Michigan SugarFestival Road RaceSebewaing 8:30 amSebewaing Downtown Park5KR/W(989) 977-0737barc-mi.com

Midwest Track & FieldMeet of ChampionsFort Wayne, IN 11:30 pmNorthrop HS, SpullerStadiumtrack & fieldJerry Reis/Michigan contact(517) [email protected]/mmc/

North Country TrailRelayBaldwin 6:00 amManistee National Forest77.8 M relay, 6 runnerteams, 15 legs 2.3-9.2 miles(616) [email protected]

Race and RememberDetroit 7:00 amRivard Plaza5KR/W(313) [email protected]

Rose RunJackson 8:00 amPoint to point alongBrown’s Road

5MR, 5KR, 5M hybrid R,4M hybrid relay run(517) [email protected]/runjackson/

St. Joe’s 5K Run, 2 MileWalkPewamo 8:30 amPewamo St. Joseph School5KR, 2MWKen Kramer(989) [email protected]

St. Mark’s 5K Run &Walk for CharityBridgeport 9:00 amSt. Mark’s Church, 3060Williamson Rd.5KR/W(989) [email protected]

SuperkidstryDetroit 9:00 amBelle IsleTriathlon: 100mS/ 5KB/800mR or 200mS/ 10KB/1MR(231) [email protected]

SuperkidstryMonroe 8:00 amtri: 100meterS/ 5KB/800meterR or200meterS/ 10KB/ 1MR(231) [email protected]

USATF Michigan Open/Masters Outdoor Track& Field ChampionshipsHillsdale 1:00 pmHillsdale College MuddyWaters Stadiumtrack meetJan Burch(231) [email protected]

Sunday, June 13

Motor City TriathlonDetroit 8:00 amBelle Isletriathlon: 1.5KS/40KB/6.6MR or 500meterS/ 20KB/ 3.4MR(231) [email protected]

Wed., June 16

Grand Ledge Track and

Field SeriesGrand Ledge 6:30 pmBeagle Middle Schooltrack meet-all comers(517) [email protected]

Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #1Lake Orion 6:30 pmHansons Running Shoptraining(248) [email protected]

Human RaceMt. Pleasant 6:30 pmReservation, East RemusRoad 5KR(989) [email protected]/~mphsstr/

Road Racing at MetroBeachHarrison Twp 7:00 pmPointe Road - Metro Beach4M prediction runBob Blunk(248) [email protected]

Wayland Road Runners4 Mile Prediction RunWayland 6:30 pmWayland Union HS Track4 MR prediction run(269) [email protected]

Thursday, June 17

Glen Arbor ClioFirecracker 5KClio 6:15 pmCarter Middle School5KR/W, kids runJohn Gault(810) [email protected]

Strides for Life 100 MileRunHolland 8:00 amHope College25MR, 50MR, 75MR,100MR, 25 miles per day(231) [email protected]/6/17/10- 6/20/10

Friday, June 18

Kids’ KlassicKalamazoo 6:00 pmYMCA on Maple St.1KFRKim Klein


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May - August 2010 Event Calendar(269) [email protected]

Pregnancy ServicesRace 4 Life 5KLansing 9:00 amGranger Meadows Park5KR/W Sara Russ(517) [email protected]

Saturday, June 19

Antioch’s Get HealthyNow 5K Run/WalkLansing 8:30 amHawk Island County Park5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Bay Area Family YRiver Run ClassicBay City 9:00 amBay County CommunityCenter5KR/W, 1/2M Kids R(989) 893-1093ymcabaycity.com/events.htm

Cheesetown ChallengePinconning 6:00 pmDoc Letchfield Park5 MR, 2 MR/W, kids run(989) [email protected]

Courthouse ClassicLaGrange, IN 8:30 am5KR/W, 1MFR(260) [email protected]

CROP 10K & 5K RunMacon 9:00 am11964 Macon Hwy10KR, 5KR(517) [email protected] can run both racesand get in a 15K

Girls on the RunSummer Solstice 5KSault Ste. Marie, MI5KR

Stacy Lischka(517) 420-3557

Johan’s TriFestHopkins 8:00 amSandy Pines ResortTriathlon Olympic: 1.5KS/40KB/ 10KR(616) [email protected]

Joshua SpalsburyMemorial Comet Chase5K

Grand Ledge 8:30 amFirst United MethodistChurch5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Kalamazoo KlassicKalamazoo 7:30 amYMCA, 1001 West Maple10KR, 5KR/W, 5KFW(269) [email protected]


40

Michigan Runner RaceSeries - 10K

Michigan BrewingCompany Beer RunWebberville time tbaMichigan BrewingCompany 5KR(517) [email protected]

Metroparks HappyTrails 5KToledo, OH 9:00 amWildwood PreserveMetropark 5KR/W(419) [email protected]

Moon in JuneWindsor, ON 6:45 pmRiverside Sportsmen Club10KR, 5KR/W, kids run(519) [email protected]

Out & About AutismShelby Township 9:30 amStony Creek Metro Park,Eastwood Beach PicnicArea 5KR/W(586) [email protected]

Rhino Romp Children’sMileLansingPotter Park Zookids 1MR(517) [email protected]

Run for a CauseAda 8:30 amAda Elementary School5KR/W, 1.5MR/W(616) [email protected]

Run for FoodHuron TownshipWillow Metro Park5KR/W(734) [email protected]/events/

Spring Lake HeritageFestival 5K Run/WalkSpring Lake 8:00 amCentral Park5KR/W(616) [email protected]

Tulip City Tiny TikesTriathlonHolland 9:30 amSmallenburg Park Campus& Municipal StadiumTri: S / B /R(616) [email protected]/rec

Until Journey’s EndTrail RunGrand Rapids 8:00 amCannonsburg ski area10KR, 5KR, kids run(616) [email protected]

Sunday, June 20

Big FishTriathlon,Duathlon,SprintHadley Township8:00 amBig Fish Lake StatePark1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KR;500mS/ 20KB/5KR;5KRDuathlon: 5KR/20KB/ 5KR(231) [email protected]

Cedar Creek Run 4TrailsFort Wayne, IN 8:30 amMetea County Park 5KR(260) [email protected]

Father’s Day Run forRecovery 5KCharlotte Bennett Park5KR/W(517) [email protected]

PlymouthYMCA Father’sDay RunPlymouth 7:30 amDowntown Plymouth10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR/W, Triple (all 3races, 10.3 miles),Kid’s trot/jogCindy Morency(734) [email protected]

Run for the Ribbon 5Kfor Prostate CareAwarenessHuntington Woods 8 amDetroit Zoo 5KR/W(586) [email protected]

XTERRA TornShirt Triathlon/DuathlonBrighton8:00 amBrighton RecreationArea, Bishop LakeTri: 1/2 MS/ 15MB/6MR; Du: 2MR/15MB/ 6MRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

Tuesday, June 22

Forest Hills EasternHigh School Track MeetGrandville 6:00 pmGrandville High School1MR, 800meter R, 400meter relay, 100 meters,2MW(616) [email protected]

Wed., June 23

Grand Ledge Track andField SeriesGrand Ledge 6:30 pmBeagle Middle School trackmeet-all comers(517) [email protected]

Hansons MarathonClinic #1Grosse Pointe 6:30 pmHansons Running Shop,20641 Mack Ave.training(248) [email protected]

TriceratopsTriathlonBrighton 6:30 pmIsland Lake RecreationAreaTri: 1/2MS/ 12.4MB/5KR/Running Fit(734) [email protected]

Twilight RunLansing 7:00 pm200 Museum Drive,Lansing River Trail5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Wayland Road Runners4 Mile Handicap RunWayland 6:30 pmWayland Union HS Track4 MR, 2MW(269) [email protected]

Thursday, June 24

MCS 1 and 3 MileRun/Racewalk and ClubPicnicHuntington Woods 6:30 pmHuntington WoodsRecreation Center3 MR, 1 MR(248) [email protected]

St. Stan’s PolishFestival Road Race -Tentative DateBay City 6:15 pmSt. Stan’s Athletic Field5KR/WJeff Hahn(989) 450-8973barc-mi.com

YMCA RetreadRun/Shoes for KidsFlint 6:30 pmDowntown Flint YMCA8KR, 5KR/WJohn Gault(810) [email protected] old, wearable run-ning/walking shoes

Friday, June 25

Hansons 3 Mile Cross-Country RaceSterling Heights 7:00 pmDodge Park 3 MR(586) [email protected]

Saturday, June 26

Artful DodgerRiverview RunSt. Clair 8:30 amSt. Clair Riverview Plaza5KR(810) [email protected]

Bank of America ReedsLake RunGrand Rapids 8:00 amReeds Lake10KR, 5KR/WSusan Perry(616) [email protected]

Binder Park ZooCheetah ChaseBattle Creek 8:00 amBinder Park Zoo5KR/W, 1MFRAmy Riegel(269) 979-1351, ext. [email protected]

CharlevoixMarathonCharlevoix 7:00 amBridge Street26.2MR, 13.1MR,10KR, 5KR/WSharon Suffolk(248) [email protected]

The Chronicle SeawayRunMuskegon 8:00 amMuskegan Family YMCA15KR, 5KR/W, kids run(231) [email protected]

Concord Classic 5KRun/WalkConcord 8:00 amConcord High School5KR/W, 1/2 M Kid’s Run(517) [email protected]/runjackson/

Curt Knierim MemorialRun/WalkNewberry 8:30 amNewberry HS Track5MR, 5KR/W, 1MFR/W(248) [email protected]

Glenda’s Glide 5K Runand WalkAuburn Hills 7:56 amdowntown Auburn Hills5KR/WCrim Fitness Foundation(810) [email protected]


41

Max’s RaceEast Lansing 8:30 amMichigan State Universityauditorium5KR/W, kids run(517) [email protected]

Muddy Watters, Bump& Run Trail Series,Race #2Rochester Hills 9:00 amBloomer Park, MountainAsh Shelter 4.5MR(248) [email protected]

MWCAA Corporate CupRelaysSouthfield 7:30 amSouthfield HS, 10 Mile &Lahser Rd10KR, 5KR/W, trackrelays, shot put, longjump, high jump(313) [email protected]

Open Door JulieRun/Walk - ten-tative dateCommerce Twp.9:00 amWalled LakeNorthern HighSchool, 6000 BogieLake Road.10KR, 5KR/WJulie Leblanc(248) [email protected]

Portland St. PatrickParish Festival 5K RunPortland 8:30 amPortland HS(517) [email protected]

Solstice RunNorthville 7:30 amFord Field, GriswoldSt. north of Main,downtownNorthville10MR, 10KR, 5KR/W,Kids RunAlan Whitehead(248) [email protected] Runner RaceSeries - 5K


42

Sunday, June 27

Bear Lake TriNorth Muskegon 8:00 amNorth Muskegon SportsCenterTri: 750mS / 20KB / 5KR,1.5KS / 35MB / 7.2MR,Du: 5KR / 20KB / 5KRRelay: 1500mS / 35MB /7.1MR(231) [email protected]

Clawson 5K FreedomRunClawson 7:30 pmClawson City Park5KR, 1MFRTwin Runs(248) [email protected]

Dogwood 5K Run & 2Mile WalkSaxon, WI 8:30 am CDTIron County Fairgrounds5KR, 2MR/W(715) [email protected]


Iron Goddess TriathlonWaterloo 8:00 amPortage Lake, WaterlooRecreation AreaTri: sprint, half sprint; Du:sprint(734) [email protected]

Kensington TriathlonPresented by RudyProjectsMilford 8:00 amKensington Metropark /Maple BeachTri: 1/2MS / 15MB / 4MR(734) [email protected]

Linden SummerHappeningsLinden 8:30 amLinden High School5KR, 1MR


Pictured RocksRoad Race -Run for the RedCrossMunising 8:00 amR.W. Nebel Field13.1MR, 5KR, FW(906) [email protected] pic-turedrocksroad-race.com

RonaldMcDonaldFoun-dationTri-MichiganDetroit Metro Area8:00 amTriathlon3 Disciplines(231) [email protected]

She RocksTriathlon/DuathlonChelsea 8:00 amBig Portage Lake, WaterlooRecreation Areatri: .5MS/ 10.7MB/ 3MRor .25MS/ 10.7MB/ 1.5MRor 1.5MR/ 10.7MB/ 3MREva Solomon(734) [email protected] only

Stepping Out to CureSclerodermaRoyal Oak 7:00 amDetroit Zoo5KR, 2MW, 1MR kidsrun(248) [email protected]/chapter/michigan

Wed., June 30

Grand Ledge Track andField SeriesGrand Ledge 6:30 pmBeagle Middle Schooltrack meet-all comers(517) 627-9076

[email protected]

Wayland Road Runners5 Mile Graveyard RunWayland 6:30 pmWayland HS Track5MR, 2.5MW(269) [email protected]

JulyThursday, July 1

Beaverton RunBeaverton 7:00 pmBeaverton HS track4 MR, 2MW(989) 435-4111barc-mi.com

Friday, July 2

Harbor Shores 5K RunBenton Harbor 7:00 pmJean Klock Park 5KR(352) 241-7144, ext [email protected]

Saturday, July 3

Bostwick LakeTriathlonRockford 8:00 am6775 Sunset Cove,Bostwick LakeTri: .4MS/ 14MB/ 3MR(616) [email protected]

Caledonia Kilt Klassic5KCaledonia 8:00 am9757 Duncan Lake Ave.5KR/W(616) [email protected]

Coach Kelly 5KSt. Louis 8:00 amSt. Louis High School5KR/W, 1MFR(989) [email protected]

Dorks Brothers 4th ofJuly RunAlpena 9:00 amAlpena County Fairgrounds5KR, 1MR


Firecracker 5 Mile RunGladstone 9:00 am EDTVanCleve Park Pavilion5MR/W(906) [email protected]

Firecracker TriathlonBenton Harbor 8:00 amJean Klock Park1/4MS/ 11MB/ 3MR, kidstri(269) [email protected]

GHXC Patriots Day 5KRoad and Trail RunGrand Haven 8:30 amGrand Haven HS 5KR(616) [email protected]

Hills & Dales Races -Tentative DateCass City 8:00 amHills & Dales Hospital8KR, 5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Pace for Poverty RunRichland 8:00 amGull Lake CommunitySchools10KR, 5KR, FW(269) [email protected]

Run & Walk forFundsNorthport 9:00 amHistoric NorthportDepot10KR, 5KR, 2 MW(231) [email protected]

Schoolcraft Firecracker5 MilerSchoolcraft 8:00 amSchoolcraft HS5MR, 1MFR/W(269) [email protected]

St. Mary’s FestivalWestphalia 8:00 am

St. Mary’s School5MR, 5KR/W(989) [email protected]

VolkslaufeFrankenmuth 8 amHeritage Park20KR, 10KR, 5KR/W,2KFR-kids run(989) 860-3388 or(800) [email protected]

YMCA Buck Creek RunGrandville 8:00 amGrandville MS5 KR/W, kids runs(616) [email protected]

Sunday, July 4

Ann ArborFirecracker 5KAnn Arbor8:00 amDowntown Ann Arbor5KR/W, kids dashChampions forCharity(734) [email protected]

Boyne CityIndependence Day RunBoyne City 7:30 amDowntown Boyne City10KR, 2 MR(231) [email protected]

Dorr 5K Run/WalkDorr 7:30 amSt. Peters Lutheran Church5KR/W(616) [email protected]

Firecracker 5KBeulah 8:00 amBeulah Park Pavilion5KR(231) 930-4222kellya@benzieschools.netcrystallakecommunitybusi-nessassoc.com

Firecracker 5KCorunna 8:00 amStu Cotts Pavilion,, Ferry



43

Street5KR/W, 1MFR(989) [email protected]/julyrace.html

Hanover FirecrackerHanover 8:00 amHanover Fire Station5 MR, 5KW, kids runJeff Heath(517) [email protected]/runjackson/

Horse Tail ScrambleHancock 1:00 PMChurning Rapids Trails10KR, 5KW(906) [email protected]/Calendar.htm

HowellIndependenceAquathlon andOpen WaterSwimHowell 9:00 amHowell City Park2KR/ 1KS/ 2KR or1MSChris Galatis(517) 546-0693, [email protected]

Hungry Duck RunBrighton 7:00 amGrand River & Main13.1MR, 5KR, kids funrun(810) [email protected]

Pickerel RunAlgonac 8:00 amAlgonac Elementary School10KR, 5KR/W(810) [email protected]

Run & Walk for Funds,Northport, is July 3

Ryan Shay MidsummerNight RunCentral Lake 7:00 pmThurston Park10KR, 5KR, 1MFRJoe Shay(231) [email protected]


44

Volkslaufe is July 3

Tuesday, July 6

Richmond Park CrossCountryGrand Rapids 7:00 pmRichmond Park5KR, 1.5MR, kids run(616) [email protected]

Wednesday, July 7


Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #2Royal Oak 6:30 pmHansons Running Shop,3407 Rochestertraining(248) [email protected]

Wayland Road Runners7 Mile Handicap RunWayland 6:30 pmWayland HS Track7MR, 3.5MW(269) [email protected]

Thursday, July 8

Auburn Cornstalk 5KRun/WalkAuburn 6:30 pmWestern High School5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Huckleberry Hustle 5kTrail Run - TentativedateFlint 7:00 pmCross roads Village &Huckleberry Railroad5KR/W, kids run(810) [email protected]

Saturday, July 10

Anchor Bay TriathlonNew Baltimore 7:30 am1/2MS/ 17.7KB/ 4.8i3K(586) [email protected]

cityofnewbaltimore.com/recreaqtion.asp

Bethany Race for Home5KSterling Heights 9:30 amDelia Park 5KR/W(248) [email protected]/raceforhome/

Dances withDirt - Devil’sLakeBaraboo, WIRunning Fit(734) [email protected]

Elsie Dairy DashElsie 7:30 amVillage Main Street5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Kindleberger SummerFestival of the Arts 5KRun/WalkParchment 8:00 amKindleberger Park5KR/W, kids run(269) (569) [email protected]/5krunwalk.php

Lakeshore Miracle RunHolland 8:30 am4686 66th Street10KR(616) [email protected]

Michigan SeniorOlympics SummerGames 5KRochester 8:00 amOPC5KFR/W(248) [email protected]

National CherryFestival 15K &5KTraverse City7:30 amEastern Elementary,1600 Eastern Ave.15KR, 5KR/WMandy DePuy(800) [email protected]

cherryfestival.orgMichigan Runner RaceSeries

Port Austin Run forYouth for Christ - tenta-tive datePort Austin 8:30 amGallup Park8KR, 2 MR/WCharlotte Thuemmel(989) [email protected]

Razzasque 5KLeRoy 8:15 amLeRoy Elementary School5KR/W(231) [email protected]

Rockford Area KidsTriathlonRockford 9:00 amRockford HStriathlon: kids 0-17; dis-tances vary by age(517) [email protected]

Rollie Hopgood’sMidtown Taylor 5K RunTaylor 9:00 amHeritage Park, 12111Pardee5KR/W, 1MFRGreg Everal(734) [email protected]

Son of a Sailor HessLake 10K Run/WalkNewaygo 8:30 amHess Lake, River ValleyCommunity Church10KR/W(231) [email protected]

Tawas Kiwanis’ Run bythe BayEast Tawas 9:00 am1st block of NewmanStreet5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Sunday, July 11

Gallup GallopAnn Arbor 8:30 amGallup Park, Canoe Livery5KR/W, 1 MR(734) [email protected]

Grand Haven Triathlon,Sprint Tri, & DuathlonGrand Haven 7:45 amTri-Cities Family YMCA1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KR or500meterS/ 20KB/ 5KR or5KR/ 20KB/ 5KR, kids tri(616) [email protected]

Inter-RockinTri, Du,SprintTriInterlochen 8:00 amInterlochen StatePark1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KRor 500 meter S/20KB, 5KR or 5KR/20KB/ 5KRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]

Muddy Buddy Ride &Run SeriesShelby Township 8:00 amStoney Creek Metro Park6-7MR/B team relay(818) [email protected]

Run for Life 5K Run &WalkMt. Morris 8:00 amKnights of Columbus5KR/W(810) [email protected]

Run Your Bass OffCrystal Falls9:00 am-CentralRunkle Lake Park10KR, 3.6MR, 2MW(906) [email protected]/Crystal-Falls-Business-Association-Run-Your-Bass-Off.html

WaterlooTriathlon /DuathlonGrass Lake 8:00 amBig Portage Lake,Seymour RoadTri: 1/2MS/ 16MB/5MR; Du: 2MR/16MB/ 5MRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) 829-2398

[email protected]

Wednesday, July 14

Grand Ledge Track andField SeriesGrand Ledge 6:30 pmBeagle Middle School trackmeet-all comers(517) [email protected]

Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #2Utica 6:30 pmHansons Running Shoptraining(586) [email protected]

Wayland Road RunnersTrack WorkoutWayland 6:30 pmWayland HS Track3200mR, 400mR, 200mR,100mR(269) [email protected]

Friday, July 16

Great Lakes RelayEastpointe6:00 am Begins nearTawas; finishes in Empire270 M Relay(313) [email protected]/16/10 - 7/18/10

Hansons 3 Mile Cross-Country RaceRomeo 7:00 pmWolcott Farm3 MR(586) [email protected]

Michigan SeniorOlympics SummerGames Track MeetRochester 4:00 pmAdams High School tracktrack and field: race walk,1500mR, 5KR(248) [email protected]

Saturday, July 17

Alpenfest RunGaylord 7:30 amPavilion on Court


48

Street10MR/W, 4MR/W, 1MFRMike Tarbutton(989) [email protected]/AFRace.htm

Bastille Days 5KRun/Walk and 15KRFenton 7:45 am150 S. Leroy15KR, 5KR/WAdam Haffajee(810) [email protected]/5k-run/

Bear River CrawlPetoskey 8:00 amBay Front Park10KR, 5KR(231) 347-9300mbowers@northernmichigans-portsmed.comnorthernmichigans-portsmed.com

Brainy Day 5KNunica 9:00 am12718 Cleveland Street5KR/W(616) [email protected]

Escape to Belle IsleRaceDetroit 8:30 amBelle Isle10KR/W, 5KR/W, kids run(810) [email protected]

Farmington FoundersFestivalFarmington 9:00 amShaiwassee Park4 MR(248) [email protected]

Gazelle Sports Tri delSolMiddleville 8:00 amYMCA Camp Manitou-LinTri 1/2 MS, 18MB, 4.5MR;Du 2MR, 18MB, 4.5MR(616) [email protected]

Hopkins 5K Run &WalkHopkins 7:30 am5KR/W Kathy Sebright(269) [email protected]

Indian RiverSummerfest Kiwanis10K/ 5K RunIndian River 8:00 amLumber Yard, Straits Hwy10KR, 5KR/W(231) [email protected]

Kelly CarterScholarship RunTecumseh9:00 amCarter Rehab Center, 902Industrial Drive10KR, 5KR, 1MW(517) [email protected]

Michigan SeniorOlympics SummerGames Track MeetRochester 8:00 amAdams High School tracktrack and field: race walk,1500mR, 5KR(248) [email protected]

Our Redeemer CaresHabitat Run - tentativedateMidland 9:00 amOur Redeemer Church5KR, 1.5MR, kids run(989) [email protected]

The Rose RunPetersburg 8:30 am10 East Center St.5KR/WJessica [email protected]

Run Thru SpartaSparta 8:00 amSparta Middle Scfhool5KR/W, kid’s runMarguerite Teliczan(616) [email protected]

Salomon/MooseJawAdventure RageGrayling 6:00 am30 hours, 2-4 personteams: or solo; trekking,biking, canoeing, ropes,navigation, plotting(810) [email protected] day event: 7/17/10 -7/18/10

SuperkidstryHartland 9:00 amHartland HSTriathlon: 100mS/5KB/ 800mR or200mS/ 10KB/ 1MRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]

Venetian River Run -tentative dateSt Joseph 7:00 amLake Blvd and Ship St.5KR/W(269) [email protected]

Sunday, July 18

Clark LakeTriathlon &DuathlonClark Lake 8:30 amClark Lake Beach &Boat Club1/2MS, 13 MB, 4 MRor 2.4MR, 13MB,4MRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

Fight Hunger 5KOkemos 9:00 amMeridian Township offices,5151 Marsh Rd.5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Friendly MasseyMarathon &Spanish RiverHalf-MarathonMassey, ON 6:00 amMassey District Arena26.2MR,, 13.1MR,10KRElizabeth Gamble(705) [email protected]

Happy Trails TriathlonMilford 8:00 amKensington Metropark,Maple Beach800mS/ 20KB/ 5KR(248) 685-3020jhancook@

ymcametrodetroit.orgactive.com

Kiwanis Island RunEaton Rapids 8:00 amG.A.R. Island Park5KRW(517) [email protected]

Michigan SeniorOlympics SummerGames TriathlonRochester 8:00 amOakland Universitytriathlon(248) [email protected]

Republic Bank CanalRun/WalkHancock 7:00 amMcLain State Park10MR/W(906) [email protected]

Tri 4 LifeTriathlonOtter Lake 8:00 amKensingtonMetroparkTriathlons: sprint andOlympic3 Disciplines(231) [email protected]

Michigan SeniorOlympics SummerGames 5KRochester 9:00 amOPC 5KR(248) [email protected]

Tuesday, July 20

Aman Park Trail RunGrand Rapids 7:00 pm1895 Lake Michigan Dr.5.5MR, 1.5M kidsrun/bike/runGrand Rapids RunningClub(616) [email protected]

Wednesday, July 21

Grand Ledge Track andField Series -Championship

Grand Ledge 6:30 pmBeagle Middle School trackmeet-all comers(517) [email protected]

Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #2Lake Orion 6:30 pmHansons Running Shop, 3South Broadwaytraining(248) [email protected]

Michigan SeniorOlympics SummerGames 5KRochester 9:00 amOPC 10KR(248) [email protected]

PterodactylTriathlonBrighton 6:30 pmIsland LakeRecreation AreaTri: 1/2MS/ 5KR/20KBRunning Fit(734) [email protected]

Wayland Road RunnersCross Country RunWayland 6:30 pmEast Kentwood XC Coursealong scenic Falcon Creek5KR, 2.5MW(269) [email protected]

Friday, July 23

YMCA / Wells FargoAdvisors Kids TriathlonPortage 5:00 pmPortage YMCA25ydS/ 1MB/ 1/2MR or75ydS/ 2MB/ 1MR(269) [email protected]

Saturday, July 24

Arcadia Daze 5KR,10KRArcadia 9:00 am5KR(231) 889-0265ArcadiaTwpMi.Org

Gopher the Gold


49

Shelby Township 9:00 amRiver Bends Park10KR, 5KR, kids run(248) [email protected]

Ionia Free Fair 5K RaceIonia 8:00 amIonia Free Fair Grounds3MR(616) [email protected]/ioniafair.htm

Muddy Shoe 5K TrailRunSouth LyonVolunteer [email protected]/races.html

Plainwell Island City 5KPlainwell 8:00 am5KR/W, 1MFR(269) [email protected]

Race to RejoiceTriathlonMattawan 8:30 amCalvary Reformed ChurchSprint Triathlon(269) [email protected]

Road Runner ClassicNorthville 5:00 pmMaybury State Park8KR/W, 1MFR(734) [email protected]

Run for an InstrumentalLifelong ExperienceColdwater 8:00 am5KR/W(734) [email protected]

Ryan Shay MileCharlevoix10:30 amdowntown Charlevoix1MR - invitational(231) [email protected]/

Tigertown 5000 RoadRace

Liberty Center, OH 9 amLibery Center HS 5KR/W(419) [email protected]

Tuuri Race Day 5K RunWalk & 10K RunFlint 7:30 amHurley Medical Center10KR, 5KR/W, 1MW, KidsRun(810) 257-9428gaultracemanagement.com

VenetianFestival JeffDrenthMemorial FootRacesCharlevoix9:00 amMt. McSauba SkiLodge10KR, 5KR, 1 MR,1MFR(231) [email protected]

Sunday, July 25

CarrolltonFestival ofRacesCarrollton 6:00 amCarrollton HighSchool, 1235Mapleridge Road26.2 MR, 20KR, 10KR,5KR/WCraig Douglas(989) [email protected] am early bird start; 5K& 10K start at 8:15 am

Crosstown KidsTriathlonHowell 9:00 amHowell Area AquaticsCentertriathlon distances

vary by age(517) [email protected]

Ele’s Place 5KOkemos 9:00 amJackson National LifeInsurance Company5KR/W, 1M kids run(517) [email protected]


Iron Goddess 5KAnn Arbor 8:00 amMichigan League, 911, N.University5KR(734) [email protected]

MackinawMulti-Sport MixMackinaw City 8 amWaywatum ParkTri: 800mS/ 30KB/5KR, Du: 2MR/ 30KB/5KR or 5KRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]

Rudyard LionsSummerfest Triathlon &5KRudyard 9:30 amRudyard High SchoolTri: 3.1MR/ 14.9MB/500mS (pool); Run: 5K(906) [email protected]/re_10026/RudyardLionsSummerfest5KTriathlon.html

Run for aRemedyLake Orion 8:00 am




Glitz NXT, OrionTownship5KR/WNina Harless(248) [email protected]

Running from CancerTecumseh, ON 8:00 amTecumseh Arena13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR/W,kids run(519) [email protected]

Monday, July 26

Hansons Middle/HighSchool Day CampSterling Heights 9:00 amDelia Park 7-12th gradeHansons Running Shop(586) [email protected]/26/10 - 7/29/10

Wednesday, July 28

Grand Ledge Track andField Series - FinaleGrand Ledge 6:30 pmBeagle Middle School trackmeet-all comers(517) [email protected]

Hansons MarathonTraining Clinic #2Grosse Pointe 6:30 pmHansons Running Shop,20641 Mack Ave.training(313) [email protected]

Road Racing at MetroBeachHarrison Twp 7:00 pmPointe Road - Metro Beach5KRBob Blunk(248) [email protected]/arpraces/

Run the MountainMt. Pleasant 7:30 pmMountain Town Station5KR(989) [email protected]

Wayland Road Runners2 Person/8 Mile RelayWayland 6:30 pmWayland HS Track8 MRelay

(269) [email protected] way-landroadrunners.com

Friday, July 30

Hansons 3 Mile Cross-Country RaceSterling Heights 7:00 pmDelia Park3MR(586) [email protected]

Saturday, July 31

Alden RunAlden 9:00 am10KR, 5KR/WSteve Kershner(231) [email protected]

Byron Bank 5KByron Center 8:30 amByron Bank, 2445 84th St.5KR/W(616) [email protected]

The Legend 5 &10 Mile TrailRunLaingsburg 8:00 amLake Ovid, SleepyHollow State Park10MR, 5MRRunning Fit(734) [email protected]

LumbermanTriathlonCadillac 8:00 am1.5KS/ 40KB/ 6.4MRor 500meterS/ 20KB/3.2MR or 5KR/ 20KB/5KR(231) [email protected]

Mt Morris PokerChallengeMt. Morris 8:00 amMt. Morris Middle School12KR, 5KR/W, 1MR, LittleJoker Shuffle(810) [email protected]

Muddy Watters, Bump& Run Trail Series,Race #3Rochester Hills 9:00 amBloomer Park, MountainAsh Shelter5.5MR(248) [email protected]

Steve’s RunDowagiac 9:00 am10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFR/WRon Gunn(269) [email protected]/fireup/stevesrun/10K, Michigan RunnerRace Series

Sunfield IGA 5KSunfield 10:00 amVanBuren Park5KR/W, kids race(517) [email protected]

Tri Cities Family CoastGuard Festival 5K &10KGrand Haven 8:00 amYMCA10KR, 5KR/W(616) 842-7051, [email protected]

Whirlpool Steelhead70.3 TriathlonBenton Harbor / St. Joseph7:00 amJean Klock Park1.2 MS, 56 MB, 13.1 MR -half ironman(773) [email protected]

AugustSunday, August 1

Bath Trail RunBath 9:00 amBath High School5KR/W, kids runRick Hammond(517) [email protected]

C-Roy BolognaRun/Walk - tentativeYale 8:00 am200 Main St.5KR, 1MR/W

(810) [email protected]/yalecrosscountry/

CraigGreenfieldMemorialTriathlon &DuathlonClarkston 8:00 amDepot Park800 meter S/ 16MB/4.4MR or 1.9MR/16MB/ 4.4MRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]

Downtown YMCA 5KRun/WalkLansing 10:00 amRiverfront Park5KR/W, 1MR/W(517) [email protected]

EastpointeLions Club OxRoast RunEastpointe 8:30 amKennedy Park onStephens Road5R/1MFR/WKim Lubinski(586) [email protected]

Grand IslandTrail Marathon& 10KMunising 7:00 amWilliams Landing,Grand Island, LakeSuperior26.2 MR, 10KRJeff Crumbaugh(715) [email protected]

“Run Like Mike” Rutka5KAnn Arbor9:00 amGallup Park5KR, 2MW, kids’ dashKathleen Gina(734) 369-2492thebigdog@

twodogsrunning.comrunlikemike.org

Women’s OnlyTriathlon & Dri-TriSylvania, OH 7:30 amCentennial Terrace &Quarry400yardS, 13MB,3.1MR or 1MR, 13MB,3.1MRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

Wed., August 4


Road Racing at MetroBeachHarrison Twp 7:00 pmPointe Road - Metro Beach5KR(248) [email protected]

Wayland Road Runners4 Mile Run & BanquetWayland 6:30 pmGun Lake State Park4 MFR, 2MW(269) 792-2427 or (616)[email protected]

Thursday, August 5

Great Pizza ChallengeFlint 6:30 pmDowntown Flint YMCA5KR/W, 1/4 MR(810) [email protected]

Stony Creek DistanceRunShelby Twp 6:00 pmStony Creek Metropark,Eastwood Beach5KR, 1MFR(248) [email protected]

Saturday, August 7

a-Round Green Lake


Association Walk/RunCaledonia 8:30 amGreen Lake5KR/W, 1MFR(616) [email protected]

AdvoKate RunRochester 8:30 amRochester Municipal Park10KR, 5KR/W, 1MW(248) [email protected]

Aspirus KeweenawCopperman TriathlonCopper HarborFort Wilkins State Park0.5MS/ 23MB/ 5MR(906) [email protected]

Catholic Federal PigGig - tentative dateBay City 10:30 amVet’s Park5KR/W, kids runAnn Gasta(989) [email protected]

Coloma Glad-PeachRun/ Walk/ BikeColoma 8:05 amN. West St.10KR/B, 5KR/W/B, .6KFR(269) [email protected]

Crystal Lake 8K/5KCrystal 8:00 amCrystal Elementary School5MR, 5KRJanet Campbell(989) 328-1208 / (989)[email protected]

Imlay City BlueberryStomp 5KImlay City 9:00 amImlay City Town Hall5KR/W(810) [email protected]

Lake Antoine ClassicIron Mountain 9 am CSTLake Antoine County Park15KR, 5MR/W, 2MR/W,15KB(906) [email protected]

Logan’s RunSouth Bend, IN 8:30 amNotre Dame campus10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFW(574) 289-4831, Ext. [email protected]

Merrill Farm FestMerrill 8:00 amMerrill High School5KR/W(989) [email protected]

Mint City 10 Miler, 5K &Family Fun WalkSt. Johns 7:30 am900 W. Townsend St.10MR, 5KR(989) [email protected]

Ready Or Not 5KOtsego 8:00 amMemorial Park5K/WSteve Long(269) [email protected]

Saline’s Summerfest5K Run/WalkSaline 8:30 am5KR/WChamber of Commerce(724) [email protected]/

Shermanator Triathlon& 5K RunAugusta 8:30 amSherman Lake YMCA5KR, sprint triathlon: 500yd.S/ 10MB/ 5KR, kids run(269) [email protected]

Streets of Fire 8KGrand Rapids 6:30 pmKosciuszko Hall, 935 ParkNW 8KR/W(616) [email protected]

SylvaniaSuperKidsTriathlon /DuathlonSylvania, OH 7:30 amOlander Park

varies by age groupJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

UA Scholarship Fund1K & 5K Run/WalkAnn Arbor 9:00 amWashtenaw CommunityCollege5KR/W, 1KW(734) [email protected]/

Sunday, August 8

SylvaniaTriathlon/DuathlonSylvania, OH 7:30 amTam-O-ShanterSportsComplex,Olander ParkOlympic Tri: 1.5MS/40KB/ 10KR; SprintTri: 0.25S/ 13MB/5KR; Du: 3KR/40KB/ 10KRJim / Joyce Donaldson(419) [email protected]

LansingLegislator Tri,Du, SprintLansing 8:00 amSleepy Hollow StatePark1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KRor 500meterS/ 20KB/5KR or 5KR/ 20KB/5KRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]

Milford Fun Days 5KMilford 8:00 amCentral Park, DowntownMilford5KR/W(248) 685-7129, ext. [email protected]

Run Through the HillsVassar 9:00 amVassar High School5KR/W(989) 823-7574

[email protected]/

Tuesday, August 10

Siren Chase 5KEast Grand Rapids 7 pmAquinas College5KR(616) [email protected]

Wed., August 11

Strider Track MeetMt. Pleasant 7:30 pmMt. Pleasant HS Track,1155 South Elizabethtrack and field(989) [email protected]/~mphsstr/

Thurs., August 12

Bauman’s Charity 5KFlint 6:45 pmKettering UniversityRecreation Center5KR/W, kids runsRiverbend Striders(810) 238-5981riverbendstriders.com

Marquette County FairMid-Summer Night FunRunMarquette 5:30 pmMarquette CountyFairgrounds4 MR(906) 226-6924marquettecountyfair.com

Thunder Bolt 5K Run &Cross Country SchoolTeam ChallengeWhitehall 6:30 pmFunnel Field5KR/W(231) [email protected]

Friday, August 13

St John’s Festival 5KRun/Walk and 1/4M TotTrot is Saturday,August 14.

Sat, August 14

Almont’s Run forHealth - tentative date

Almont 9:00 amAlmont High School5KR/W, 1/4MFR(810) 798-7500barc-mi.com

Board of Water and LightHometown Power 5KLansing 9:00 amBWL Customer ServiceCenter , 1232 Halco Drive5KR/W(517) [email protected]

Crystal Lake TeamMarathonBeulah 8:00 amBeulah Park Pavilion26.2 M RelayAsa & Traci Kelly(231) 930-4222kellya@benzieschools.netcrystallakecommunitybusi-nessassoc.com

Dwayne Rau MemorialRoad RaceWest Branch 8:30 amSurline Middle School5KR, 2.5KW(989) [email protected]

Fallsburg Festival ofRacesLowell 8:00 amFallsburg Park26.2MR, 13.1MR, 5KR(616) [email protected]

Hansinger Mud FestPort Huron 9:30 amJeddo Boy Scout Camp,7140 Jeddo Road.5MR/B team obstacle raceJoel Eisinger(517) [email protected]

National BlueberryFestival 5KSouth Haven 8:00 amLake Michigan shoreline5KR/W, kids run(269) [email protected]

Origami 5KMason 9:00 am3181 Sandhill Rd.5KR, 1MW(517) [email protected]


53

Orthopedic AssociatesFun RunPort Huron 9:00 am940 River Centre Drive10KR, 5KR, 1MFR/W(810) [email protected]

Paavo Nurmi MarathonHurley, WI 7:30 am CDTUpson to Hurley26.2MR, 2 & 5 person

August Saturday,August 7, 2010 UAScholarship Fund 1K & 5KRun/Walk Ann Arbor9:00am WashtenawCommunity College5KR/W, 1KWKim Billings (734)[email protected]/relays(866) [email protected] orpaavonurmimarathon.com/

Petoskey Festival bythe Bay Wellness Walk& RunPetoskey 9:00 amBayfront Park

5KR/W, 1MR/W, kids run(231) [email protected]

Sanford andSun TriathlonSanford 8:00 amSanford LakaeCountry ParkTri: 1.5KS/ 40KB/10KR or 500 meterS/20KB/ 5KRDu: 2MR/ 20KB/ 5KRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]

Spread Eagle BarrensTrail Run/WalkFlorence, WILePage Creek Overlook12KR, 5KR(715) [email protected]

St John’s Festival 5KRun/Walk and 1/4M TotTrotEssexville 6:30 pmCorner of Main & Hudson5KR/W, 1MR


St. Joseph IslandTriathlon, Duathlon andKids of Steel TriathlonSt. Joseph Island, ON 9 amRichards LandingTri: 1500mS/ 40KB/ 10KRor 750mS/ 20KB/ 5KR or400mS/ 10KB/ 2.5KRDu: 10KR/ 40KB/ 5KR or5KR/ 20KB/ 2.5KR, kidstri-distances vary(705) 759-2467sherri@stjosephislandtriathlon.comstjosephislandtriathlon.com

Steve’s “Raider Stomp”Decatur 8:00 amDecatur High School10KR, 5KR/W(269) [email protected]

West Michigan I TRI 4FUN TriathlonFremont 4:00 pmFremont Lake Park200 Meter S / 9 MB/ 5KR(231) [email protected]/

westmichigantri/

West Michigan KidsTriathlonFremont 9:00 amFremont High Schooldistance varies with age(231) [email protected]/westmichigantri/

Wood Duck DashBrownstown 9:00 amLake Erie Metropark10KR, 5KR(734) [email protected]

Sunday, August 15

Battle of WaterlooWaterloo 7:30 amBig Portage Lake, WaterlooRecreation Area10 stage adventure tri:1.4MS/ 26.5MB/ 13.6MR(734) [email protected]

Island Lake of NoviTriathlon & Open WaterSwimNovi 8:00 am

50641 Drakes Baytri: .5MS/ 12MB/ 3MR or1.5MSFord Athletic Seim &Triathlonswimfasttrifast.com/islandlakeofnovi/

Mary Angela Run forAngels’ PlaceFarmington Hills9:00 amOakland CommunityCollege, Orchard RidgeCampus10KR, 5KR, 1MW, 1Mkids’ run(248) [email protected]

PetoskeyTriathlon &DuathlonPetoskey 8:00 amCity Park Across fromthe Fire Dept.1.5KS/ 40KB/ 5MR or500mS/ 20KB/5MR or2MR/ 20KB/ 5MRKenny Krell(231) [email protected]



Tahqua TrailRunParadise 8:00 amTahquamenon FallsState Park25KR, 10KR, 2KRJeff Crumbaugh(715) [email protected]

Tuesday, August 17

Riverside Park Co-EdRelayGrand Rapids 7:00 pmRiverside ParkX-C relay, 4 alternating.5mile lapsGrand Rapids RunningClub(616) [email protected]

Wed., August 18

T-Rex SprintTriathlonBrighton6:30 pmIsland LakeRecreation AreaTri: 1/2MS/ 5KR/20KBRunning Fit(734) [email protected]

Friday, August 20

Howell MelonRunHowell6:15 pm - 1 Mile FR7:00 pm - 10K & 5KHowell City Park10KR, 5KR, 1MFR,kids’ run, melon rollBeth Schrader(517) [email protected]

Q-Town 5KQuincy 7:00 pmQuincy High School5KR/W, 1MFR, 1/4MFRLoretta Tobolske-Horn(517) [email protected]/

Sat., August 21

Carl Olson MemorialAdventure RunChassell 9:00 amChassel Community Center10KR, 5KR/W, 2KR(906) [email protected]

Cat Tracks 5K TrailRun/WalkNiles 9:00 amBrandywine High School5KR/W(269) [email protected]

Churchill ClassicCheboygan 8:00 amWater Street10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR(231) [email protected]

Danish Festival RoadRaceGreenville 8:15 amBaldwin HeightsElementary School4MR, 2MR(616) [email protected]

Glen Lake Fun RunGlen Lake 11:00 amGlen Lake School1MFR/W(231) [email protected]

Grand Woods Trail 5KLansing 9:00 amGrand Woods Park onWillow Road5KR - trailChuck Block(517) [email protected]

Hastings SummerfestRun moved to August28Infiterra SportsSummer QuestShelby Twp. 10:00 amStony Creek Metro Park4-6 hour adventure race(231) [email protected]

International CannedBeer Month Can DoRoad and Trail RunKalamazoo 10:00 amBilbo’s Parking Lot,Stadium Drive4.8MR(269) [email protected]

Jacob’s RaceLaingsburg 8:30 amMcClintock Park5KR/W, kids run(517) [email protected]

Livonia Youth TriathlonLivonia 8:30 am (varies)Clements Circle ParkTri: distance varies with age(734) [email protected]

Mark Mellon Triathlon &DuathlonGaylord 8:00 amOtsego County Park1000mS/ 28MB/ 10KR or500mS/ 14MB/ 5KR or250mS/ 5MB/ 2MR(231) [email protected]

Mitchell’s Run ThroughRockford8:30 amDowntown Rockford5KR/W, kids run(616) [email protected]

Stony Creek RelayShelby Township 8:00 amStony creek Metropark -West Branch Picnic Area40 Mile Relay, 5 personteams, 2 legs eachHansons Running Shops(586) [email protected]

Strides for HealthAllegan 9:00 amAllegan General Hospital,555 Linn Street5KR/W, kids fun run(269) 673-5431, ext. [email protected]

Three Rivers Triathlon& DuathlonThree Rivers 8:00 amCorey LakeOlympic: 1.5KS/ 40KB/10KR; Sprint: 300mS/18KB/ 5KR; Du: 5KR/40KB/ 10KR(269) [email protected]

Sunday, August 22

Blue Water TriathlonPort Huron 7:45 amLakeside ParkSprint tri: 500mS/ 20KB/5KR(231) [email protected]

LudingtonLighthouseTriathlon &DuathlonLudington 8:00 am900 W. Ludingnton1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KRor 500meterS/ 20KB/5KR or 5KR,/ 20KB/5KRKenny Krell(810) [email protected]

Montrose BlueberryFestivalMontrose 8:00 amMontrose CarterElementary School8KR, 5 MR/WSuwienski (810) [email protected]

Runnin’ the RailsYpsilanti 8:00 amCorner Brewery, DepotTown10KR, 5KR/W(517) [email protected]

www.ypsilantijaycees.comformerly Great Train Race

Vietnam VeteransUnited Annual 5K RunAllen Park 9:00 amChampaign Park5KR, 1 MR/W(734) [email protected]

Wed., August 25

Road Racing at MetroBeachHarrison Twp 7:00 pmStony Creek Metro Park /Westbranch2MR(248) [email protected]

Saturday, August 28

The Arc Stroll, Roll & 5K RunMidland 9:00 amNorthwood University &Pere Marquette Rail Trail5KR/W(989) [email protected]/arcrun.php

Coldwater Mini -TriathlonColdwater 9:00 amColdwlater Lake Marniatri: 300ydS/ 6 MB/ 3 MR(517)[email protected]

Crim Festival ofRacesFlint 8:00 amFirst and SaginawStreets10 MR/W, 8KR/W,5KR/W, 1 MR/W,Teddy Bear TrotDeb Kiertzner(810) [email protected] Runner RaceSeries

Hastings SummerfestRun - date changedfrom 8/21/10Hastings 8:30 am


55

Hastings Middle School10KR, 5KR/WJamie VerStrate(269) [email protected]

Ithaca Fun Fest 5K -tentative dateIthaca 9:00 amCorner of Center St. andPine River St.5KR/W, kids run(989) [email protected]

Lawton Euro-Trail 5KChallengeLawton 8:30 amLawton HS5KR(269) [email protected]

North Country TrailRunManistee 7:30 amBig M Trails, ManisteeNational Forest50MR, 26.2MR, 13.1 MR(616) 430-2496

[email protected]

Physically StrongTriathlonKalamazoo 9:00 amRota-Kiwan Reservation400ydS/ 6.5MR/ 3.1MRor 100ydS/ 1.2MB/ .3MR(269) 3443-4687rd@physicallystrongtriathlon.orgphysicallystrong-triathlon.org

Run for the RollsChelsea 12:30 pm20700 Old US 121MR/W(734) [email protected] rolls.com

Sandhill CraneTrail 1/2Marathon &10KVandalia 9:00 amDr. T.K. Lawless Park13.1MR, 10KR(574) 215-4779rongunn3@

verizon.netcairnstoneadventure-tours.com

SomersetStampedeSomerset Center7:30 amSomerset Beach13.1MR, 5KR/WDave Parham(517) [email protected]

Summer’s End TrailRunSaginaw 9:00 amImerman Memorial Park5KR, 1.5M kids’ run,1.5MW(989) [email protected]

Sunday, August 29

Breakwater Triathlon70.3Petoskey 7:00 amtri: 1.2MS/ 56MB, 13.1MR

or .6MS / 28MB/ 6.2MRJim Jackson(734) [email protected]

Girls BestFriendTriathlonVicksburg 8:00 amPrairie View CountryPark1000mS/ 40KB/ 10KRor 500mS/ 20KB/5KR or 2MR/ 20KB/5KR3 Disciplines(231) [email protected]

Hansons 16 MileMarathon Training RunLake Orion 8:00 amHansons Running Shop, 3South Broadway4-16 MR(248) [email protected]

No PR 10KBrighton 8:00 am

Brighton Recreation Area,Bishop Lake [email protected]/races.html

Tuesday, August 31

Johnson Park CrossCountry 5KGrandville 7:00 pmJohnson Park CrossCountry 5KR(616) [email protected](517) [email protected]/foundation/runwalk/

- MR -


56

By Tom Henderson

“Born to Run” — great album by theBoss, pretty good but irritatingbook by Christopher McDougall.

The book tells the tale of Mexico’s TarahumaraIndians, long-distance runners who make theKenyans look like idlers.

Running on sandals made from rubbersliced from tires and on a diet consistingmainly of corn and corn beer, which theydrink in copious quantities, they routinely

race up and down the mountains and switch-backs of Copper Canyon, 50- and 60-year-olds running 60, 80 or 100 miles at a time,seemingly without effort and injury free.

In 1993, a couple of Tarahumarasshocked the ultramarathoning world bydestroying the Leadville 100 field: VictorianoChurro winning despite being 55, andCerrildo Chacarito, a 40-something goatfarmer, finishing second.

The tale of the Tarahumara is fascinating.Too bad McDougall couldn’t just more or lesstell it. But he can’t resist the unnecessary embell-ishments along the way, intended for the non-running audience, though hard to imagine non-runners are going to buy a book about long-dis-tance-running Mexican Indians.

For example, the Tarahumara rarely getinjured. Unusual? Sure. But McDougallwrites: “The real mutants are the runnerswho don’t get injured. Up to eight out ofevery 10 runners are hurt every year.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re heavy or thin,speedy or slow, a marathon champ or aweekend huffer; you’re just as likely as the

other guy to savage your knees, shins, ham-strings, hips or heels,” he continues.

“Next time you line up for a TurkeyTrot, look at the runners on your right andleft: statistically, only one of you will be backfor the Jingle Bell Jog.”

Only one of three runners running a raceon Thanksgiving will be healthy enough torun a holiday race in December? Give me abreak. I’ve run a lot of Turkey Trots, and thesame faces to my left and right usually runthe Jingle Bell Jog too.

And then McDougall has to tell the read-er how tough running is in addition to howdangerous. “Lance Armstrong is one of thegreatest endurance athletes of all time, and hecould barely shuffle through his firstmarathon, despite sucking down an energygel nearly every mile.”

Dude, Armstrong broke three hours inhis first marathon. Breaking seven hours isbarely shuffling. Running 6:50 pace for 26.2miles is running. Running well. Runningstrongly. I’ve run 40 marathons and only bro-ken three hours once, and the day I did, trustme, there was no shuffling involved.

~~

Iwrote about Nate Skid, my young col-league at Crain’s Detroit Business, lastsummer. He was fresh off the cancer

sticks, brand new to running and I talkedhim into coming out for the Motor CityStriders’ mid-week one-mile and three-mileruns in June. He had a blast and washooked.

We still laugh when we recall his reactionwhen he saw a big number “1” along theside of the road during the three-miler. “Does(gasp) that (gasp) mean (gasp) we (gasp) only(gasp) have (gasp) one (gasp) mile (gasp) to(gasp) go?”

“No, it means we have two miles to go.”

Nate briefly contemplated suicide, thencontinued, finishing under 24 minutes andway under his goal of nine-minute pace.

We ran six races together last summer.He won three and I won three. He won thelast one of the season, the Tara GrantMemorial 5K trail run at Stony CreekMetropark, but I had the best win, whichinvolved watching him puke on his shoes atthe finish line of the Harvest Stompede 7-miler in the Leelanau Peninsula in September.

Notes on the Run: DogsRunning with Tom HendersonPho

toby

CarterShe

rline

/Frog

Prin

ceStudios


This fall he’s doing his first marathon, inSan Antonio in September, and he asked meto recommend a spring half marathon andput together a training schedule to get himready for 13.1.

I told him there was no better half any-where than the Potawatomi Trail Run in thePinckney State Recreation area the lastSunday in April. I used to do it every year buthaven’t run it in a while, so it was an excuseto ramp up my running, too, and we’d do ittogether.

Getting super-organized, for me, I got onthe Running Fit Web site on April Fool’s Dayand saw what I could only hope was an AprilFool’s joke. It wasn’t. In red letters atop theinformation page for the event were the uglywords: “The Trail Marathon and HalfMarathon is SOLD OUT!”

Dang! Nate is going to kill me. I had noidea it got so popular. And here I’ve been rav-ing to him through our winter runs aboutwhat a great way the half is to seriously startthe season. Seriously crazy tough. Killer hills.Roots, rocks and tumbles. And more fun thatanyone deserves.

Uh, time for plan B, if I can work up thenerve to tell him.

The same weekend, there are a coupleraces up north to choose from. I’ll invite himand his girlfriend, Lang, up to my old school-house in the woods. Can’t compare with thePot, but as plan B’s go, pretty good.

~~

Speaking of which, last year, the TroutFestival 5K in Kalkaska, a long-standingevent, and the Run for Shelter 5K in

Traverse City, a newbie, were held on consec-utive weekends. One is flat and fast, the othera collection of steep hills about where theLeelanau Peninsula begins.

The Run for Shelter advertised it was dogfriendly, which made it a must-do for me andthe Mad Dog, also known as Maddie, myblack lab mix. There were about 40 dogsthere, and despite her size, she was easily thefirst four-legged beast.

At the finish line, a guy came over to me.His wife was still out on the course with theirdog. “I’m glad to see your dog made it OK,”he said. “Hey, she’s pretty fast. I saw that fatdog at the starting line and was hoping shewasn’t going to die of a heart attack.”

Fat dog? She’s a lab. She has a widebeam. Wide hips. Big bones that help herfloat. When she’s in the water, about half of

her sticks up in the air. Means she can swimall day.

But she runs races nearly every weekend.Runs twice a day most days, maybe sevenmiles on average, walks two miles eachmorning and two miles late each night, andhas much more easily than me done my 18-and 20-milers with me. She’s solid, ripplingmuscle, with very little fat.

Which made it even more irksome when,at the finish line of the Elk Rapids HarborDays 5K two years ago, as I fed her a pieceof my cookie after we’d finished in about 23minutes on a steamy, sunny day, a guy cameup and said out loud, not to me, but for mybenefit, obviously:

“And people wonder why their dogs areobese.”

This was a dork who’d finished a minuteafter us. To this day, I’m chagrined I didn’thave a snappy put-down to hurl back hisway. Instead, we shared another cookie.

Looking for a fun, flat race in a touristtown during a festival week? Consider ElkRapids in August. They have a 10K, too.Bring your fat dog if you have one and pissthis guy off. MR


58

Michigan Athletes from Five Universities Compete atIndoor Nationals and Kermit Ambrose Takes a Bow

Kermit Ambrose, age 99,tips his hat when the sta-dium announcer recog-nized his having attendedevery NCAA D1 IndoorT&F meet.

Kyron Foster, MichiganState, placed 6th in thetriple jump, 16.21m.

Eastern Michigan’s Ackeem Forde hands off to BlakeFiggins enroute to a 5th place finish (9:38.44) in thedistance medley relay.

Eastern Michigan’s DMR team of Ackeem Forde,David Brent, Blake Figgins and Curtis Vollmar wonAll-American honors.

Irene Cooper, WesternMichigan, won 3rd place inthe weight throw, 21.10

Erika Schroll, Central Michigan, placed 12th in thehigh jump, 1.78m

Rebecca Addison &Michigan’s dmr team ofJillian Smith, ShanaVinson & Danielle Tauroplaced 10th, 11:19.33

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, Fayetteville, Arkansas, March 12-13, 2010


michigan runner, may / june 2010

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