michigan runner, november / december 2014

Fall Shoe Review

Wednesday, December 31, 20143:30 pm, Belle Isle Casino, Belle Isle Park

Events3:30 pm -Children’s 1 Mile Fun Run3:30 pm -Open 1 Mile Fun Run4:00 pm - 5K Run - USAT&F Certified Course4:00 pm - Race Walk / Fitness WalkEarly Registration and Packet Pick-up• Saturday, Dec. 27 , 12 Noon - 3:00 pmRace Day Registration and Packet Pick-up• Wednesday, Dec. 31 , 12 Noon - 3:30 pm

Start, Finish, Refreshments• Belle Isle Casino

Free Parking• Belle Isle Park (except on designated race course)

Race Entry and Online Registration:http://www.belleislefunrun.com

Race Entry Includes• Long-sleeve shirt• All children 12 & under receive a trophy• All registered Boy & Girl Scouts receive Fun Patches

• Food & beverage• Register early to guarantee your long-sleeved shirt• First 1000 entrants receive commemorative awards

• NYE Toast and Festivities• B-Tag timing by Everal Race Management• 5K results will be posted: http://everalracemgt.com

Children (12 and under)Race Entry $15

All Others (13 and older)Register before Dec. 22 $30Register after Dec. 22 $35

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45th Annual

Belle Isle New Year’s Eve Family Fun Runthe longest continuously-held running event in Michigan

About the cover:

Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Open, HudsonMills Metropark, August 29 from left: TaylorManett-bib 7, Erin Finn-bib 2, Taylor Pogue-bib 17,Brook Handler-bib 4, Anna Pasternak-bib 14, Shan-non Osika-bib 13, Jamie Morrissey-bib 11.Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Michigan State Spartans at Auto Owners Spartan In-vitational, Forest Akers East Golf Course, Septem-ber 12, from left: Jaclyn Magness-bib 208, LindsayClark-bib 201, Aubrey Wilberding-bib 218, SaraKroll-bib 206, Rachele Schulist-bib 214, Leah O'-Connor-bib 210.Photo by Pete Draugalis /draugalisphotography.com

In This IssueNovember / December 2014 Vol. 36, No. 5

Event Calendar 32 November / December 2014 EventsFeatures and Departments

Online: Photo GalleryInside November / December 2014 online issue:

http://issuu.commichiganrunner/docs/mr1114

Photography by Carter Sherline, PeteDraugalis, Greg Sadler& Victah Sailer

Online: MichiganRunning News

Weekly email newsletterTo join: [email protected]

6 Editor’s Notes: Beat By Scott Sullivan 8 Publisher’s Note: New Documentary Explores Gunn’s Storied Life, Career By Art McCafferty 10 Wolverines Chase Dream, Spartans in Hot Pursuit By Charles Douglas McEwen 11 The Definition of a Runner By Heather Hanks 13 2014 Fall Shoe Review By Cregg Weinmann 21 Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard 24 Beyond the Chip: Down Time By Laurel Park 25 One-Time Races By Dean Johnson 28 Real Runners Run Marathons By Dave Foley 31 Ann Arbor Running Co. Open for Business By Tracey Cohen 36 Running with Tom Henderson

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• Albion 5K• Baker’s Dozen Beer Run• Capital City River Run• Crim Festival of Races• Dan Jilek Memorial 5K• European T & F Championships• Go Lab 5K• Howell Melon Run• Milford Labor Day 30K• Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half• Raising Hopes & Foster Dreams• Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo• Spartan Invitational

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Michigan Runner - November / December 2014 | michiganrunner.tv

At the Races

Online: Video through Fall

• 50 Years Of SMC & 40 Years ofSteve's Run -With Fred Mathews,David Briegel & Ron Gunn - a GLSPDocumentary

• Ann Arbor Running Company• Bank of America Chicago Marathon• Crim Race Starts/ Bobby Crim Statue• Dan Jilek Memorial 5K Run• Detroit Free Press Marathon• Farmington Run for the Hills• Helen DeVos Children’s Marathon• John Rogucki Memorial KensingtonChallenge

• Kevin Sullivan, Michigan XC Coach• Kona Chocolate Run

ª Kona Wicked Halloween Run• Milford Labor Day 30K• Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon

• Mighty Mac Bridge Run• MHSAA LP Cross Country Finals• New York City Marathon• Playmakers Spartan Invitational• Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo• Sandhill Crane All Trail HalfMarathon

• Sault International Marathon• St. Mary Mercy Embrace Life 5K• The Brooksie Way Half Marathon• Zero Cancer Challenge 5K

http://michiganrunner.tvhttp://youtube.com (search “glsp”)http://runningnetwork.com

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Michigan Runner © is published six times yearly for $17.00 per year by GreatLakes Sports Publications, Inc., 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.Third Class Postage paid at Dearborn, MI and additional mailing offices. Post-master: Send Address changes to Michigan Runner,4007 Carpenter Rd., #366,Ypsilanti, MI 48197. All contents of this publication are copyrighted all rightsreserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphiccontent in any manner is prohibited. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs,and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressedenvelope, bearing sufficient postage; publisher assumes no responsibility for re-turn of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions of the writers are their ownand do not necessarily reflect endorsement and/or views of the Michigan Runner.Address all editorial correspondence, subscriptions, and race information to:Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, (734) 507-0241, FAX (734) 434-4765, [email protected], www.glsp.com. Subscription rates:Continental U.S. $17.00 per year: Payable in U.S. funds. Single issue $3.00, backissues $5.00. Change of address: Send your magazine label and your new addressto Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

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Robin Sarris HallopRachael Steil

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William KalmarDr. Edward H. Kozloff

Doug KurtisGrant LofdahlRon Marinucci

Riley McLinchaCharles D. McEwenGary MorganJim Neff

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michiganrunner.net | Michigan Runner - November / December 2014

8 Crusader 5K, Madonna Mile By Laurel Park 12 Crim Festival of Races By C. D. McEwen 22 Park2Park By Scott Sullivan 22 Gilda’s Family 5K By C. D. McEwen 23 Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo By C. D. McEwen 25 Melon Run By Kacey Tulley 26 The Brooksie Way By C. D. McEwen 26 Bruckelaufe Half Marathon & 5K By Tracey Cohen 27 Kensington Challenge By C. D. McEwen 28 Last Chance BQ Marathon By Michael Zuidema 29 Mt. Baldhead Challenge By Scott Sullivan 30 T-Rex Tri By Charles Douglas McEwen 30 Running Between the Vines By Tracey Cohen 31 Tri to Finish Off-Road Triathlon By Charles Douglas McEwen 38 Run for the Hills By Charles Douglas McEwen

Among the more-merciful four-let-ter words I’ve

been called is “beat.” I as-sume name-callers mean“beatific,” as writer JackKerouac did when hecoined the term “beat gen-eration,” or to say I coverthe Michigan running beatfor this magazine.

But recent news about football stars beating theirgirlfriends, kids and raps makes me wonder.

To win you must beat someone, right? Beats los-ing. If folks mean I’m beat up or down, their regardmay be less — and more realistic. I used to celebratewhen I reached age limits and ran races. Now I can’teven beat an egg.

My late father — who beat himself up with highexpectations — said, “Never start fights. If someoneelse does, make sure you finish.” That’s why sportswere a perfect outlet.

Who cares who wins games or races? Competingmotivates you to get faster, stronger, smarter, more-skilled … whatever succeeding calls for. Our bestfriends are our fiercest rivals; they push us most to getbetter.

I used to like training with runners nearest me inability — if better, better. After races we would con-gratulate and commiserate with each other, share

laughs and lies and replace lost fluids with, perhaps, abeverage. Then we’d strive to whip each other’s buttsthe next time.

The rhythm of race cycles, like a musical beat,propelled us. Our hearts beat but were not beaten.Who is hurt when you beat a drum or path? When asailboat beats to windward?

The problem comes when winners turn into los-ers by disrespecting or causing harm to the “other”party.

I get it where, in war, you strike at your enemy’sability to strike you — ideally so hard he cannot re-build it. You may target his spirit too.

Life is a longer-term proposition. The worm andworld turns. Beaten children grow up, girlfriends takeyou to court — or, in football star Ray Rice’s case, de-fend him, then see the tape of his beat-down causesuch revulsion he ceases to be your multi-million-dol-lar meal ticket.

“There is no instance of a nation benefiting fromprolonged warfare,” said Sun Tzu in his definitivebook on the subject, “The Art of War.”

Why talk smack or rub salt in your rival’s woundswhile he or she devotes time and energy towards re-gathering? S/he’ll remember the next time you play orcompete. Forgive, don’t forget. Move on.

The greatest strength, said Sun Tzu, lies not inbrute force but knowledge. “If you know the enemyand yourself,” he wrote, “you need not fear the resultof a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not theenemy, for every victory you will also suffer defeat. Ifyou know neither the enemy nor yourself, you willlose every battle …

“To know your enemy, you must become yourenemy,” he went on. “Know yourself and you’ll win allbattles. Appear weak when you’re strong and strongwhen you’re weak,” he said.

If it appears I can run no longer, it’s not deceiv-ing. Sometimes, when walking in a hurry, I break intoa limping trot that at first feels as beautiful — thewind on my skin, heart pumping, lungs sucking oxy-gen, like old days — as it looks ugly and ends with myright foot and ankle throbbing.

Find grace in this awkwardness, I tell myself,slowing quickly. Enjoy your time in the sun and, afterit sets, the moon.

Know your self and enemy; they’re the same.

- MR -

6 Michigan Runner - November / December 2014 | michiganrunner.tv

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Editor’s Notes

BeatBy Scott Sullivan

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Michigan Runner - November / December 2014 | michiganrunner.tv8

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Ron Gunn came to our attention when hewas named the first Michigan Runner ofthe Year in 1979. We were a nascent publi-

cation trying to establish readership, and felt nam-ing a Runner of the Year would be a naturalpromotion. The awards have been of great value toMR and many outstanding runners have blessedour covers.

We could not havedone much better withour first selection, asGunn became an iconserving SouthwesternMichigan College as aneducator, coach and com-munity activist. As if thatwere not enough, he es-tablished a number oftravel companies, startingwith Roadrunner Tourswith his lifelong friend,Hal Higdon. That firmmorphed into the present-day Carinstone AdventureTours.

Gunn’s coaching cre-dentials are impressive. Hecreated the SMC trackand field program, whichproduced many nationaltitles and All-Americans.His junior college athletes were so skilled and pol-ished they were invited to meets by Big Ten schoolsand independents such as Notre Dame.

He established the “The Original Road and TrailsRun” in Dowagiac, now a storied Michigan andMidwest event, 40 years ago. At one time he had tocap entries at 2,500 runners, as the trails could notaccommodate any more. It was a benchmark expe-rience in the running careers of many.

The race was later renamed Steve’s Run afterSteve Briegel, the son of SMC’s fifth presidentDave Briegel and his wife Camilla. Steve developedcancer in his late teens and lost his battle a fewyears later. Gunn was so moved by the young man’scourage in facing the ravages of cancer he changedthe event’s name to Steve’s Run.

Fred Mathews, the first SMC president andlongest-serving regent in America at 50 years, hasjust published a book about the college. It includesa major chapter about Gunn’s role in not onlyshaping an athletic powerhouse, but as a commu-nity health and wellness guru after the school can-celed its intercollegiate athletic program. The

decision was a tough call, Mathews said, made as acost saver for the school and because the programdid not include many local students.

Gunn was directed to create a health and well-ness program for the students at SMC. His curricu-lum feature a popular intramural program andrevised physical education curriculum that featured

classes in whitewater raft-ing, rock climbing andhikes in the GrandCanyon. It became sopopular enrollmentamong community mem-bers soared. Gunn’sMarathon 101 classes weremust-attends for studentsand residents of area.Many completed theirfinal exams by runningmarathons in Hawaii,Bermuda, Chicago andother places.

Gunn retired fromSMC a few years ago andothers have taken over thereins of Steve’s Run. Buthis Carinstone AdventureTours keep him more thanbusy. He has taken hikinggroups to places through-out Michigan, the Grand

Canyon, California, Utah, Spain and Scotland.Michigan Runner accompanied him on his Cali-fornia and Yosemite tour last year, and it was sensa-tional.

The thought of developing a documentaryabout Gunn’s contributions to his college, commu-nity and devotees from around the United Statescame as we ended our video coverage at Steve’sRun. We had followed the event for more than 10years and created over 40 shows highlighting sto-ries that occurred there.

While our documentary ends at SouthwesternMichigan College, our coverage of another RonGunn running adventure, the Sandhill Crane All-Trail Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, will begin thismonth. This time our cameras will record the ac-tion on the trails as well as from above with ournew Drone Ranger.

To view the documentary, visit http://michi-ganrunner.tv/2014rongunn orhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=kZFt3JmDWjU.

- MR -

New Documentary Explores Gunn’s Storied Life, Career

By Art McCafferty

Publisher’s Note

LIVONIA (9/27/14) Bright, sunny skies and warmtemperatures greeted participants in the Crusader5K and Madonna Mile on the picturesque campusof Madonna University. Proceeds from the event, or-ganized by school’s student life office, benefited thestudent emergency fund, which helps students fac-ing non-academic financial hardships.

The course consists of two loops around theMadonna campus and through the grounds of theFelician Sisters Motherhouse and Chapel. “The av-enue of trees that runners enjoy twice would notlook out of place in rural France,” said school educ-tion professor and participant Stewart Wood. “Thecourse is flat and fast and presents racers with agolden opportunity for a season’s PR.”

Laurel Park, 51, was the overall winner, clocking18:57. She used the race as a low-key speed workout. “Ihad company for the first mile or so, then I was on myown,” said the winner. “I just kept pushing.

“I’m not happy with my time, especially on afast course like this, but I felt good,” she continued.“These last two years have been rough with inflam-mation in my upper hamstrings, but it feels likethings are finally starting to settle down.”

Second place went to Chris Carbury, 23, in 22:37.

Many participants enjoyed the race with familyand friends. Chris Strychalski was accompanied by hisdaughter, Addie, 3, in a baby jogger. “We both had ablast,” he said. “I enjoyed running with friends and col-leagues and seeing parts of campus I hadn’t seen before.Addie loved going under the balloon arch at the startand then running through the finish chute (multipletimes) to the cheers of the Madonna students. It wasvery family friendly and a lot of fun.”

“The spirit of the volunteers along the course —many of whom are Madonna staff, faculty, administra-tors and alums — makes this a memorable race,” saidassociate dean for student affairs Chris Benson.

“This was the first 5K I’ve participated in whereeveryone cheered my name when I neared the finishline,” said student Lisa Hursin. “The atmospherewas good and relaxed. I did not feel pressured to runmy fastest, but rather to take in the environmentand run with a new perspective.”

Organizers hope to see the race grow whilemaintaining its family-like atmosphere.

“Given the beautiful course, the excellent or-ganization and the reasonable entry fee, I suspect itwill gain in popularity. We just need to get the wordout,” Park said. - MR -

Crusader 5K, Livonia

Crusader 5K,Madonna Mile Offer

Scenic ToursBy Laurel Park

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Is this the year?

The Universityof Michigan women’scross country team fin-ished fifth at the 2012NCAA Division 1championships. Lastyear the Wolverinesmoved up to fourth.TheSept. 30 USTF CrossCountry Coaches Asso-ciation poll ranked thisyear’s squad No. 1 in thenation.

Can a U-Mwomen’s national title beat hand? Not if No. 2-ranked Michigan Statehas a say in the finalrankings.

MSU has won theBig Ten women’s crosschampionship threetimes in the last fouryears. The Spartans fin-ished sixth, just twoplaces behind U-M, atthe NCAA finals lastyear.

But the Wolverines have impressive momentumon their side.

U-M teams have been strong for years,with nine Big Ten titles to their credit. They’ve wonnine Great Lakes regionals, including ones each ofthe last three years. Wolverine Katie McGregor wasthe 1998 NCAA individual champion. A bevy ofU-M women have been All Americans.

Mike McGuire has been named Big Ten Coachof the Year seven times in 23 seasons at the Wolver-ines’ helm. Almost all his top runners from last yearreturn this year.

Former state high school standouts Erin Finnand Shannon Osika lead the U-M’s top-rankedteam.

Finn, from West Bloomfield, was MichiganRunner magazine’s 2012 Michigan High SchoolRunner of the Year. She won the Big Ten individualtitle last year, finished second at the Great Lakes re-gional and 30th at nationals. As a freshman she wasnamed All American and the league’s female crosscountry athlete of the year.

A few days after her cross season ended, Finnwon the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade Turkey Trot5K, which boasted more than 11,000 runners, in

17:56. In 2012 Osika, U-M’s other wunderkind, ran17:04 in the race, a split second behind women’swinner Sarah Boyle, an ex-Spartan. Argh!

Osika, whose mother Andrea ran in the U.S.Olympic Trials, came to U-M from WaterfordMott High School. After earning freshman of theyear honors in 2012, she finished 11th at the BigTen championships, sixth in the Great Lakes re-gional and 56th at the NCAA finals last season as asophomore.

Osika has won the Michigan Open, the univer-sity’s season opener, three straight years. In this year’srace Aug. 29 at Hudson Mills Metropark, she andFinn crossed the finish line together in 17:01.

The Wolverines’ roster brims with depth andexperience behind them, including senior quad-cap-tains Brook Handler of Rochester Hills, MeganWeschler of Wyandotte, Taylor Pogue of Goodrichand Alexandra Leptich of Ann Arbor. Junior TaylorManett of Rockford is another standout.

At the Big Ten Preview 6K Sept. 20 in IowaCity, Michigan’s women finished 1-2-3-4-6 for 16team points, overwhelming Wisconsin (70), North-western (87), Kansas State (101) and Iowa (113).Finn led in 20:06, followed by Osika (20:16), Han-dler (21:20), Pogue (21:22) and Weschler (21:33).

In the 18-team Coastto Coast Battle in theBeantown 5K Sept. 26in Boston, the Wolver-ines dominated, scoring55 points. Next cameGeorgetown (77) andSyracuse (134). BostonCollege’s Liv Westphalwon in 16:30, with Finn(16:51) andOsika (17:03) 2-3 be-hind her.Handler snagged eighthplace (17:14) and Wech-sler 15th (17:25).

Michigan’s greatestrival lies 60 milesnorthwest. State toppedU-M for last year’s con-ference title led by jun-ior Leah O’Connor ofCroswell, who took sec-ond behind Finn. Classmates KatieLandwehr of Tipp City,Ohio, and LindsayClark of West Bloom-field finished fifth andninth.

Add to those three re-turnees sophomoreRachele Schulist of

Grand Rapids, who finished eighth at the GreatLakes Regional as freshman.

MSU won the Bill Dellinger Invitational Sept.5, the Spartan Invitational Sept. 12 and Roy GriakInvitational Sept. 27. Schulist led the team in two ofthose races.

At the Dellinger 6K, Schulist smoked the field,timing 19:38; O’Connor placed second in 19:53. Atthe Spartan 6K, O’Connor and Schulist finished 1-2in 21:03 and 21:05, respectively. At the 35-teamGriak, Schulist snatched fifth overall in 20:50 andO’Connor ninth in 21:30.

Clark finished third for the Spartans in all threeinvitationals and serves as a steady presence. Watchalso for senior Sarah Kroll of Westland, who ranaway with the 2012 Big Ten individual title, then satout last year as a redshirt. She is back for her finalyear in good form.

Look for a showdown at the Big Ten champi-onships in Iowa City Nov. 2. The Great Lakes re-gional will be Nov. 14 in Madison, Wisc., followedby NCAA championships in Terre Haute, Ind., Nov.22.

- MR -

Wolverines Chase Dream, Spartans in Hot Pursuit By Charles Douglas McEwen

Wolverine’s Erin Finn, bib 2, finishedsecond and Shannon Osika, bib 13, fin-ished first at the Michigan Open, Au-gust 29.

Spartans Leah O’Connor, bib 210, andRachele Schulist, bib 214, placed firstand second at the Auto-Owners Spar-tan Invitational, September 12

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11michiganrunner.net | Michigan Runner - November / December 2014

“We’re all told at some point in time that we can nolonger play the children’s game; we just don’t know

when that’s gonna be. Some of us are told at 18, someof us are told at 40, but we’re all told.” – quote from

“Moneyball” (2011)

Iwas 22 the first time I was told I would neverrun again. It turns out that’s the second worstthing a young runner can hear, The first being,

“We’re going to surgically remove the infected partsof your intestine.”

Freshly diagnosed with an autoimmune disease,my initial flare landed me in Providence Hospital forseven days, hooked up to an IV full of steroids, un-able to eat or drink. Luckily, surgery wasn’t neededas I began to respond to medication.

Later, while in his office for my follow-up ap-pointment, my doctor asked about my lifestyle inhopes of assigning a trigger. To my knowledge, I washealthy. Better yet, I was a runner. I had even runthe Detroit Half Marathon the day before being ad-mitted into the hospital. Long silence. His eyes metmine and I knew.

Being young is like being a cat. I believe youhave nine lives to kill before you’re really dead. Butmost people stretch those precious second chancesout over the course of their lifetime before taking ahealth scare seriously.

Not runners. We take bad news and bury it deepinside, using it as motivation to make a comeback. Notbecause we don’t take doctors seriously, but because thedesire to run is too strong. And even if we have to do iton one leg, limping, with an IV drip pumping into ourveins, we find a way to run again.

So that’s what I did. For the next few years I suc-cessfully held on to my precious title as a runner. But itwas hard work. I couldn’t eat like other runners. In fact,I couldn’t eat or drink at all while running. I couldn’trun at night. Every run was a struggle to perfectly timemy meals and bathroom breaks. I needed at least 10hours of sleep at night to recover. Naturally, I cashed inlate night socializing for early morning long runs so myonly friends were other runners. I even married myrunning partner. I was all in.

Until around age 28, when I found out I waspregnant. Running was the first thing to go. It was theweek after the Hamilton Marathon and I couldn’tmake it three miles around my neighborhood. Run-ning turned into walking, then ceased altogether.

There were days I couldn’t get out of bed. Mydoctor, who had been my running cheerleader,warned it would either get better or much worse.We prayed for the former.

It’s been two years since the HamiltonMarathon and unfortunately, my prayers were notanswered. This time I didn’t need to hear it from my

doctor. My body wasscreaming at me througha loudspeaker. I hadtraded in running formy beautiful baby girl.That’s the thing aboutbeing a cat. When yourlives are up, they’re gone.

Had I listened thefirst time, maybe I’d stillhave my running.Maybe if I hadn’t pushedmy fragile health overthe edge I wouldn’t needto be medicated for theforeseeable future. Orhave to wear a diaperwhen I go out in public.But playing the what-ifgame will do nothing foryou. Hard times are atest of faith. True, I was-n’t a runner anymore,but that did not makeme useless.

There’s nothingwrong with accepting

defeat when you were never meant to play the handvery long. Instead of beating myself up, I learned todo the next thing.

My happiness returned when I stopped holdingon to all the impossible standards I held myself toand concentrated on all the things I was still goodat. In place of running, I played with my daughterand spent more time with my husband. I read booksand visited family. Eventually, I became a better per-son. I was more relaxed and had finally acceptedmyself for what I was. I liked myself again, diseasedbody and all.

From there, the possibilities were endless. I was-n’t broken; I was free to find my true calling. Afteryears of pummeling my body, I needed to use mybrain. So I decided to go back to school and studyabout my disease. My hope is that one day I’ll be apart of someone else’s healing process, or at the veryleast, encourage them to find their new identity.

Maybe you won’t ever be told. Maybe you weretold long ago and didn’t listen. Whatever the case is,I don’t believe that when one door closes, anotheropens. You have to go find it. And it doesn’t requireanything more than a runner’s heart and determina-tion. Running doesn’t define you. Whether or notyou are able to run, as long as you don’t give up onyourself, you are the definition of a runner.

Heather Hanks is a contributor to Michigan Runnerand suffers from Crohn’s Disease.

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The Definition of a RunnerBy Heather Hanks

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Heather DycHanks, 2nd, 2011 Martian HalfMarathon


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FLINT (8/23/14) — Find it hard to keep up with theKardashians? Try keeping up with the Kenyans. JuliusKogo won his fifth straight 10-miler at the 38th annualHealthPlus Crim Festival of races, while Aliphine Tulia-muk-Bolton made it two straight for the women.

Kogo, 29, is originally from the Nairobi area(population 3.3 million) and now trains in ChapelHill, N.C. Tuliamuk-Bolton, 25, comes from the re-mote town of Kapenguria (population 13,000) hun-dreds of miles north of Nairobi.

“Last year I was fresh from college (WichitaState University),” Tuliamuk-Bolton recalled. “Thisyear I am more experienced (with road racing).

Both winners attacked the course aggressivelyand led comfortably at the finish.

Kogo’s 46:35 didn’t quite match his 45:55 timelast year, but was his second fastest Crim. His maincompetition came from his training partner and fel-low Kenyan Cleophas Ngetich, 24, who hung on hisheels for much of the race and timed 46:55. “Mycolleague pushed me hard,” Kogo said.

Moroccans Hafid Chani, 28, snagged thirdplace (47:30) and Mourad Marofit, 32, fourth (48:00).Yonas Mebrahta, 26, of Eritrea was fifth (48:19).

Tuliamuk-Bolton used a wrecking ball onher 54:28 time last year, crossing in 52:48.

“I took the lead right away,” she said. “My planwas to win and run a good time. I was hoping torun faster. My legs were tired, but my body feltgreat. The last quarter mile, I was hurting. I kepthoping someone was not closing in on me.”

Next came Kenyans Cynthia Cherotich Limo,24 (53:15), Sophy Jepchirchir, 20 (53:39) and Lil-lian Mariita, 26 (54:45). Rachel Hannah, 27, ofToronto placed fifth in 55:00.

Nathan Martin, 23, of Spring Arbor paced theMichigan finishers for the second year in row(49:02), while Sarah Boyle, 28, of Brighton led thewomen in 55:29. Esteban Venegas, 44, of Alma(54:44) and Tammy Nowik, 40, of Clarkston(1:02:07) were the top state state masters.

“My PR was 1:04:36,” said Nowik. “So I washappy with 1:02, especially with the humidity. Iwent out smart, not too fast. That gave me morespeed in the last five miles.”

Defending state women’s masters champ LisaVeneziano, 49, of Fenton, placed second in1:03:20. “I was in front of (Nowik) until about amile and a half, when she passed me,” saidVeneziano. “I stayed pretty close until fivemiles. Then the Bradley Hills got me. I felt everyone of them.”

Teenagers contin-ued to dominate the 8K.Addie May, 18, won forthe second straight year,after joining her Flush-ing teammates JessieLindstrom, 15,and Paige Deitering, 14,winning the HighSchool Challenge in theMichigan Mile Race Se-ries she nightbefore. Her 32:27 wasmore than three minutesfaster than the next twowomen’s 8K finishers,Kristen Balasia, 38, ofTroy (36:09) and MaryWiesen, 33, of GrandBlanc (36:44).

Men’s 8K winnerCarson Truesdell, 19, ofGrand Blanc

(26:59) fought off Lawrence Tech University run-ners Graham Elliot, 20, of Linden (27:15) and Tan-ner Flint, 18, of Corinth, N.Y. (27:48).

Truesdell claimed the lead on the thirdmile. “He broke away from me there,” Flintsaid. “Then Graham passed me and went after him.”

“I was going as hard as I could and felt like I was reel-ing him in,” said Elliot. “But his lead was too big.”

Andrew Palumbo, 25, of Raleigh, N.C.(17:56) held off defending champ Ed Labair, 54, ofUnionville (18:05) in the 5K. Clarkston

teens Nicole Hanson, 16 (19:00) and Lynsie Gram,17 (19:38) paced the women.

The Crim races drew more than 14,000 en-trants. “We have a fantastic team of staff and volun-teers who make this happen every year,” said racedirector Andy Younger. “We listen to the feedbackpeople give us to try and figure what we can do tomake this a great experience.”

For complete race results, go to www.crim.org.

- MR -

Crim Festival of Races, Flint

Deja Vu All Over for Kogo at CrimBy Charles Douglas McEwen

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Winner for the fifth straight year, Julius Kogo (left) leads run-ner-up Cleophas Ngetich during the Crim 10 Mile.

Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton bettered herwinning 10 Mile time from last yearby 1:40.

Greg Meyer greets Dathan Ritzenheinbefore the Crim 10 Mile race. Ritzenheinfinished in 49:11.

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In This IssueNovember / December 2014 Vol. 36, No. 5

Online: Photo Gallery

About the cover: Amanda Wolski of Dearborn won the Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 10K in 42:22.Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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4 Melon Run, Howell Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 5 European Athletics Championships, Zurich Photos by Victah Sailer / photorun.net 6 Crim Festival of Races, Flint Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 8 Labor Day 30K, Milford Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 9 Golab 5K Labor Day Run, Hamtramck Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 9 Albion 5K Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 10 Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational, East Lansing Photos by Peter Draugalis / draugalisphotography.com 13 Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 14 Baker’s Dozen Beer Run, Marshall Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 14 Capital City River Run, Lansing Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 15 Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, Philadelphia Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net 16 Dan Jilek 5K Memorial Fun Run, Ann Arbor Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 19 Raise Hope and Foster Dreams, Ypsilanti Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 20 Sandhill Crane All Trail Half Marathon, Vandalia Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 21 Wild Life Marathon, Concord Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Michigan Runner © is published six times yearly for $17.00 per year by GreatLakes Sports Publications, Inc., 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.Third Class Postage paid at Dearborn, MI and additional mailing offices. Post-master: Send Address changes to Michigan Runner,4007 Carpenter Rd., #366,Ypsilanti, MI 48197. All contents of this publication are copyrighted all rightsreserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphiccontent in any manner is prohibited. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs,and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressedenvelope, bearing sufficient postage; publisher assumes no responsibility for re-turn of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions of the writers are their ownand do not necessarily reflect endorsement and/or views of the Michigan Runner.Address all editorial correspondence, subscriptions, and race information to:Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, (734) 507-0241, FAX (734) 434-4765, [email protected], www.glsp.com. Subscription rates:Continental U.S. $17.00 per year: Payable in U.S. funds. Single issue $3.00, backissues $5.00. Change of address: Send your magazine label and your new addressto Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

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Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - November / December 2014

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Melon Run, Howell, August 15, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Before running the 5K herself, Sarah Neville of Howell helpsa small contestant roll his melon.

Mike Andersen of Walled Lake took the 10K title in 33:09.

Audrey Belf, bib no. 577, of Bloomfield Hills, was first femaleand second overall in the 5K with a time of 17:06.

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A small contestant holds on tightly to Sparty’s finger after atumble during the melon roll.

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European Athletics Championships, Zurich, August 13, 2014Photos by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Tiffany Porter (Ypsilanti / University of Michigan) won gold for Great Britain by beating Cindy Billaud of France by three hun-dredths of a second to win the 100m hurdles in 12.76. It’s the first time Britain has won this event.

Tiffany Porter celebrates her championship in the 100 meter hurdles.


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Crim Festival of Races, Flint, August 22 and 23, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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Nathan Martin of Spring Arbor was 8th, the top American &Michigan finisher in the 10 mile for the second year in a row.

Nicole Sifuentes of Plymouth (right) won the women’s professional mile in 4:44.13.Heather Kampf (bib 15) of Minneapolis was right behind her with a 4:44.24.

Addie May of Flushing won the highschool challenge mile Friday night, thenwon the 8K run on Saturday.

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Sarah Boyle finished the 10 mile in 7th place, the first Ameri-can and Michigan athlete to finish.

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The start of the 5K run shows female winner Nicole Hanson (bib 15240) and Ed Labair (bib 15317) runner-up and masters win-ner.

Carson Truesdell (bib 12778) was the eventual winner of the 8K Run. Members of the Lawrence Tech cross country team tookthe next three places: Graham Elliott (bib 12176) second, Tanner Flint (bib 12190) third, and Quinn Williamson (bib 12485)fourth.


Labor Day 30K, Milford, August 30, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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This tandem finishes the Labor Day 30K bicycle race.

30K Run winner, Mike Andersen (bib 1301), of Walled Lake, takes an early lead.Nicole Monette of Royal Oak is the 30KRun female champion in 2:04:30.

Cindy Goodhue (bib 1329) of Milford and Maryann Chupa(bib 1049) of Wixom celebrate as they finish the 30K run.

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Golab 5K Labor Day Run, Hamtramck, September 1, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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Chris Bell, age 16, was first overall inthe 5K.

Justin Craig of Detroit finished first in17:02, a full 2:51 ahead of all others.

Christine Zittel (bib 257) of Waterford, Trish Barrick (bib 256) of Bloomfield Hills,Domingo Valdez (bib 253) of Temperance, frequent racer JIm Zittel (bib 248) andDenise Dashner (bib 252) of Temperance run the 5K in Hatmtramck.

Marcia Blackstrom (bib 2) was the first female and second overall to finish.

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Albion 5K, September 20, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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College men start.


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Sarah Kettel of the Capital Homeschool team captured firstplace in the Girls White race , 18:10.

Winner Audrey Belf, led her Birming-ham Seaholm team to a first place fin-ish in the Spartan Girls Elite race.

In the closest race of the meet, Royal Oak’s Ben Hill (bib 4219) edged Jesse Hershaof Concord for the win in the Spartan Boys Elite race.

Donavan Brazier of Kenowa Hills was first to the finish in theBoys Green race, 15:57.


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Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, September 14, 2014©

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Winners gathered at the podium are Matt Yacoub, 1st Master 10K, Erin Kelly, 1stMaster 10K, JacquelineMcKinley, 2nd Open 10K, Matt Fecht with three medals, 1stOpen 5K, 1st Open 10K and 1st Open 15K (combined 5K & 10K), Amanda Wolski,1st Open 10K, Joe Bojman, 1st Master 5K.

5K winner Danielle Savard talks withMichigan Runner reporter, Charles Douglas McEwen.

Participants in the Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo receive admission to the Zoo after the race. Among the Zoo’s residents arethis mama kangaroo and her baby.

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios


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Baker’s Dozen Beer Run, Marshall, September 20, 2014

This goofy, untimed event in Marshall includes a run, a bicycle ride, an, inline skate and lots of beer and doughnuts.

Capital City River Run, Lansing, September 21, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Rachel McFarlane of Lansing won the female’s title in the in-gural Capital City River Run marathon in 2:50:33.

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The Capital City River Run added a marathon this year andJerome Recker took the title of this first one in 2:34:47.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, Philadelphia, September 21, 2014

Megan Goethals, in her first half marathon, finished in1:17:39.

Half marathoners start in Philadelphia. At right, in the front, are Katie Kellner, and Megan Goethals, both running for Hansons Brooks.

Katie Kellner finished her half marathon in 1:14:39, a timewhich qualifies her for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

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Dan Jilek 5K Memorial Fun RunAnn Arbor, October 5, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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Dan Jilek 5K Memorial Fun RunAnn Arbor, October 5, 2014

Family and friends of Dan Jilek gatherevery year for a 5K race to honor hismemory. Jilek played football for Michigan and the Buffalo Bills.


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Dan Jilek 5K Memorial Fun Run, Ann Arbor, October 5, 2014

Dan Jilek’s daughter, Elisabeth Jilek-Pace, runs the 5K in Gallup Park.

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Raise Hope and Foster Dreams, Ypsilanti, September 27, 2014

Ignacio and Emilio Paniqgua, both age 14, finished the 5K in 28:23 and 28:22 respectively. The race was held in Ypsilanti’sRolling Hills County Park.


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Sandhill Crane All Trail Half Marathon, Vandalia, October 11, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prinde Studios

Emily Gunn of Dowagiac was the fourth female in the half-marathon. Sister Sarah Gunn of Brookline, MA, and brotherJake of Olympia, WA also ran the half while their dad, RonGunn, directed the race.

Mary Garcia (bib 20) of South Bend, Indiana and Monica Snide (bib 81) of Mishawaka, Indiana run the half-marathon.

Hannah Norton of Union City beat all the men and all thewomen in the half marathon with a time of 1:35:28.

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Wild Life Marathon, Concord, October 12, 2014Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prinde Studios

Brian Olsen was first master and second overall in the halfmarathon with a time of 1:23:51.

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The Olsen family of Jackson took home lots of hardware:Kristina won the 5K in 18:31 and was third overall.

Martha Olsen was first master and second female in the halfmarathon.

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Trivia: Immediately beforeit became USATF (UnitedStates of America Track &Field), what was the name

of our governing body?

Increase FalloutI’ve watched the

prices for races, shoes, ap-parel and accessories climbsteadily in the past dozenyears. The number ofraces has also risensteadily.

I don’t run or race anymore due to an arthriticfoot, but prices and numbers don’t go unnoticed. Ithink I’d get a consensus many race entry fees seem toohigh, except, as my Texas friend Monte Wells noted,among newer runners who’ve never known any differ-ent.

Yet, like the price for things we outfit ourselveswith to run, it seems little can be done to stem this im-minent hit to the wallet. Not only are price increasesimminent, a leveling off or reduction is unlikely anytime soon.

And there you are, wanting to run and race withno option but to “pay the man.” The way I see thingsunfolding, you’re in a pickle: is there a way to fight backagainst higher prices or, flip side, should you fight theinevitable? Shouldn’t you bite the bullet and pay theasking price?

I’m not going to get into what I feel are race feesthat are ”too high”; I’m sure you can determine thatyourselves. The fixed costs to put on races has gone upslower than many race fees in the past dozen years. Is itfair to single that out when comparing past fees withpresent? Who am I to begrudge a race from making asmuch money as the market will bear?

What value, other than educational, would it be ifI could get a dozen high-priced races to lay out theirrace budgets here for you to look over? It would cer-tainly make for healthy conversation, but you’d stillhave to pay the fees.

Runners are a captive audience and some races takeadvantage of that. Is that a bad thing? In the current cli-mate, the answer is immaterial. They’ll do it anywayand there’s no recourse, no official body races must an-swer to. Oh sure, you could vote by not entering a raceand/or write the race, asking about their entry fee.That’d make you a smarter consumer but won’t changethe escalation of fees.

I feel equal parts cynicism and frustration over ris-ing fees. I debated raising this issue because I can’t see a“solution” and I’m not even sure it’s a problem. But, mygoodness, some of these fees seem so high, some a lothigh.

Consider this venting then, a way to get this off mychest and “out there” for others to see. A way to pub-

licly note, “Hey, your product, it seems expensive,”without pressure to require changes. I do suggestchanges but trust in the running business to seek itsown level of fees and expenses. And there’s this: if you’rewilling to pay $57 for a color run, that’s your affair. I getthat. But I don’t have to like it.

Having said all this, there are plenty of reasonably-priced races, shoes, etc. Many to most deliver the sameamenities as the higher-priced competition. It’s great tosee them around and, better, reasonably-priced runningstuff is not going away. I have many suggestions on howto cut race fees, but that’s for another time. I knowsome race costs are fixed, many are not.

I mentioned the ever-increasing number of races.The calendar overflows with choices. There doesn’t ap-pear to be any slacking in the number getting added ei-ther.

Some of the explanation is many of the new eventsare staged to raise funds. I don’t have a problem withthat or the flood of new races. Gives folks reason to staycloser to home to race and more options in general.

However, the proliferation of races has had majorimpact on the number and quality of runners finishingat the top of all those races. The glut has watered downcompetition at the front of races. More races equalsfewer good, performance-motivated folks to go aroundbecause they scatter to all points on the race schedule. Inoted the downward trend in time for place in the Dex-ter-Ann Arbor half marathon here before, comparing1983 and 2013. This trend can be seen at all Michiganraces, with the Fifth Third 25K only recently seeing aslowing for place.

It isn’t a matter of good or bad, simply inevitabledue to various factors, principally the huge number ofraces to pick from compared to the past. On the upside, more folks are placing in their age groups. Thedownside: we aren’t seeing larger numbers of the verybest showing up at the same place as in the past. We’vegained quantity and sacrificed quality as far as competi-tion is concerned.

It’s been both bewildering and troubling to watchthe gradual slowing of times for place over the past 25years. Bewildering because I feel like asking, “Wherehave all the cowboys gone? Why so few running fastany more?”

More races doesn’t explain fewer “cowboys.” It’stroubling to see the downturn because it’s still a sportwhere, at least in school, running your fastest is pro-moted. The rewards of training hard and racing wellhaven’t diminished. Why, then, fewer post-school-agerunners “reaching for the sky”? Many theories and rea-sons have merit.

While I’m bewildered and troubled on one hand,what’s happening on the prep and college level is hearten-ing when it comes to large numbers of people motivatedby performance. The NCAA Division 1 men’s andwomen’s cross country championships are the deepest,most-competitive races in America. I’m lucky to be as in-timately involved as an announcer at both levels as I am.

Prep and college running are my roots and there’s arestorative effect when I’m surrounded by it. While I’mhappy and appreciative of all runners, I’m particularlydrawn to the spirit/talent of the very best.

High prices, too many races, the fastest runners:slices of the sport’s Big Picture.

PhunI hear and read a lot of people telling others to,

“Have fun,” about an upcoming running event.That’s suggesting what occurs naturally. Running isfun. If it weren’t, no running would get done.

There are many shades of fun in running fromrecreational to serious, social to solitary, sublime tochallenging. You know it’s not fun when you feelsigns of stress, compromising health and interest.

Asking others to “have fun” hints it’s all work,no play. It’s work that is play. Run for fun, myfriends; it’s implicit.

Answer: TAC, The Athletics Congress. Much of the rest of the world refers to T&F as athletics.

- MR-

Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard

Scott Hubbard

36th Annual

Entry form & information:Recreational Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe18185 SycamoreRoseville, MI 48066(586) 445-5480www.rare-mi.govRegister online: active.com

Reg. Fees: $25 by 4pm Nov. 5$30 on race day

Roseville Big Bird 0914_Roseville Big Bird 8/12/14 12:11 PM Page 1


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HOLLAND (9/27/14) — Parking for Park2Parkin Park Township is never easy. Not with the half-marathon and 5K having grown so much in their10 years.

When name sponsor Holland Hospital andrace director Sherrie Santos moved last year’sstart/finish to the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, itmade car access easier. Road repairs this year meantmeant parking nearby in the Park Township Air-port, with drivers wary of ducking Cessnas.

No casualties were reported. Plus perfectweather (sunshine, mid-50s temperatures) and aflat, fast course drew close to 1,000 finishers tothe long race, which included romps throughlakes Macatawa and Michigan parks before fin-ishing in front of the horse-race oval grandstand.

Ben Foreman, 36, of Grand Rapids shiftedfrom park to drive in a hurry, gapping the fieldand winning in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 56 sec-onds. Runner-up Kevin Hagan, 25, of GrandRapids (1:19:12) was a full mile back when thewinner finished.

The women’s race was as close as the men’srace wasn’t, with Eliz Hager and Karin Viss reel-

ing in pacesetter Andrea Gearheart during thefinal mile. Hager, 41, of Hudsonville won in1:25:54. Vis, 32, of Jenison (1:26:05) andGearhart, 32, of Wayland (1:26:10) crossedclose behind her.

5K viewers thought they were seeing doublewhen twins Nathan and Jeffrey Fujioka ofGrand Rapids blazed through the WaukazooWoods to finish 1-2 in 16:16 and 17:15. Thirdoverall was women’s winner Alicia Sherwood,27, of Zeeland in 18:11. The shorter race drewclose to 400 runners and walkers.

All could feast on traditional post-race refuel-ing fare plus Park2Park’s famous meatballs. “Somerunners come back for the meatballs every year,”Santos said.

The event raises funds for Neighbors Plus, anonprofit Christian community development or-ganization that provides programs to help individ-uals, children and families reach next-step goals.

For complete results and more informationabout next year’s races, visithttp://www.park2parkrace.com.

- MR -

Park2Park, Holland

Runners Take Flight, Cars Don’t at Park2ParkBy Scott Sullivan

Eliz Hager Ben Foreman

ROYAL OAK (9/6/14) — Drew Minnich, 12, ledthe 21st annual Gilda’s Family 5K Run for the firstmile. Then Kevin Sherwood, 52, took over. ButShawn Mueller, 30, of Birmingham led when itcounted most: at the finish line.

Mueller won after zipping by Sherwood withabout a mile to go, posting a personal record time of20:28, 17 seconds faster than second-place Sherwood.

“I don’t know how I caught him,” Mueller said.“Just went for it.”

“I heard the feet coming and thought, ‘Ohman. Not again!’” said Sherwood, who led last year’s5K until the final 200 yards, when winner JasonOlson passed him.

“When you’re the rabbit, you’re the goal ofeveryone behind you,” added the Royal Oak resi-dent, who provides a nice target since he usuallydresses in the red, white and blue favored by hishero, Capt. America.

Rounding out this year’s top five were Minnich,also of Royal Oak (20:57); Jesse Linue, 36, of WhiteLake (21:11) and Eric Stahmen, 32, of Troy (21:15).

Women’s winner Heather Lewandowski, 40, ofChesterfield finished right behind Stahman in21:16. “I had a phenomenal time,” she said. “I neverran that fast before.”

Lewandowski chopped close to two minutes offher previous PR at that distance. “I don’t knowwhere it came from,” she said. “I just had a lot speedand carried it through.”

The next women were Jennifer Rea, 48, RochesterHills (21:57), Hope Calati, 41, of Royal Oak (23:12),Heather Sejnowski, 27, of Pontiac (25:28) and ChloeGilcher, 10, of West Bloomfield (26:03).

This race, which started after comedian and ac-tress Gilda Radner died from cancer, raises moneyfor Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit.

“My mom died from cancer and was a Gilda’sClub participant,” said Lewandowski. “They offertons of support to patients, families and survivors.”

Radner’s dream, according to the www.gildas-clubdetroit.org website, “was to create a free supportcommunity for people with cancer, their familiesand friends. Today that dream is fulfilled at Gilda’sMetro-Detroit, a three-story, non-residential housein Royal Oak (also known as Gilda’s House).

“Gilda’s Club provides a social and emotionalprogram for men, women, teens and children livingwith cancer, their families and friends in a non-resi-dential, home-like setting,” it continues. “There isno cost to participate in our program.”

For complete esults, go to http://fastdogtim-ing.com.

- MR -

Gilda’s Family 5K, Royal Oak

Gilda’s Champs Glide to PRsBy Charles Douglas McEwen

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HUNTINGTON WOODS (9/14/14) —Though Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo attractedmore than 3,500 participants, Matt Fecht had the5K and 10K all to himself this year.

Fecht, 30, of Warren, who won the Ply-mouth YMCA one mile, 5K, and 10K in thesame morning June 15, ran away with bothraces at Run Wild, which started and finishedat the Detroit Zoo.

The morning provided runners and walk-ers with sunny, Goldilocks-like weather. “Not toocold, not too hot,” Fecht said. “I’ll take that.”

In the 5K, which started at 8 a.m., Fechttimed 16:03, easily besting runner-up KeithErichsen, 16, of Farmington (17:47). “I kindof wanted to be around 5:10 (per mile) pace onthe day,” Fecht said afterward. “So, goal one ac-complished.”

Moving on to the 8:45 a.m. 10K,Fecht finished in 32:33, far ahead of second-place Matt Yacoub, 40, of Farmington (34:49).

“I was grinding a little,” Fecht said after-ward. “It’s hard being all by yourself.”

The time between races adds to the chal-lenge, he continued. “You run the 5K, thenyou have 20 to 25 minutes where you have tostay warm and loose. Then you have to run ahard 10K.”

Scott Moore, 30, of Royal Oak snaggedthird place in both the 5K (18:29) and 10K(38:89). “After the 5K, I didn’t have as muchleft for the 10K) as I wanted,” hr said. “But Iran nice and even.”

Danielle Savard, 31, of Rochester Hillsdominated the women’s 5K, but didn’t loveher 18:47 time. “It’s great to win, but I want to getback into the 17s. I didn’t do that,” she said.

Lizabeth Devine of St. Clair Shores fin-ished second for the women in 21:04. Next cameWitney Laderoute, 23, of Clarkston in 21:16.

Amanda Wolski, 33, of Dearborn won thewomen’s 10K in 42:24. “This is my first win ever!”she exulted. “I knew I couldn’t let up at all. It wasexciting having people cheer for me. I even got a fewfist-pumps from the spectators.”

Wolski passed Angela Kasten, 28, of Davi-

son at the one-mile mark and held the lead to thefinish. “I felt confident,” she said. “At one point Ipeeked behind me and didn’t see any women. ‘Allright, I’ve got this,’ I told myself. And I did.”

Jacqueline McKinley, 28, of Royal Oak fin-ished second (43:09) after passing Kasten, who wasthird in 43:33.

Race proceeds benefited the Detroit Zoo-logical Society and veterinary care for the animals.For complete results, go tohttp://detroitzoo.org/runwild.

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RunWild for the Detroit Zoo, Huntington Woods

Fecht Runs Wild, Doubles at Detroit Zoo

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Matt Fecht won both the 5K and 10K runsby large margins.

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Iwas really looking forward to this run.

It was a beautiful, crisp morning. The tempera-ture was in the low single digits, but lack of windmade it feel invigorating, not depressing. At 6 a.m.,neighborhood lights were flicking on intermittentlyand woodland creatures were winding down a nightof foraging and heading back to their secluded hide-aways. The air was silent except for the occasionalbarking dog.

This was my first run of the week. I took Mon-day off to pacify my aching legs, which had battledthick, sloppy, slippery snow the past week. By theend of my (shortened) Sunday run, both quads werescreaming, “No mas! No mas!” Tuesday morninghad been a swim. Wednesday was another (involun-tary) day off due to a work gathering. Thursday hadbeen another swim, squeezed in at the end of theday. But now, finally, I was ready to hit the roadsagain.

The footing was much improved, with the coldtemps freezing the snowy mess and providing somewelcomed traction. I adjusted my headlamp andstarted off at a slow jog, testing the footing andchecking for errant snow clumps. The frosty air hitmy face and brought a quick chill to my fingers,which I knew would lessen as I continued. Down tothe end of my road, then a sharp left, then on to therest of my customary morning route.

I hadn’t gone more than a few feet past thesharp left when my right foot buckled. I pitchedforward onto the icy road. Wow, I thought, I’venever gone down this hard before. Sharp painripped through my right ankle. I gripped it and grit-ted my teeth. Oh, crap. This was a bad one.

It was too cold to sit for long, so after a mo-ment I hauled myself up and started to hobblehome. I hadn’t run far enough to warm up and thefrigid air cut through my jacket. Sometimes, afterother ankle rolls, I’ve been able to jog slowly. Notthis time. I was lucky I could walk and probablyshouldn’t have been doing that. Anger and frustra-tion hit simultaneously. I knew I wasn’t going to runagain anytime soon and wondered whether I’d beable to run again at all. I’ve rolled my right ankleseveral times, twice severely, and didn’t know howmuch more damage it could endure. I wanted to crybut knew that wouldn’t help. And I didn’t want thefrozen tears stuck to my face.

I got back to the house, pulled off my shoesand grabbed a gel pack from the freezer. I knew thedrill. I sat on the kitchen floor and wrapped thepack around my swollen ankle. My husband Richwatched quietly. “Do you need to go to urgentcare?” he finally asked. No, I said. I had to give a

presentation at a meeting that afternoon and had abunch of tasks on my to-do list for the morning. Iwould take the gel pack to work and keep the anklewrapped and propped up. “If it’s looking particu-larly bad after my meeting, we’ll go,” I said.

I never made it to the meeting. Despite the iceand some ibuprofen, the ankle continued to swell,gradually but continuously, throughout the morn-ing. By noon, I was texting Rich in all caps(“COME GET ME!”) and we headed to the Uni-versity of Michigan emergency room. Two hourslater, my ankle swollen to the point that I couldn’twear a shoe, I was fitted with a walking boot andgiven instructions to ice and keep the ankle elevatedas much as possible. I was also handed a sheet ofrehab exercises, most of which I already knew (andhelped explain to the nurse trainee who was assistingme). The ankle wasn’t broken, just badly torn up. Itneeded time and rest. Fortunately, I guess, this hap-pened on a Friday, so I could lie on the couch fortwo days without having to take sick time.

My spring racing plans were down the crapper.Riverview Winterfest was the following Saturdayand I doubted I would even be able to hobble bythen. The Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K was amonth away and I ended up having to skip that too.During that first week, when even the pressure ofthe blankets on my bed brought intense pain, I wassure my running days were over. Goodbye career,goodbye quiet mornings on beautiful dirt roads,goodbye to the three extra pair of training flats I got

before my Brooks sponsorship ended. Maybe Icould take up cycling, like Rich, although havingtwo cyclists in the house would be extremely expen-sive.

For two weeks, I was the consummate couchpotato. At work, I rested my foot on a chair next tomy desk. As soon as I got home, I headed to the sofawith its trusty stack of pillows. Normally, the totallack of activity would drive me nuts. No cross train-ing; nothing to channel my energy and nerves. Butthis time was different. It wasn’t a choice; not a “youshould” but a de facto “you must.” That didn’t makeit any more enjoyable, but it did make it bearable. Ihad to accept the situation or make myself andeveryone around me miserable.

The first hint of hope came about three weeksafter my tumble, when the ankle was able to toleratea short swim. It hurt like heck, but the resistance ofthe water felt good in a masochistic kind of way.Psychologically, it was a huge benefit; while swim-ming is far from my favorite activity, at that point Iwas ready to take anything. And I knew the gentleflexing of my ankle would serve as physical therapy,loosening up damaged tissues and helping rebuildtheir strength. Getting in and out of the pool was achallenge, as any direct pressure on the ankle wasstill torture, but I figured out a way to minimize thestress while also not drawing too much attention tomyself. Scheduling my swim during the senior wateraerobics session helped, as by comparison everythingI did looked lithe and agile.

The next step was cycling. The roads were still asnowy mess, so my bike was set up on the trainer inour storage room. Pedaling was a challenge — pres-sure, in addition to flexing those delicate ligaments— so the first session was brief (and extremely bor-ing). But again, it was exercise. Better than nothing.

The ultimate test, of course, was running. Ilooked forward to the day with a mixture of excite-ment and apprehension; excitement to be out onthe (ice-free) roads again and apprehension becauseI had no idea how it would feel. Even if the anklewas fine, what about the rest of my body? Wouldeverything work correctly? Would any slight favor-ing of the ankle bring on all those compensatory in-juries I’ve been battling for the past 15 years? Was Iwilling to take that risk and pay the resulting price ifit did?

About six weeks post-spill, I laced up my shoesand headed out the door. Less than half a mile later,I turned around and walked home. Not yet. By thispoint, walking felt “normal” and was almost pain-free. I knew I had to be patient until running feltthat way as well — when I could do it withoutthinking about it. I gave it another two weeks, thentried a very slow and cautious three-mile loop onthe dirt roads near my house. While not perfect, it

Beyond the Chip

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Laurel Park volunteers during the Dex-ter Ann Arbor Run in June.


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felt OK in a way that told me I would be back.Maybe not as soon as I’d like, and certainly not asfast as I’d like, but I would be back. If I kept my am-bition under control, I might even be able to dosome summer racing.

Instinct is a fascinating thing. Over the years,I’ve learned that instinct regarding my body is rarelywrong. My body knows whether the slight hitch inmy stride, or the almost imperceptible tug in myhamstring, is an aberration or a harbinger of doom.It may not know exactly what is wrong, but mybody knows something is wrong and reacts accord-ingly. Sometimes it over-reacts, which can be moredamaging than the problem itself. It’s the over-react-ing I worry about, so when my instinct tells mesomething is not right, I pay attention. I wonderedhow long it would take before my body stopped re-acting to the ankle, when it would be satisfied every-thing was really OK and we could continue on asusual.

I got my answer in early June. It was a beauti-ful, sunny morning and I was running one of my fa-vorite routes. I wasn’t even thinking about my ankle.As I swerved to avoid some potholes in the dirt road,I felt my right foot trip on something; a large rock,indistinguishable from the ground around it, wasjutting up out of the road. My ankle reacted; ittightened up, stabilized and protected itself. After acouple quick hops to regain my balance, I keptgoing. The ankle stung for a moment, then it wasfine.

I was back — ready for the next challenge.

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HOWELL (8/15/14)— Giggles zippedaround the warm-uparea as my two littlerunners, amid hun-dreds, geared up fortheir quarter-mile KidsMelon Dash during theHowell Melon Runs.They chased each otheraround in a tag-likegame to get the juicesflowing, tickling, skip-ping and smiling: allthings a mom wouldhope to see at a celebra-tion for a fruitful har-vest.

The race directorgathered these bright-eyed athletes under thestart balloon. Nary awatch beeped for a sig-nal, no one glancedaround to size up the competition nor was spon-sored; all were there because they loved to run.

As our dashers began, the crowd erupted withcheers that could compete with the biggest and most

prestigious races.

Knead and stretch the muscles. Warm them upso that they can carry you through this adventure.

Start the timer with a bullhorn and bake in theglow of summer twilight for as long as needed tobreak the finish tape.

Along the course, sprinkle runners generouslywith water to carry each kid through the final push.

Whisk away any doubts or nerves with clappingand shouts of encouragement.

Take in deep breaths of the ripe melon smellwafting through the air.

Listen to the rhythmic thumping of soles onthe street. Little strides and pumps, yet big eyes ofdetermination to give everything they have.

Taste the celebration of all things summer; acelebration of all things good and of running.

Regardless of clock time, you’re sure to get bigsmiles, some gasping for air, and a taste of success infinishing. Garnish with a finisher’s ribbon.

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Melon Run, Howell

Kids Melon Dash Offers Pinch of FunBy Kacey Tulley

Author’s daughter,Montana, races inthe Melon Dash.

Every new race hopes to become a reveredyearly favorite (witness the phrase “first an-nual”), but a few new runs are so bad that

they thankfully lasted only one year.

In my hometown of Lapeer in the late 1990s, Iwas excited to hear of a first-time race called the“Railroad 5K.” Who hasn’t enjoyed running on asmooth, un-trafficked rail-trail?

But this race wasn’t on a rail-trail; it was runon actual railroad tracks. Ever try to run on endlessboards, each 10 inches apart, with sharp, annoyingrocks in between?

At about the mile mark, we actually climbedup into a series of open-ended boxcars, runningthrough them and jumping from one to the next.

That part was actually pretty cool, but they ap-parently didn’t inform the Union Pacific people ofthe race, because the conductor hooked an engineto the cars and started to pull away. With about 30of us inside, it started moving down the tracks anddidn’t stop until we got to Flint.

I’d run 5K but gone 20 miles. And the com-pany wouldn’t even drive us home, so I had to callmy brother to come pick me up. To make mattersworse, the race wouldn’t give us our finisher medalsbecause we’d “gone off course.”

Rightly, the Railroad 5K was a one-time race.

A lot of Grand Rapids Christian groups spon-sor events for charitable causes, so it didn’t surpriseanyone when the group “Water for the World”(which digs wells in impoverished countries) an-nounced a fundraiser marathon. What was “outthere” was their decision to help people experiencethe anguish of thirst by holding the race at 2 p.m.on a July Saturday and not offer or allow any fluidsduring the race.

When all runners were crawling by 15 milesand none finished, they never held this race again.Now instead they ask people to dump a bucket ofnothing on your head and donate the money yousave to supply water for Africa.

Some courses are so popular more than one

annual race is held on them. (A 5K course on HinesDrive near where I live seems to host at least 10 dif-ferent races throughout the year.)

Well, everyone loves the race across the Mack-inac Bridge in October, so Harold Wiley decided tohold a race on the same course in the spring. Hejust didn’t understand concepts like permission,permits, consent, etc. Imagine 300 people runningup the on ramp toward St. Ignace when nobodytold state officials they were coming.

Though billed as a 5-mile run, it only lasted500 yards before police arrived. None of the run-ners got their money back because Harold needed itto pay all his fines. That race was held only oneyear, and rightly so.

So to all the races that make it two years, wesalute your success. To the others, may you rest inpeace.

When not writing and running, Dean Johnson is pas-tor at Lake Pointe Bible Church in Plymouth.

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One-Time RacesBy Dean Johnson

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ROCHESTER(9/28/14) — After win-ning the 10K last yearwhile pregnant, NicoleMonette captured thehalf marathon with hereight-month-old sonand husband on thesidelines at the seventhannual Health PlusBrooksie Way.

“I’m excited to winagain here,” said the 29-year-old Royal Oak resi-dent. “I’m running forthe Hope Water Projectfor Kensington Church(www.hopewaterpro-ject.org), which made itextra special.”

The event, held on a warm, sunny morning thisyear, honors the memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson,the son of Oakland County Executive L. BrooksPatterson, who died in a snowmobile accident in2007 at age 28.

Monette, who timed 1:21:58, led the womenby nearly nine minutes. Next came Amanda Wolski,33, of Dearborn (1:30:40) and top master Kim San-ner, 46, of Macomb (1:31:13).

“It wasn’t easy,” Monette said of the course.“There are definitely some hills on it.”

Men’s winner Donald Richmond, 29, of Por-tand, described the course from a different perspec-tive. “It’s fast until you get to Dutton Road,” he said.“The Dutton hill (alone) makes it a slow course.”

Richmond nonetheless broke the race openwhile ascending the hill. Up to that point he hadtangled with defending champ Leo Foley, 33, of In-dependence Township and the 2011 and 2012 win-ner, Shane Logan, 36, of Clarkston.

The three went through 10K in 33:30. Afterthat Foley fell off the pace. “Donnie and I werecruising through eight miles at mid- 43 (minutes),”Logan said. “Then the hill ruined me. I tried tocatch back up, but there was no way.”

The last tenth of a mile challenged runners witha steep climb to the finish. “I was in immense pain,”Richmond said. “I felt like my legs were going togive out, but I kept it together.” Richmond finishedin 1:11:57 and Logan in 1:12:21. Bryce Stroede, 19,of Rochester (1:13:29) edged Foley (1:13:30) forthird place.

Joel Kozlowski, 43, of Macomb (1:21:52) out-kicked Mack Stillwagon, 40, of Harrison (1:12:58)for the masters title..

Mohamed Hrezi, 22, of Rochester ran awaywith the 10K. The recent Iowa State Universitygraduate, competing in his first road race for theHansons-Brooks Distance Project, finished in 31:11.Next came Aaron Greb, 18, of Washington Town-ship in 36:30. “I just tried to take advantage of thedownhills and work hard on the uphills,” Hrezisaid.

Laura Armstrong, 38, of Ypsilanti (46:11)edged Aimee Kaber, 33, of Canton (46:20) to cap-ture the women’s 10K.

As in the half marathon and 10K, 5K runnershad to contend with hills. “The first two miles werereally fast; they’re downhill,” said Adam Richmond,26, of Ortonville, the men’s winner in 16:59. “Butthe last mile was really tough.”

Second overall in 17:14 was women’s champAmanda Mergaert, 23, of Shelby. She finished onesecond ahead of men’s runner-up Justin Craig, 34, ofDetroit and more than two minutes ahead ofwomen’s runner-up Natalia Garlan, 35, of OaklandTownship (19:42).

Mergaert, a recent University of Utah graduatewho now runs for the Brooks Beasts Track Club, hadpre-race trepidations regarding the hilly course. “Itwas easier than I expected,” the winner said.

Race proceeds support programs that encouragehealthy and active lifestyles and are distributedthrough Brooksie Way mini-grants. For complete re-sults, visit http://.thebrooksieway.com. - MR -

The Brooksie Way, Rochester

Richmond, Monette Find Ways to Win Brooksie Way

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Runners starting the half-marathon include Joel Kozlowski,bib 442, Lee Shaw, bib 444, and Nicole Monette, bib 373.

FRANKENMUTH (10/4/14) – Close to 1,000 en-tries enjoyed ideal fall conditions at the third annualBruckelaufe (the Bridge Race) Half Marathon and5K, the final event of the Frankenmuth Jaycees RaceSeries.

“It was great running weather and fun to see thecolors of trees on the route,” said Joe Burns, Detroitchapter coordinator of the nonprofit Medals4Mettlegroup. “It was generous of the Jaycees to let us col-lect medals for our clients fighting illness.”

Athletes, starting and ending at Heritage Parkdowntown, traversed a USATF-certified route ofgrass, paved and dirt roads with numerous bridges,hence the race name.

Joel Kozlowski, an “original Bruckelaufe dude”back for his third year, called the course, “quite chal-lenging, especially running through the farm corn-field and turns in the final mile of the race.

“I love Frankenmuth,” he continued. “I’ve

Bruckelaufe, Frankenmuth

BruckelaufeHalf Marathon

& 5K Dodge Rain

By Tracey Cohen

Medals4Mettle’s Joe Burns runs the halfmarathon.

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MILFORD (9/13/14) — He may have taken a tadmore time circling Kent Lake than three years ago, butMike Andersen still made short work of the JohnRogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge 15K, pre-sented by DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital.

Andersen, 27, of Walled Lake finished in 48:31,28 seconds slower than in 2011 but still fast enoughto win by more than five minutes on the KensingtonMetropark course.

“Three years ago, Matt Fecht and I battled it out,”said Andersen. “Once I got through the first mile thisyear, I knew it was going to be a solo effort. But a racelike this — a Road Runners Clubs of America statechampionship — deserves to be pushed. So I was onmy horse out there. It felt good.”

The cold, blustery weather wasn’t ideal for run-ning fast times. Though still technically summer,many of the spectators — including Andersen’s wifeand five-month-old daughter — bundled up in jack-ets, sweatshirts and/or sweaters.

“This kind of weather reminds you of the crosscountry and marathon season,” Andersen said.“Doug (race director Goodhue) does a first-class jobputting on the event. Nothing beats running aroundKensington with the leaves beginning to turn.”

Robert Cameron, 28, of Brighton finished sec-ond in 53:52. Eric Green, 46, of Pontiac tookthird in 54:30. “I was in second until six (miles),”said Green. “Then he (Cameron) went by me. Thewind got to me at that point.”

With Green claiming third-place overall, JohnNiven, 50, of Swartz Creek was the masters winnerin 58:15. John Tarkowski, 61, of Northville toppedthe grand masters in 1:02:37. Graham Astley, 61, ofBrighton was the senior masters champ in 1:04:38.

A newcomer with a long name and even longerstride captured the women’s 15K. Nicole Michmer-huizen, 22, of Ann Arbor won in 56:52. Next came2011 and 2012 champ Serena Kessler, 42, of Ann

Arbor (59:08) and Melissa Broyles, 36, of Milford(1:01:49).

Michmerhuizen, a Division III All-Americanwho has a 34:09 10K PR, graduated from CalvinCollege in May. “This is my first road race sincethen,” she said. “I’ve done one other 15K, but mymain event was the 10K.”

Kessler was content with runner-up status thisyear. “I’m coming off an injury and haven’t run verymuch in the last year,” she said.

Cindy Tews, 56, of Kawkawlin won femalemasters honors (1:09:51). Helen Peck, 50, of Farm-ington Hills topped the grand masters (1:14:52) andJoanie Rogucki, 61, of Green Valley, Arizona thesenior masters (1:15:15).

Kurt Lenser, 56, of Northville (19:17) and OliviaHuszti, 13, of Milford (21:51) topped the 5K runners.For more information, go to www.aatrackclub.org.

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FREE BABY SITTING • FAMILYDISCOUNT • Carols by HollyHigh School Choir • Homemade

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Run Like the Dickens 2014_Run Like the Dickens 10/6/14 11:22 AM Page 1

J. Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge, Milford

Andersen, Michmerhuizen Romp at Kensington Challenge


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15K winner, Nicole Michmerhuizen 15K winner, Mike Andersen

Bruckelaufe, Frankenmuth

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come here since I was a kid.” He also liked “the hugemedal” he earned for completing all three events.

Christopher Gregory (1:18:42) and AmberDermyre (1:34:44) earned top men’s and women’shonors in the half marathon, while James Rogers(16:19) and Cassie Williams (23:01) paced the 5K.

Tom Belford (2:30:33) and Lynette Heinlein

(2:20:00) topped the half marathon walk. Todd Al-dous (27:37) and Elizabeth Putti (27:43) led the 5Kwalkers.

For complete results and information on the2015 Jaycees Race Series, visithttp://bruckelaufe.org.

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Bruckelaufe continues:


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There is no peaceof mind untilyou run a

marathon, preferablyBoston. At least that’swhat it seemed like dur-ing my first years of run-ning.

I could do 20-mil-ers, race the Crim 10-miler and Old KentRiver Bank 25K, butwhen I proudly told mynon-running friends ofthese adventures, they

offered obligatory compliments but then asked,“Have you run a marathon?”

To the sedentary world, you may be someonewho runs but you’re not a real runner until you havepassed the 26.2-mile test. Ironically, many have noidea how long a marathon is — six miles, 16, 26 …any of those distances could be a marathon to them.What is important to those who ask is that you haverun a marathon, whatever distance it is.

In about my third year of running, I did in fact doa marathon. But the questions persisted, only now theywere, “Have you run Boston?” The next year I ran aqualifying time and proceeded to Boston, where Imade the Hopkinton-to-Boston tour and felt relieved

that the questions would finally stop.

The questions about running marathons andBoston are probably a good thing, since a few of usmight not have done so without the prodding. Fewwho have ever gone there, even if they ran poorly,have regretted the trip. Once you run Boston, thequestions about marathoning end. To the non-run-ning sect, you are a real runner.

Doing Boston may make you a runner, but ifyou venture into other endurance sports there aremore standards to be met. As soon as you starttriathlons, you’ll be asked if you’ve done the Hawai-ian Ironman. If you race on cross country skis inMichigan, there’ll be no relief until you do the Vasa50K race, and anyone with any skiing backgroundwill want to know when you’re going to do theBirkebeiner. I know this because I’ve done Vasa butnot the Birkebeiner.

As a canoe racer, you’ll be asked, “Have youdone the AuSable Marathon?” This event, whichpays out more than $50,000 and is the premiererace in North America, involves paddling the 120-mile length of the AuSable River, including portag-ing over six hydroelectric dams. To make it moreinteresting, the event begins with a 9 p.m. runningstart and paddlers work through the night to finish14 to 18 hours later.

Although I had won two medals in the Na-

tional Canoe Marathon Championships, among myfellow paddlers and non-canoeing friends I wasn’t areal racer until I paddled the AuSable. So I did therace in 1990. The adventure, one of the mostthrilling in my life, might not had happened if Ihadn’t endured several years of having to answer,“Have you paddled the AuSable Marathon?”

I’m sure dog sledders have to do so with the Iditarodand northern Michigan mountain bikers must do so theIce Man race, a 50-mile trail event held in November thatinvariably features snow and sleet. Until you do thesecompetitions, you’re just a pretender.

The fact that endurance athletes are asked ifthey’ve met the gold-standard event for their sport isgood. The nature of such sports is to test the ath-lete’s mental and physical reserves. Few who set outto meet a standard, whether it is a 26.2-mile run,50K ski race or all-night canoe marathon, will fail ifthey’ve done a reasonable amount of preparation.

Yet many of us doubt our abilities; we need apush or maybe just having to answer the question“Have you run a marathon?” a few dozen times tospur us into action.

Michigan Runner editor emeritus Dave Foley is a re-tired coach and teacher who remains active in thewoods and on the streams near his Cadillac home.

- -MR -

Real Runners Run MarathonsBy Dave Foley

Dave Foley

GRAND RAPIDS (9/13/14) – Don Kern first ranthe Boston Marathon in 1996 after winning a lot-tery commemorating the event’s 100th anniversary.

He has returned several times since then and re-mains impressed by the tradition of the world’s old-est annual marathon. The number of runners whoqualify for the race at his Metro Health GrandRapids Marathon each October fills him with pride.

Kern also knows, however, that many fallmarathons are held too late in the year for qualifiersin them to register in time to get into a high-de-mand race like Boston.

That’s why he decided to hold an event cateredexclusively to the Boston Marathon crowd. TheOAM Metro Sports Medicine Last Chance BQ.2Marathon was held on a crisp, cool morning withonly 60 participants — but 33 of them qualified forBoston.

“At first, I thought it would fill up fast, how-ever, it was more of a wait-and-see thing because it’s

a brand-new concept,” Kern said. “We expected thateven though the event wasn’t full, we’d still see ahigh percentage of runners qualifying for Boston –and we did.”

The event was the brainchild of Kern and hisfriends at the Fox Valley Marathon in St. Charles,Ill., Dave Sheble and Craig Bixler, who wanted tocreate an event geared toward the type of runnerwho could qualify for Boston.

Kern strived to add personal touches to the six-loop Kent County Trails course, including personal-ized water stations and bib numbers that remindedrunners of their qualifying times.

“They scheduled the event to coincide with thelast day of the early registration week, so that anyonewho beat their BQ time by more than 5 minutescould still register on Saturday before general regis-tration begins,” Kern said.

“They called to tell me of the idea, and we de-cided we could hold the same event in both places at

the same time. Two cities, two courses, designed tobe fast and treat everyone like an elite runner.”

Kern’s event drew runners from all over the map,including Ohio, Texas, Kentucky and, yes, Boston.

Will Kirk of Richmond, Va., was the top overallfinisher in 2:47:36. The former Christopher NewportUniversity runner and current law student originallyplanned to stamp his ticket to Boston back home at theRichmond Marathon in November before realizing hedidn’t have the qualifying dates correct.

Instead he found an ad for the Last ChanceBQ.2, booked his first trip to Michigan and woundup winning his first-ever marathon.

“I was scrambling to try to find a marathon inSeptember that would qualify me,” Kirk said. “I wasexcited to come here. It’s a great race they’re puttingon to try and get everybody to Boston.”

Another first-time marathoner turned first-timewinner was Rosa Haag of Mexico City, the first

OAM Metro Sports Medicine Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon, GrandRapids

More Than Half of Boston-Qualifying Field SucceedBy Michael Zuidema

SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS (9/6/14)— Three-time Michigan Runner ofthe Year and U.S. over-age-4010,000-meter record holder PaulAufdemberge had heard about the fa-mous (or infamous) Mt. BaldheadChallenge course.

So he drove across state frommetro Detroit early Saturday morn-ing to try it out for himself.

“I haven’t experienced anythinglike it in my 32 years of running,”said Aufdemberge, 49, after winningthe 15th annual 15K Challenge in 1hour, 3 minutes, 11 seconds.

“It was memorable. I’m inspiredto get my quads into better shape be-fore next year’s race!”

Was it climbing 302 steps to thetop of Mt. Baldhead that tested eventhis very-fit runner’s quadriceps?Running down dunes thereafter?Through the wooded, secluded Ox-Bow Art school campus?

How about rambling alongsideLake Michigan? Over a boardwalk,under the Blue Star Bridge, up 14more “baby steps,” then through asculpture garden “wildlife section”?


29

Mt. Baldhead Challenge, Saugatuck-Douglas

More Than 300 ‘Step Up’ to Mt. Baldhead Challenge

By Scott Sullivan

Gayle Bobo (bib 316) of Gary, Indiana, and Angela Cantor (bib 328) of Chicago, Illinois, eachfinished the 15K in 1:42:08.

woman to finish in 3:13:32. Her husband, Paul,found the event while searching for Boston quali-fiers, and Rosa was able to blow away her requiredtime by more than 30 minutes.

“I thought it was going to be more hilly,” saidRosa. “It was easy. I wasn’t sure, but I trained anddid it.”

Kern plans to hold the event again in 2015.Judging by the strong feedback - sample Facebookreaction: “I might be biased because I qualified forBoston, but everything with the race was perfect” —and with the number of finishers who qualified, heexpects the Last Chance BQ.2 to grow.

“I believe that with a high percentage of run-ners from our event heading to Boston, the eventwill be even more popular next year,” Kern said.

- MR -

Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon, continues:Aufdemberge wasn’t alone enjoying a course

that showcased the USA Today’-voted “Top Week-end Escape in America.” More than 300 otherssigned up to tackle the 15K or 5K races, both start-ing and ending at Beery Field in downtown Dou-glas.

Close to 100 volunteers helped the Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club, in its third year as Challengesponsor, raise funds for the Saugatuck High SchoolInteract Club and more local charities, plus createsmiles and energy for runners who came from asfaraway as New York to taste what vibrant, smalltowns can offer.

Saugatuck native Melissa Moore, 29, who nowlives in Kalamazoo, finished second overall and wasthe 15K women’s winner in 1:06:20.

Saugatuck Middle School harrier Corey Gor-gas finished first in the 5K in 19:15. FennvilleHigh School junior Mary Mendoza — one of sevenmembers of her running family to participate —

paced the women in 21:17.

Race directors Jack Sheridan, Chris Yoder andScott Sullivan (full disclosure: yours truly) thankedsponsors and volunteers for making the fitness cele-bration possible.

Saturday’s sunshine and mid-60s temperatures,on the heels of Friday night storms, were not asmall factor either.

Planning is already underway for the Sept. 12,2015, Mt. Baldhead Challenge.

For complete results and more information,visit www.mtbaldheadchallenge.com. Event photo-graphs may be found athttp://bigshotsforkids.org/BaldhedChallenge2014.html andhttp://www.ewilkinson.com/Events/Misc-Events/Mt-Baldhead-Challenge.

- MR -

Photo by

Erin

Wilkinso

n

BRIGHTON (8/13/14) — With her victory in theT-Rex Triathlon Kelly Henris, 25, of Saginaw cap-tured all three races in the Running Fit T-Rex Series.

Along with winning the T-Rex Triathlon, Henrisalso won the Triceratops Triathlon in June and Ptero-dactyl Triathlon in July. All took place at the 4,000-acre Island Lake Recreation Area and have the samehalf-mile swim, 12-mile bike and 5K run course.

Henris, racing for Team ATP, became the firstwoman to win all three triathlons in the sameyear. She, however, didn’t feel as strong as shedid in the first two races.

“It was a bit of struggle today,” she said. “I wascoming off nationals in Milwaukee.” There, Henrisfinished 11th in her age group at USA TriathlonSprint Championships. “I was still feeling that in mylegs,” she said.

Henris trailed LauraCrowar, 29, of Mid-land after the half-mileswim, then caught up toher three miles into thebike leg.

“We went back andforth,” Henris said. “She’dtake off, I’d gun it pasther. then she’d pass meagain.”

The winner tookthe lead for keeps at theend of the bike and ex-panded it during therun.

Henris timed1:08:09. Next cameCristina Noble, 40, ofBrighton (1:09:00) andKaren Perzyk, 45, of West Bloomfield (1:10:47).

Henris, Noble and Perzyk also went 1-2-3 inthe T-Rex Series. Henris had a combined time of3:24:40, Noble 3:27:25 and Perzyk 3:33:33.

Among the men, Will Jurkowski, 28, a for-mer University of Michigan triathlon and trackstandout, spoiled Roman Krzyzanowski’s bid to winall three triathlons as Henris did.

Krzyzanowski, 43, of Plymouth pretty muchdominated the Triceratops and Pterodactyltriathlons. But Jurkowski came out of the waterahead of him, claimed the overall lead on the bikeand finished in 59:03, 59 seconds ahead of

Krzyzanowski (1:00:02).

“Roman is always awesome to raceagainst,” said Jurkowski, who won all three races in2013 with Krzyzanowski taking second in each.

“I could not keep up with him, today,”Krzyzanowski said. “It was a tough race.”

Krzyzanowski had a shot at breaking his 59:41personal record set at this year’s Pterodactyl

Triathlon, “but had issues getting my wetsuit off(after the swim),” he said.

In the series, Krzyzanowski finished first with acombined time of 3:00:20. His Motor City En-durance teammate Dan Lynch, 34, of Novi was sec-ond (3:05:46) and Chris Swiecicki third (3:12:35).

For complete results, go tohttp://runtrextri.com.

- MR -


JACKSON (8/16/14) — “This day is a gift,” saidRandy Step, race director of the first Running Betweenthe Vines Half Marathon and 5K, the second in Run-ning Fit’s inaugural Thirsty Three Event Series.

The cool, crisp race conditions couldn’t have beenbetter for close to 1,300 athletes taking on a quiet,country race course littered with motivational signagethat started and finished at family-owned SandhillCrane Vineyards. Such a crane fittingly graced the skyas the pre-half marathon national anthem sounded.

Audrey Spring, persuaded by her aunt to run, wasglad she did. “I knew the area was beautiful and lovethe winery and country roads,” she said. “I train onroads like these, but that was a really hilly course.”

Ann Anderson, who ran the 5K, agreed thatthe “hills were challenging and course beautiful.”She added she enjoyed the “race swag and afterparty” complete with wine glass, medals, musicand wine tasting.

Brian Mazur won the men’s half marathon in1:23:30. Kelly Valente triumphed for the women in1:35:21. Dan Owczarek (20:01) and Hannah Tuson(21:08) claimed the 5K.

For complete results and information on the se-ries and next year’s race, visit www.rftiming.com andrunvines.com.

- MR -

Running Between the Vines, Jackson

Life’s ‘Grape’ for Running Between Vines Entrants

By Tracey Cohen

Runners gather for the start of Running Between the Vines.

T-Rex Triathlon, Brighton

Henris CleansUp At T-Rex TriBy Charles Douglas McEwen

Kelly Henris wonall three RunningFit triathlons.

Photo by

Cha

rles Do

uglas McE

wen

Photo by

Greg Sa

dler / Greg Sa

dler Pho

tograp

hy


31After opening its doors Aug. 4,

the Ann Arbor Running Co.stepped it up Aug. 16 with a

grand opening celebration completewith an out-and-back run/jog/walk,refreshments, raffle and complimen-tary t-shirt accompanying any shoepurchase.

Co-owners Nick Stanko and IanForsyth, both University of Michiganalumni and part of the local runningcommunity for decades, are excited toexpand “what they do” as runners,coaches and businessmen.

Longtime Ann Arbor Track Clubmember Ken Castle stopped by thestore at 2755 Oak Valley Dr., just offAnn Arbor-Saline Road, to check outthe new digs.

“I work just down the street,”said Castle. “It’ll be nice having aplace close by, and I like supportinglocal businesses.”

On their way home from a racein Jackson, Ann Anderson of Pinck-ney and Maris Laporter of Ann Arbor

hopped off I-94, also excited to checkout the “new guy in town.”

“We’ve been following theirprogress,” said Anderson. “They havea great selection of shoes.”

Brooks, Mizuno, Asics, New Bal-ance, Saucony … the company plansto add vendors to its growing supplyof merchandise while keeping theopen feel of the store.

“We strive to provide the highestquality service as possible,” saidStanko. “If our customers are runninghappy, we are happy.

“We have been through it all,” hecontinued. “We have run great, horri-bly and everything in between. Weknow the ins and outs of runningfrom pure experience, and that’s whatwe want to share with our customers.”

For more information, call (734-662-2400 or visit http://annarborun-ningcompany.com.

- MR -

Ann Arbor Running Co.Open for Business

By Tracey Cohen

Ian Forsyth and Nick Stanko celebrate the opening of theirAnn Arbor Running Company store.

© Carter S

herline

/ Frog

Prin

ce Studios

SHELBY TOWNSHIP (8/10/14)— Trevor Tilley pretty much domi-nated the Tri to Finish Off-Road Triathlon at Stony CreekMetropark. But he did have one hic-cup.

“I dolphin-kicked my way intothe lead during the swim,” said Tilly,24, of Dayton, Ohio. “On the sec-ond really big hill of the bike, myback wheel fell off and I slid off thebike.

“The guy who came in second(David Daprato) passed me while Iwas fixing my wheel. Then I passedhim back and expanded mylead during the run,” he said.

The event consisted of a 3/4-mile swim in Stony Creek Lake,17K mountain bike on hilly trails and5K run on a paved bike path, all inthe 4,461-acre park.

Tilly, a recent graduate ofMiami University in Oxford, Ohio,competed on that school’s swim andtriathlon teams, but had never donea triathlon that involved mountainbiking. “I was nervous the past twoweeks,” he said.

He won in 1:22:05. Daprato,32, of Grand Rapids finished secondin 1:24:46.

Daprato found the bike trailseasy to navigate. “It’s not real tech-nical,” he said. “It has nice, widetrails. You can pass easily.”

Top master Brett Dowdican,43, of New Baltimore, placed third

among men in 1:34:11.

The third person across the fin-ish line was actually Mindy Fer-nando, 36, of Franklin, whodefended her women’s title in1:27:27.

“I came out of the water first,which is unusual for me,” she said.“Swimming isn’t my strength. Afterthat I led the rest of the way.”

Fernando put in a lot of train-ing miles this summer. “I did a 100-mile bike yesterday, so I came intothis race a little tired,” she said.

Megan Fecteau, 29, of Utica,who was third among women lastyear, improved to secondwith her 1:41:11 clocking. “Themountain bike course has serioushills,” she said. “The swim’s greatand the run’s pretty easy. So it’s thebike course that dominates therace.”

The next women were AmberHeadley, 32, of Pinckney(1:44:48) and masters champPhoebe Moore, 43, of Caro(1:45:35).

This race included a duathlonconsisting of 5K run, 17K mountainbike and 5K run. Winners were BobMiller of Saginaw (1:29:17)and Abby Callejas of Webberville(2:20:46).

For complete results, go towww.tritofinish.com or http://race-services.com.

- MR -

Tilly Overcomes LostWheel to Win Try-Tri


Tri to FInish Off-Road Triathlon, Shelby Twp.


32

Sat, 11/1/14 Agri-Fit Challenge 5KR/W Ithaca (989) 463-5525 facebook.com/agrifitchallengeSat, 11/1/14 Day of the Dead Dash 5KR/W Hudson (517) 448-8125 thompsonmuseum.orgSat, 11/1/14 ‘Dia de los Muertos’ / Day of the Dead 5K 10KR, 5KR/W, kids run Saginaw (989) 399-9925 cincokrunsaginaw.com

Sat, 11/1/14 Give It Away 5K / 10K 10KR, 5KR/W Brighton (810) 355-8459 facebook.com/pages/GiveItAwaySat, 11/1/14 “It’s All Good” Scott Pierce Commemorative 5K Dearborn (313) 268-6595 active.comSat, 11/1/14 Lee Honors College Scholar Scare 5KR/W, 1KR Kalamazoo (269) 387-3230 signmeup.com/102223

Sat, 11/1/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/Sat, 11/1/14 Livonia Turkey Trot 5KR/W Livonia (734) 466-2410 www.ci.livonia.mi.usSat, 11/1/14 Michigan High School Cross Country L.P. State Finals 5KR Brooklyn (517) 332-5046 mhsaa.com/sports.aspx

Sat, 11/1/14 Moonlight Bootlegger 5K 5KR Northville (313) 304-0903 bootlegger5k.com/locations/Sat, 11/1/14 Muddy Watters Cider Slam 4MR Rochester Hills (248) 320-5705 jeffwatters.comSat, 11/1/14 Muskegon Turkey Trot 5K Trail Run 5KR/W, kids run Muskegon (231) 894-9693 goracego.com

Sat, 11/1/14 Outrun Hunger 5KR/W, kids run Commerce Township (248) 887-3700 outrunhunger.comSat, 11/1/14 Raising “Bucks” for COA 5KR/W Mt. Pleasant [email protected] isabellacounty.org/dept/coaSat, 11/1/14 Red Cedar Salmon Run 5KR/W East Lansing [email protected] runsignup.com

Sat, 11/1/14 Run of the Dead, a Race Through Southwest Detroit 10KR, 5KR Detroit (313) 842-0986 savorsouthwestdetroit.orgSat, 11/1/14 Scope It Out Detroit 5K 5KR/W Detroit (989) 430-4683 scopeitout5k.com/detroit/Sat, 11/1/14 St. Clair River Turkey Trot 5KR St. Clair (810) 329-7186 scturkeytrot.weebly.com

Sat, 11/1/14 Tri to Finish St. Peter Turkey Trot 10KR, 5KR/W Hemlock [email protected] tritofinish.comSun, 11/2/14 Back to the Wild 5KR, 2MW, 1M Kids Harrison Twp. (586) 783-6729 everalracemgt.comSun, 11/2/14 D.O. Monster Dash 5KR/W East Lansing (509) 991-0492 runningfoundation.com

Sun, 11/2/14 d’Ear Trail 5K/ 10K Race 10KR, 5KW Haslett (517) 655-9698 www.theear.orgSun, 11/2/14 Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) 5K 5KR/W, 1MR/W, kids run Muskegon (616) 240-6756 michianatiming.comSun, 11/2/14 Despicable Run 5KR/W, 1MR Grosse Ile [email protected] everalracemgmt.com

Sun, 11/2/14 New York City Marathon 26.2 MR New York City (212) 423.2249 www.nyrrc.orgSun, 11/2/14 Nightmare 5K, Monster Mile, Kids Pumpkin Roll 5KR/W, 1MR/W, kids run West Branch (989) 345-0220 [email protected], 11/2/14 Rochester Area Optimist Club Bloomer Boogie 5MR/W, 5KR/W, 1KFR Rochester Hills (248) 421-0261 active.com

Sun, 11/2/14 Shelby Twp. Veterans Memorial Run 5KR/W Shelby Twp. active.comTue, 11/4/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comTue, 11/4/14 PR Fitness Group Run 20MR, 10MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com

Wed, 11/5/14 Hansons Group Run - Wednesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comThu, 11/6/14 Hansons Group Run - Thursdays Royal Oak (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.comThu, 11/6/14 PR Fitness Group Run 6MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com

Fri, 11/7/14 Firefly Fun Run/Walk 5KR/W Saginaw Twp. (989) 790-5280 saginawcounty.com/parks/Sat, 11/8/14 ASME/SWE 5K Charity Run 3MR/W Ann Arbor (231) 675-9734 umich.edu/~funrun/Sat, 11/8/14 Bell’s Beer Iceman Cometh Challenge 27MB Kalkaska (231) 922-5926 iceman.com

November / December 2014 Event Calendar

running fit template_running fit template 10/4/14 9:27 AM Page 1


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November / December 2014 Event CalendarSat, 11/8/14 Churchill Family 5K Fun Run 5KR/W, 1MFR Livonia (734) 744-2650 chs-cap.comSat, 11/8/14 Churchill’s Half Marathon 13.1 MR, Perrysburg, OH (419) 360-3709 churchillshalfmarathon.orgSat, 11/8/14 Coldwater High School NHS Turkey Trot 5KR/W, 1MR Coldwater (517) 279-5930 [email protected]

Sat, 11/8/14 Don Dansereau Memorial Scholarship 5K 5KR/W Bay City (989) 553-6656 race-mrm.comSat, 11/8/14 Fall into Fitness 5K Race 5KR/W, 1MR/W Adrian (517) 265-8544 runningwithes.comSat, 11/8/14 Gillette Nature Association Turkey Trail Run 5KR, 1MFR Muskegon (231) 798-3573 goracego.com

Sat, 11/8/14 Hideous Holiday Sweater Run 5KR/W, 1MR/W Milford (248) 595-8526 scleroderma.org/michigan Sat, 11/8/14 Hightail It for Heroes 10KR/Wheel, 5KR Shelby Twp. (248) 475-6411 essmichigan.orgSat, 11/8/14 Key of Hope 5K 5KR, 1MR Linden keyofhope.org

Sat, 11/8/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/Sat, 11/8/14 Long John Run 5KR/W Grand Rapids facebook.com/LongJohnRunSat, 11/8/14 Mid-Land Half / 10K/ 5K 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR Midland (989) 317-5899 michiganhalfseries.com

Sat, 11/8/14 Mt. Brighton Hot Cocoa Classic 5KR/W, 1MR/W Brighton (313) 757-5022 epicraces.comSat, 11/8/14 Mustache Dache 5KR/W, kids run Detroit [email protected] mustachedache.comSat, 11/8/14 NJCAA D1 Cross Country National Championship 8KR, 5KR Lubbock, TX (864) 587-4237 go-thunderbirds.com

Sat, 11/8/14 Panther Fall Classic 5KR/W Comstock Park (616) 785-7880 pantherfallclassic5k.weebly.comSat, 11/8/14 Road Hawg Classic 10KR, 5KR/W Battle Creek (269) 969-3441 [email protected], 11/8/14 Turkey Trot 10K, 5K, Iron Turkey (5 & 10K) 1MR Dexter (734) 213-1033 a2turkeytrot.com

Sat, 11/8/14 USA Marathon Trail Championships 26.2MR Moab, UT usatf.orgSat, 11/8/14 USATF Michigan Association Junior Olympic XC Championships 5KR, 4KR, 3KR Northville (313) 623-3029 michigan.usatf.orgSat, 11/8/14 Veterans Honor Run 11KR, 5KR/W Burton (810) 743-0149 veteranshonorrun.com

Sat, 11/8/14 Woldumar Nature Center Run-a-Munk 13.1M, 10K, 5K, kids run Lansing (517) 927-8955 woldumarnaturecenter.wildapricot.orgSun, 11/9/14 Big Bird Run 10KR, 4KR, 1MR/W Roseville (586) 445-5480 roseville-mi.govSun, 11/9/14 Capac Athletic Boosters Turkey Trot 5KR/W Capac (248_ 249-3128 roadrunnertiming.co

Sun, 11/9/14 Clarkston State Bank Backroads Half Marathon and 10K 13.1MR, 10KR/W Clarkston clarkstonbackroadshalf.comSun, 11/9/14 Dirty Herd World Run Day Trail Run 10KR, 5KR Mattawan (269) 342-5996 gazellesports.comSun, 11/9/14 Glen Lake Turkey Trot 5KR/W, 1MR/W Maple City (231) 334-3061 [email protected]

Sun, 11/9/14 Highland Rugged Man 4.8MR, 2MW Highland (248) 320-9102 stayintheshade.orgSun, 11/9/14 Hogsback Trail Run 5MR, 2MR Lapeer (810) 287-7835 rotpac.comSun, 11/9/14 iCrush 5K 5KR/W Big Rapids (231) 349-9980 icrush.org

Sun, 11/9/14 Monroe Half Marathon Friendship Relay and 5K 13.1MR, 5MR/W Monroe [email protected] monroehalfmarathon.comSun, 11/9/14 The Burg Trail Run 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFR Laingsburg (517) 285-6487 www.leaf4Kids.comTue, 11/11/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.com

Tue, 11/11/14 PR Fitness Group Run 20MR, 10MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comWed, 11/12/14 Hansons Group Run - Wednesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comThu, 11/13/14 Hansons Group Run - Thursdays Royal Oak (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.com

Thu, 11/13/14 PR Fitness Group Run 6MR, 5MR, 4MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comFri, 11/14/14 NCAA Division I Cross Country Regionals - Great Lakes 10KR, 6KR Madison, WI (419) 530-4925 http://ncaasports.comSat, 11/15/14 Befit Festival 10K Fun Run 10KR Royal Oak tralriz#comcast.net www.befitfestival.com

Sat, 11/15/14 Dirty Duel 6KR, 3.1MR Grand Rapids [email protected] dirtyduel.comSat, 11/15/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/Sat, 11/15/14 NCAA Division III Cross Country Regionals - Great Lakes 8KR, 6KR Mason, OH (440) 775-8525 ncaasports.com

Sat, 11/15/14 Rick’s Run 4 Kids 5KR Ann Arbor [email protected] aarecedricksrun.weebly.comSat, 11/15/14 Schrauger Memorial 5K 5KR/W, 1MFR Lake Orion (248) 505-3701 active.comSat, 11/15/14 Turkey Trot 5K Run / Walk 5KR/W, kids run Sault Ste Marie, MI (616) 403-3071 lssulakers.com/sports/c-xc/

Sun, 11/16/14 Conquer the Summit Indoor Triathlon 20min S/B/R Canton (734) 394-5467 [email protected], 11/16/14 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis 5KR/W, kids run Portage (248) 530-5024 jinglebellrunportage.kintera.orgSun, 11/16/14 Kona Chocolate Run 10KR, 5KR/W,1MR Plymouth (248) 345-6168 konachocolaterun.com

Tue, 11/18/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comTue, 11/18/14 PR Fitness Group Run 20MR, 10MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comTue, 11/18/14 Wayne County Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk 8KR/W Westland (734) 261-1990 parks.waynecounty.com

Wed, 11/19/14 Hansons Group Run - Wednesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comThu, 11/20/14 Hansons Group Run - Thursdays Royal Oak (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.com


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Thu, 11/20/14 PR Fitness Group Run 6MR, 5MR, 4MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comFri, 11/21/14 Silver Bells in the City Fun Run 3MR Lansing (517) 349-3803 silverbellsinthecity.org/events.htmlFri, 11/21/14 Yule Run, I’ll Walk 5K 5KR/W Grand Rapids (616) 233-3560 yulerun5k.com

Sat, 11/22/14 Alma Turkey Trot 5KR/W Alma (989) 620-1031 facebook.com/almaturkeytrotSat, 11/22/14 Blitzen the Dotte 10KR, 5KR/W, kids run Wyandotte (734) 284-5560 everalracemgt.comSat, 11/22/14 Grand Blanc Chocolate 5K 5KR/W Grand Blanc (810) 238-5981 werunthistown.com

Sat, 11/22/14 Grand Valley Turkey Trot 5K 5KR Allendale (248) 921-2433 facebook.com/GrandValleyTurkeyTrotSat, 11/22/14 Holiday Hoof 3.5MR, 2MW Ferndale (248) 591-7034 downtownferndale.comSat,Sat, 11/22/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/

Sat, 11/22/14 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships 10KR, 6KR Terre Haute, IN (812) 237-4040 ncaasports.comSat, 11/22/14 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Cross Country Championships 8KR, 6KR Evansville, IN ncaasports.comSat, 11/22/14 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships 8KR, 6KR Mason, OH (920) 582-7585 ncaasports.com

Sat, 11/22/14 Pat Kellerman Memorial Turkey Trot 5KR/W Bad Axe (989) 551-8273 [email protected], 11/22/14 WMU Turkey Trot 5KR/W Kalamazoo (269) 387-3765 active.comMon, 11/24/14 Grosse Pointe War Memorial Clinic, Women’s Running 101 Grosse Pointe (313) 882-1325 hansons-running.com

Tue, 11/25/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comTue, 11/25/14 PR Fitness Group Run 20MR, 10MR, 3MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comWed, 11/26/14 Hansons Group Run - Wednesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.com

Thu, 11/27/14 Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5KR/W Ann Arbor (248) 446-1315 goodboyevents.comThu, 11/27/14 Chemical Bank/ Niles/Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFR Niles (269) 683-1552 nb-ymca.orgThu, 11/27/14 Dorks Brothers Turkey Trot 5KR Alpena (989) 354-7314 thunderbaytrails.org

Thu, 11/27/14 5/3 Bank Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR/W Detroit (313) 247-4149 detroitturkeytrot.orgThu, 11/27/14 Gazelle Sports Gobble Wobble 4.1MR/W, 1MFR/W East Grand Rapids (616) 940-9888 gazellesports.comThu, 11/27/14 Gobbler Gallop Trail Run 5KR/W, 1MR Saginaw (989) 513-5195 [email protected]

Thu, 11/27/14 Greg Wirgau’s Run for Fun 5KR/W Chesaning [email protected], 11/27/14 KAR Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Prediction Run 5KR Portage (269) 929-4954 karturkeytrot.wordpress.comThu, 11/27/14 Kiwanis Turkey Trot 5KR,1MR Boyne City (231) 582-3416 boynechamber.com

Thu, 11/27/14 Lakeview Turkey Trot 5KR/W Lakeview (616) 824-9100 [email protected], 11/27/14 Lansing Turkey Trot 5KR Lansing (517) 702-0226 runningfoundation.comThu, 11/27/14 Raisin Valley Turkey Trot Fun Run 5KR Adrian (517) 423-3676 active.com

Thu, 11/27/14 Smoke the Turkey 5K 5KR Sylvania, OH (419) 841-5597 eliteendeavors.comThu, 11/27/14 The ANTI-Turkey Trot Life Time Fitness 10MR, 10KR, 5KR/W Shelby Twp. (586) 532-1300, shelbyrunclub.weebly.comThu, 11/27/14 Turkey Trail Trot - 2 day event 10KR, 4MR, 2.5MW Shelby Twp. (248) 872-521 move-itfitnessllc.com/turkey-trail-trot/

Thu, 11/27/14 Turkey Trot for a Cause 5KR/W, kids run Canton (734) 394-5360 csc.canton-mi.orgThu, 11/27/14 Up North Media’s Traverse City Turkey Trot for Charities 5MR, 5KR/W, kids run Traverse City (231) 645-8184 trot.evugo.comFri, 11/28/14 5K Glow Run/Walk 5KR/W Owosso [email protected] runningfoundation.com

Fri, 11/28/14 Fantasy 5K 5KR Howell (517) 546-3020 howellfantasy5k.comFri, 11/28/14 Turkey Trail Trot - 2 day event 4MR Shelby Twp. (248) 872-5215 move-itfitnessllc.com/turkey-trail-trot/Sat, 11/29/14 Gobbler Gallop 4MR/W, 1MR Milford (248) 320-8167 gobblergallop.com

Sat, 11/29/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/Sat, 11/29/14 Run for Shelter 5K Run/Walk 5KR/W Monroe (734) 242-6866 http://tiny.cc/2ij0mxSat, 11/29/14 Toy Town Toy Trot 5K 5KR/W Cadillac (231) 878-6544 toytowncadillac.com/

Sat, 11/29/14 Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk 5KR/W Holland (616) 399-9086 girlfriendsfitclub.comSat, 11/29/14 Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run/Walk 5KR/W Kent City (616) 799-0500 michianatiming.comSun, 11/30/14 Hansons Group Run training Lake Orion (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.com

Tue, 12/2/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comTue, 12/2/14 PR Fitness Group Run 6-8MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comThu, 12/4/14 Hansons Group Run - Thursdays Royal Oak (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.com

Thu, 12/4/14 PR Fitness Group Run 4-7MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comThu, 12/4/14 Run Through the Lights 5KR Kalamazoo (269) 342-5996 gazellesports.com/RTTLSat, 12/6/14 Allegan Ugly Sweater 5K 5KR/W Allegan alleganuglysweater.com

Sat, 12/6/14 Almont Reindeer Run Fundraiser 5KR/W Almont (810) 542-0118 runsignup.comSat, 12/6/14 Belleville Jingle Bell 5K Run and 1K Kids Run 5KR/W, kids run Belleville (734) 732-8857 [email protected], 12/6/14 ChoiceOne Bank St Nick Kick 5K/10K Run 10KR, 5KR/W Newaygo (231) 652-3068 newaygonaturally.comSat, 12/6/14 Dashing through the Snow 5KR/W, 1MR/W Fowlerville (810) 938-1315 fowlervillesports.com


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November / December 2014 Event CalendarSat, 12/6/14 December Chill Adventure Race 7 hr sprint: canoeing, MB, orienteering, trekkking, Location TBD (231) 233-4736 infiterrasports.comSat, 12/6/14 Detroit Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis 10KR, 5KR/W, kids run Detroit (248) 530-5024 jinglebellrundetroit.kintera.orgSat, 12/6/14 Dickens of a Run 5KR Mt Pleasant (989) 772-0323 facebook.com/Mt.Pleasant.Striders

Sat, 12/6/14 Egg Nog Jog Fun Riun Utica (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.comSat, 12/6/14 Farmland 5K European Style XC Challenge 5KR Traverse City (231) 631-2195 xcchallengetcruns.comSat, 12/6/14 Ionia Jingle Bell 5K 5KR/W Ionia (517) 702-0226 runningfoundation.com

Sat, 12/6/14 Jingle Bell Fun Run / Walk 10KR, 5KR, 2KW Port Huron (810) 987-6400 bluewaterymca.com/runs/Sat, 12/6/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/Sat, 12/6/14 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships 10KR, 6KR Louisville, KY (812) 237-4040 ncaasports.com

Sat, 12/6/14 Reese Winter Road Race Series 10KR, 5KR/W Reese (989) 529-7904 race-mrm.comSat, 12/6/14 Scrooge Scramble 5KR/W Lansing (517) 899-5211 iloveoldtown.orgSat, 12/6/14 Snap Fitness Jingle Bell Fun Run 5KR/W Ionia (517) 743-1495 ionia5k.com

Sat, 12/6/14 Tortoise and Hare Winter Challenge various 2K loops Ann Arbor (734) 623-9640 tortoiseandhare.comSat, 12/6/14 YMCA Santa Run 5KR/W, 1MW Flint (810) 232-9622 flintymca.orgSun, 12/7/14 Anchor Bay Jingle Bell Run 5KR, 1MFW New Baltimore (586) 648-2525 www.jinglebellrun.com

Tue, 12/9/14 Ann Arbor Track Club Winter Mini Track Meet Ann Arbor (734) 769-9105 aatrackclub.org/racesTue, 12/9/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comTue, 12/9/14 PR Fitness Group Run 6-8MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com

Thu, 12/11/14 Hansons Group Run - Thursdays Royal Oak (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.comFri, 12/12/14 Snow Dash 5KR/W Marshall (269) 339-9664 runcalhoun.orgSat, 12/13/14 Alma Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk 5KR/W, kids run Alma (989) 463-8336 [email protected]

Sat, 12/13/14 Candy Cane Run 6MR, 3MR, 1.5 MR Grand Rapids (616) 240-6756 grandrapidsrunningclub.orgSat, 12/13/14 Dork Brothers Ugly Christmas Sweater Run 5KR Alpena (989) 354-7314 thunderbaytrails.orgSat, 12/13/14 Holiday Hustle 5KR, 1MR Dexter (734) 929-9027 runholiday5k.com

Sat, 12/13/14 Jingle Belle Women’s 5K 5KR/W Lansing (517) 321-4014 www.dtdl.orgSat, 12/13/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/Sat, 12/13/14 Paw Paw Santa Run 5KR/W, 1MW Paw Paw (269) 624-4841 santarun.pawpawmi.us

Sat, 12/13/14 Run Like The Dickens and Tiny Tim Trot 10KR, 5KR/W, Tiny Tim Trot Holly (248) 328-3200 runlikethedickens.comSat, 12/13/14 Ugly Sweater 5K 5KR/W Auburn (989-450-5533 [email protected], 12/13/14 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships 10KR, 6KR Bethlehem,PA (502) 320-2264 usatf.org

Sat, 12/13/14 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships 5KR, 3KR Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 918-2305 usatf.orgSun, 12/14/14 Santa Hustle Half Marathon & 5K Cedar Point 13.1MR, 5KR Sandusky, OH (847) 829-4536 santahustle.com/cedar-point/Sun, 12/14/14 Shelby Township Jingle Bell Run 5KR/W Shelby Twp. (586) 484-5523 jinglebell5krun.com

Tue, 12/16/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comTue, 12/16/14 PR Fitness Group Run 6-8MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.comThu, 12/18/14 Hansons Group Run - Thursdays Royal Oak (248) 616-9665 hansons-running.com

Sat, 12/20/14 B A R C Christmas 5K 5KR/W Bay City (989) 832-2267 barc-mi.comSat, 12/20/14 HUFF 50K Trail Run 50 KR, 50K Relay, 10MR Albion, IN (260) 436-4824 www.huff50k.comSat, 12/20/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/

Sun, 12/21/14 Dashing through the Snow 5KR/W Saginaw (989) 205-5838 tritofinish.comSun, 12/21/14 Jingle Bell Run 5KR/W Traverse City 231.941.8118 tctcjinglebellrun.comSun, 12/21/14 Whoville 5K Run & Walk 5KR/W, kids run Grand Rapids [email protected] whoville5k.com

Tue, 12/23/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comFri, 12/26/14 Harold Webster Boxing Day 10 Mile Run 10MR Hamilton, ON (905) 971-6040 boxingdayrun.caSat, 12/27/14 Livonia Park Run 5KR Livonia (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia/

Sun, 12/28/14 Hansons Group Run training Lake Orion (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.comSun, 12/28/14 Rock the Clock Run 5MR, 5KR/W Plymouth [email protected] rocktheclockrun.comTue, 12/30/14 Hansons Group Run - Tuesdays Grosse Pointe (248) 693-9900 hansons-running.com

Wed, 12/31/14 Eve on the Ave 5K Run/Walk 5KR/W Jackson (517) 945-8579 stjohnsunited.orgWed, 12/31/14 Fifth Third New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run/Walk 5KR/W, 1MR/W Detroit (313) 886-5560 belleislefunrun.comWed, 12/31/14 Midland Resolution Run 5KR/W Midland (989) 205-3813 midlandresolutionrun.com

Wed, 12/31/14 New Year’s Eve 5K 5KR Lansing runningfoundation.comWed, 12/31/14 New Year’s Resolution Run 8KR, 5KR/W Flint (810) 659-6493 www.riverbendstriders.com

36

Here’s an issue I see both sides of, but, unlikemy fellow runners in the geezer age groups,I can’t get worked up about it. Even though

older runners have complained about it for years.

The issue is the lack of equal awards in older agegroups, or, worse, packing more years into the olderage groups.

An example of the first would be going five deepin younger age groups and three deep, or maybe evenone deep, in the older groups.

An example of the latter would be races that havefive-year age awards for the younger groups, then go to60-69 and 70-79, or, more egregiously, do somethinglike 55 and over or 60 and over.

Twenty years ago, a very good older age-grouprunner came to me after awards were given at one ofthe Motor City Striders races. The younger age groupshad gone three deep. But Ed Kozloff had only goneone deep in her age group and she was angry. Shewanted me to write about it.

If three men aged 40-44 got awards and only onewoman in her 55-59 age group did, wasn’t that dis-crimination?

Maybe not. There might have been 40 entrants inmen’s 40-44, which would mean that 8 percent gotawards. There were exactly two women ages 55-59 inthat race. Ed gave half of them awards. She had fin-ished last in her group and thought that she should behonored.

I understood it wasn’t her fault more womenhadn’t entered, but I didn’t work up much energy overher not getting something for finishing last.

There’s a runner in his 70s I see at all the up-north races. He’s something of a legend in the TraverseCity-Bellaire-Petoskey area, a true bulldog, a lover ofrunning and racing I’ve long admired.

His wife approached me after a Labor Day trailrun. She wanted my help in a campaign to end age-group discrimination. Local older runners had takenup the cause. They’d showed up at the Frankfort PortCity runs this summer to tell the race director theywould not enter his event because of a lack of equi-table awards.

I run races nearly every weekend. Often I am theonly one in my 65=69 age group. Sometimes I getscrewed by having to compete in 50 and over group-ings and have no chance for an award. But I don’t racefor awards these days. I’m much more concernedabout taking 28 or 29 minutes to get through a 5Kthese days than I am about not being rewarded for it.

Back when I was training 60 miles a week anddoing two track and two fartlek sessions each week,getting an award was a reward for having worked sohard to get into the top 8 or 10 percent. It was not a

reward, as it is most of the time these days, for justshowing up.

~~

“Remember when we were sitting in theback of a pick-up truck and I said I wasgoing to put on some trail races?” Jeff

Crumbaugh asked at registration in August in theaptly-named town of Paradise for his glorious Tahquatrail runs in the Upper Peninsula. Both the 25K and10K finish at the Upper Tahquamenon Falls, with the10K just an incredibly tough, incredibly beautiful sin-gle-track that starts at the Lower Falls.

I do remember sitting in the truck with Jeff. Hardto believe how fast the time goes. It was July 4, 1999,and we were heading out from the village of EagleHarbor at the tip of the Keewenaw Peninsula almostto U.S. 41, where we would be dropped off at a boul-der known as the Popeye Rock for a 10K run backinto town.

A few days earlier, Kathleen and I had rolled intoEagle Harbor. We had a reservation at the Shoreline

Motel on the beach in what I think is the prettiestharbor town in Michigan. The plan was to stay a fewdays there, then head to the Porcupine Mountains.

At the Eagle Harbor general store, our planschanged. There was a flyer in the window advertisingthe Fourth of July runs, a 5K and 10K, no entry fee re-quired. My wife and I were both race junkies. No waywe were leaving town as planned.

I called the motel where we were supposed to stayjust outside the Porkies, told them we had car troubleand needed to cancel our reservations. By way of con-solation, the manager said he would refund our downpayment. White lie — OK, plain old lie — accom-plished.

The Popeye runs were a blast. We were told toshow up in front of the volunteer fire station in townabout an hour before the start of the race. After run-ners had gathered, the director asked for a show ofhands. How many were doing the 5K? How many the10K?

Then he asked local residents who had volun-

Running with Tom HendersonBy Tom Henderson

© C. S

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Jeff Crumbaugh’s events bring runners to scenic trails, including this one, theGrand Island Trail Marathon.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2014 | michiganrunner.tv


37

teered their vehicles to drive us to the starting lines. Iended up sitting in the back of a pickup next to Jeff,whom I didn’t know. He told me he had come to theU.P. from Ann Arbor and was teaching in Hancock.He was planning, he said, to put on a three-day festi-val the next summer on his favorite trails in theKeewenaw. One of the races, in fact, would be in EagleHarbor, a hill climb to the top of Mt. Baldy from astarting point on the beach.

Sounds good, I said, already mentally makingplans to be there.

Jeff won the 10K, which had maybe 25 runners,and I finished second. I was 10 days shy of turning 51and it was the last time I broke 39 minutes in a 10K.My wife reminds me it was a downhill course. Indeed,better than flat and fast, and I’m still proud I ran inthe 38s at an advanced age.

The Trail Festival became an annual summerhighlight, so tough and unrelenting that I always re-pressed the pain and suffering and just rememberedthe views. Saturday morning began with a tough 10Kin McLain State Park; that night was the 3.8-mile hillclimb to the top of Mt. Baldy, which required a 3.8-mile cool down to get back into town; Sunday morn-ing was a 25K of unrelenting ups, downs and viewsthat alternated between deep forests and pasturesfilled with wildflowers.

I was selling stories once in a while to Runner’sWorld magazine then. One was a profile of Americanmiler and Eastern Michigan University All-American

Paul McMullen. Another was a first-person account ofspending my winters running in the southern high-lands of Guatemala, on mountain roads along LakeAtitlan through a series of Mayan villages.

In 2002 I ran into Runner’s World editor AmbyBurfoot in Traverse City. He was in town to promote abook and speak at the kickoff of a Bayshore Marathontraining program. I told him he needed to come back toMichigan in July and run the Trail Festival. You won’t be-lieve how cool and tough it is, I told him.

His summer was already booked, he said. Hey,why don’t you do feature on the race? Fantastic. I ranthe races that summer. Or, rather, survived them.Carter Sherline shot them. And Runner’s World gavethe festival a big spread in its July 2003 issue.

The next spring, I called to get my usual reserva-tions at the Shoreline. They’d been booked, alas, sincemy story ran. I spent hours on the phone calling everymotel I could find. They were all booked. Finally I gotwhat must have been the last room in the U.P.

Over the 2004 race weekend, trail addicts fromaround North America wandered the Keweenaw, myarticle in the their hands as they hit the cool spots andgreat restaurants I recommended.

The highlight for me that year was finishing thelast impossibly long, steep uphill to the top of Mt.Baldy and catching my breath as the out-of-state visi-tors stared in awe at Lake Superior, Isle Royale visibleat the top of the horizon.

“How are they getting us back?” one womanasked me.

“Back?”

“Yeah, back to the start? How are we gettingthere?”

Well, since we’d come up on a single track, clearlythere weren’t any buses coming for us.

So, fast forward, and there Jeff and I were greet-ing each other warmly.

Over the years, Jeff, now a schoolteacher in Wis-consin, has expanded far beyond his original idea of aweekend of races in the Keewenaw. He puts on snow-shoe races in Wisconsin and the U.P., and his summerschedule has grown to include the Grand Island trailmarathon and half-marathon in Munising, theTahqua runs, the Waugoshance marathon and halfmarathon in the northern Lower Peninsula, and a 5K,half-marathon and marathon in the Porcupines.

The Porkies event has been held for two years. Iplanned to do it this year but Kathleen had knee-re-placement surgery two weeks before the races and itseemed just a bit self-indulgent to leave her prone athome while I went off to the U.P. for a race.

Next year.

- MR -

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38


FARMINGTON HILLS (8/16/14) — After finish-ing runner-up to training partner Julius Kiptoo lastyear, Geoffrey Kiprotich turned the tables to capturethe Run for the Hills 10K at Shiawassee Park. Therace benefits Special Olympics-Michigan.

Kiprotich, 35, and Kiptoo, 36, battled for aboutsix miles of the 6.2-mile distance. “We ran together,”Kiprotich said. “I tried to pick it up (at the end).”

As they sprinted down the final hill and enteredthe park, Kiprotich broke the race open.

“ It was tough with thehills,” said Kiptoo. “AndI was tired. I knew hewas trying to go at theend. But at that point Ididn’t mind.”

Kiprotich finished in31:32, Kiptoo 31:39.The two Kenyans,who now live in Toledo,Ohio, used the race as anhors d’oeuvre to preparefor the Crim 10-MileAug. 23. “In Toledo, wedon’t have hills,” Kiptoosaid.

Jason Bruscha of Ster-

ling Heights finished third in 33:43. Next was AndrewPorinsky of Dexter in 33:53.

Eric Green, 46, of Pontiac continued his winningstreak among masters runners. He has finished firstamong men over 40 here every year since the racebegan in 2010. (Green was also the overall champin 2010.) He just missed his 2011 masters course record of 34:05, timing 34:09 this year.

For the women, Denisa Costescu, 38, of Com-merce won her first race in more than a year afterbeing sidelined with an ankle injury. “I just startedrunning again three months ago” she said. “I sloweddown a little during the second half of the race. ButI’m happy I can run with no pain.”

Costescu, who finished in 38:02, was followedby Emily Barrish of Farmington Hills (40:56), JillPeterson of Royal Oak (42:08) and Alissa Lurie ofAnn Arbor (42:33). Mary Dorazio, 46, of WhitmoreLake was fifth overall and the top masters woman(42:39).

Costescu’s husband Ovidiu Olteanu, who re-cently celebrated his 44th birthday, ran awaywith the men’s 5K, posting the fastest masters 5K inrace history with a 16:43.

“It’s a beautiful race,” Olteanu said. “Lots ofturns, ups and downs. It’s a scenic course. Greatweather. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Olteanu, who like his wife is originally from Ro-mania, led the race from the gun. “I kind of ran by my-self, setting a fast pace,” he said. “But I didn’t push itextremely. So I think I did a great workout today.”

Rod Corby, 37, of Rochester finished second in17:09. Kerry Barnett, 54, of Keego Harbor placedthird in 17:40. With Olteanu receiving the overallprize, Barnett was named the male masters champ.

For the 5K women, Wyandotte Roosevelt HighSchool sophomore Robyn Loselle, 15, achieved herfirst victory in a road race, timing 19:23. “It’s OK,not my best time,” she said. Loselle’s PR is 18:52.

Next came Amy Corby, 38, of Rochester(20:19) and Charlotte Beaudoin of Northville(22:16). Donna Olson, 64, of Southgate won thewomen’s masters title in 22:58.

The 5K runners-up, Rod and Amy Corby. are amarried couple. “There’s always room for improve-ment, but we did well,” Rod said.

Ed Anderson served as race director. “You haveno idea how much passion and energy he spends toput this race on,” said Olteanu of Anderson.

For complete race results, go to http://farming-tonrunforthehills.com.

- MR -

Run for the Hills, Farmington Hills

Kiprotiuch Nips Kiptoo, Cops Run for HillsBy Charles Douglas McEwen

© Carter S

herline

/ Frog

Prin

ce Studios

Runners head up a hill at the start of the Run for the Hills in Farmington Hills.

Aaron Vickersraces a banditduck.

© Carter S

herline

/ Frog

Prin

ce Studios

michigan runner, november / december 2014

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