Michigan Runner September/ October 2009 by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc.

In This Issue September / October 2009

Vol. 31, No. 4

Calendar September - December 2009

p. 45

Features & Departments Editor’s Notes: Half a Shell By Scott Sullivan Michigan Runner Race Series 2009 Megan Goethals: High School Runner of the Year, 2008 - 2009 By Jeff Hollobaugh ‘Marathon’ Don: The Adventure Continues By Scott Sullivan GR Marathon Offers New Course, Same Friendly Ways By Scott Sullivan Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard Book Review: Hollobaugh’s Debut Novel is Engaging Read By Ron Marinucci 2009 Fall Shoe Review By Cregg Weinmann GLSP Television Network 2009 Events Beyond the Chip: Purposeful Training over Natural Terrain By Herb Lindsay Drayton’s Michigan Marathon Record: 40 Years and Counting By Jim Carter Convenient Recovery: It’s In Your Kitchen By Sheryl Lozicki Nick Cordes, Leigh Daniels Marry Before a National TV Audience Detroit Marathon Relay is Unforgettable By Michael Heberling Running Home By Anthony Targan Morgan Uceny is Back on Track By Anthony Targan Running with Tom Henderson

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At the Races Duo Misses Doubles at Catch Your Breath By Bill Kahn Muturi, Webster Win Heart of Hills By Charles Douglas McEwen Diemer Donuts, Dinero Go to Fast Few By Daniel G. Kelsey Inch Inches in at Clark Lake Tri By Katie Kelly-Noble Grand Island Marathon, 10K are Grand Indeed By Katie Kelly-Noble Record 1,539 Souls Sizle at Solstice Run By Charles Douglas McEwen Record Field Dares Sleepy Hollow Trails By Charles Douglas McEwen Tooth, Fang and Claw Swamp Run Ends in Bash By Katie Kelly-Noble Hot Times at Cooley 5K By Katie Kelly-Noble Flirt with Dirt Trails are Test By Ron Marinucci Hensley Returns for 2,000 Race By Bill Kahn Youth Served at Unique Steve’s Run By Daniel G. Kelsey K-zoo Klassic Adds Features, Grows 23 Percent By Bonnie Sexton Fecht, Pomaranski Cop Volkslaufe Crowns By Charles Douglas McEwen Michigan Boys are Midwest Meet Champs By Grant Lofdahl IAAF World Youth Championships, Sudtriot, Italy World Youth Trials, USA Youth Championships, Ypsilanti, MI Triceratops Tri Runs in Prehistoric Heat By Charles Douglas McEwen Rau, Sophiea Soar at Pterodactyl Tri By Charles Douglas McEwen

Don Kern photo by Scott Sullivan. 2

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Editor’s Notes Half a Shell By Scott Sullivan

ho’d have thought water would quell a wicked witch? L. Frank Baum, apparently. “The Wizard of Oz” author, gazing from his summer home on Lake Michigan, saw H2O as a killer/savior. As a child I wondered how a witch, who’d presumably lived for centuries, had avoided water till Dorothy splashed her from a bucket in her own castle. Scott Sullivan For Baum, creator of munchkins and flying monkeys, plausibility was no problem. Nor has it been for millions who love his book and the movie based on it. Michigan summers heat all our imaginations. We suspend disbelief to embrace what sense says can never happen. Derangements range A to N, and — as Baum noted — O to Z. I thought about water’s dual nature and plausibility while running when it was 100 degrees outside. In such heat there is danger of dehydration, but you can also die drinking too much water. I could cool off in lakes or drown in them. You in water or water in you; too much and you’re screwed.

Rain fell Friday night before Father’s Day. Mother Earth turned green nursing living things. But the rain, like some people talking, didn’t know when to stop. Streams overflowed, yards flooded, culverts clogged and roads collapsed into canyons. I took my daughter Flannery, 9, to Lake Michigan, stopping en route to shoot washout pictures. I was mesmerized by the calamity; she was more interested in a clam she found. “Dad, a shell!” How much will they have shell out, I was wondering, to fix this? (“They” — county, state, FEMA ... — being as variable as the bill. You can’t sue God for “acts of God” since no lawyers are in heaven.) Flannery washed the sand off the shell and gave it to me. “Happy Father’s Day! Wait ...” She snapped it at the hinge and gave me the dull half. “That way we each have a share,” she said. A marina owner called me at my newspaper job the next day. “You should see the plaque they put by my lighthouse.” “They?” “Read it. It’s nonsense. They’re putting up plaques like that all over the world,” he said. After work I ran. Past the steaming greens and the rutted roadsides. Along the shores where the water, passive in this phase, lapped and distributed skipping stones, shells and feathers. I ran the dune crests from whence Baum must have peered long ago, over cities buried in sand and markers, none of them making sense, to remember. Over chasms and into the spell of a child, I ran. MR

Michigan Runner Race Series 2009 Al Kayner’s St. Patrick’s Day Races 8K, Bay City - March 22 Meteor 10 K, Dearborn Heights - April 4 Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K, Grand Rapids - May 9 Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Run 6 Mile, Mackinaw City - May 23 Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K, Cutlerville - June 13 Alpenfest Run 12K, Gaylord, - July 18 Steve’s Run 10K, Dowagiac - July 25 Crim Festival of Races 10 Mile, Flint - August 22

Kensington Challenge 15K, Milford - September 19 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon, Detroit - October 18 Grand Rapids Half Marathon, Grand Rapids - October 18 4

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Megan Goethals:

High School Runner of the Year 2008 - 2009 By Jeff Hollobaugh

fter compiling the finest year ever for a Michigan high school girl, what can Megan Goethals do for an encore? Is the Rochester High runner capable of making just as big of an improvement for her senior year?

Her coach, Larry Adams, doesn’t mince words. “No,” he says abruptly, but it’s not that he doesn’t believe in his pupil’s abilities. Adams explains that it’s all about resisting the temptation to be greedy. “I don’t want to overtrain her by bumping her mileage up. I want her moving on to college and the next level fresh. She’ll still have success. “We’d like to see her get under 17:00 for

cross country and hopefully finish with a better placing at Foot Locker. As a coach, I’d be failing her if I had her push her mileage up to 60-65 a week. “I don’t want her to move on from high school and be tired of running. I like where she is mileage-wise. We want to keep her fresh.” “I trust him on this,” says Goethals (pronounced “go-thalls”). “It makes a lot of sense. He has my best interests at heart.” She had just returned from a stint at the Wolverine Running Camp, where she got a welcome chance to run with others who are at her speed. “A lot of the time I train alone,” she explains. Goethals started this summer with a twoweek break (“She understands that rest is a part of training,” her coach says). Then she eased back into her routine at 35 miles per week, gradually stretching it to 45 and then 55 by the end of the summer. Training-wise, she will focus more on speed endurance this year. Says Adams, “You can’t repeat what happened last year. Our goal is just for her to grow.”

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Right now, the question of where Goethals will move on to is still open. She is being actively recruited by some of the nation’s top distance-running programs. It’s likely that we’ll hear of her decision in February, the start of the signing period for NCAA schools. Once she does sign, she’s hoping to study sports nutrition. A 3.55 student, she will be ready for college classes. Adams recounts Goethals’ history. It seemed he always knew she was good. She and her brother showed up at summer running camps Adams worked at before they were even in middle school.

Megan Goethals placed third at Footlocker Nationals. 6

He watched her run regularly in seventh and eighth grades. In her freshman year, she played basketball, tried a few cross country races, and ended up running near the front end of a very fine distance team.

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

In her first state cross country meet, Goethals placed 40th in 19:00.1. Her teammate and friend, Tiffany Abrahamian, ended up the state 3200-meter champ later that year. “Tiffany had success,” says Adams. “Megan learned from her what it takes to go to that next level.” That year, Goethals developed well as a miler, eventually placing ninth in the state meet 1600 meters with a PR 5:08.51. Adams says his eyes were opened when he entered her in the Oakland County Championships in the 3200. “She was a frosh running it for the first time, and she broke 11 minutes. I thought, ‘Oh … hey … she can do something in this.’” As a sophomore, Goethals kept improving. In cross country, she placed 23rd in the state finals, clocking 18:32.4. In track, she ran a 10:59.0 for 3200 at the West Bloomfield Invitational; later, in the state finals, she placed fourth in the 1600 (5:00.05) and sixth in the 3200 (11:01.71). Then she broke 5:00 for the mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. More than enough to make any parent or coach proud, but nothing that snagged big headlines.

ver the summer of 2008, though, something changed. Says Adams, “A year of maturity, real dedication to practice and work ethic. And she had goals for herself.”

Goethals came back as an all-conquering junior. “I did not expect it at all,” she remembers. “It was exciting. In cross country, I was just hoping to get near 18:00.” She ran undefeated through the cross country season, capturing the D1 state title in 17:10.1, the fastest ever recorded on the course at Michigan International Speedway. “My favorite race of the year was the Foot Locker Midwest Regional,” she says.

Photo right: Megan Goethals wins Footlocker Midwest Regionals.

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Then, at Footlocker Nationals, she placed third in 17:30. “After that, I wasn’t sure how track would go.” In track, Goethals honed a devastating finishing kick. “In middle school, I would kick the last 100 meters,” she remembers. “Now we train to kick longer, and in workouts, we always finish with the fast stuff, so that I’ve learned when I’m tired to go faster.” She focused on the 1600 at the Oakland County Championships and hit 4:47.04. Only two girls in Michigan history -- Laura Matson (4:39.4) and Geena Gall (4:45.7) – have gone faster. At the state finals, Goethals anchored an eighth-place 3200 relay, then came back and won the distance double in 4:51.20 and 10:37.50. Not done yet, Goethals traveled to North Carolina for the Nike Outdoor Nationals. There she put together the best eight laps ever by a Michigan prep, a 10:20.25 state record (converts to a 10:16.66 for the now morefamiliar 3200). That placed her second in the nation. She came back a day later to run 4:51.33 for the mile, which gave her another runner-up honor.

“I was happy with the two-mile,” she says. “I felt so good when I finished. I had a hard time standing up. It came down to a kick the last 100 meters, and my legs were like noodles. The heat wasn’t a problem, but the humidity …” To run so fast as a junior raises the possibility that Goethals may be among the select few high school girls capable of breaking the 10-minute barrier. “It’s definitely in the back of my head,” she says. She admits the mile at nationals was her most disappointing race of the year. She finished second again to Texan Chelsey Sveinsson. “I was unhappy with how far back I was, 11 seconds. I need to run stronger at the beginning, and harder throughout the race.” A big part of Goethals’ preparation for her junior year involved her learning patience and sticking with the plan, both in training and competition. “We really worked on the back half of each race,” says Adams. “In cross country and track it was the same thing. We worked on her finish. We know we don’t have the quarter-mile speed of Becca Addison (the 800-meter state champ from Grand Haven).” Teaching Goethals patience was a challenge at times. Adams says part of his job has

Photo by Scott Sullivan

“It’s a nerve-wracking race, because only the top ten go to nationals. I was running in the chase pack, so when I ended up winning, I was so excited.”

Megan Goethals captured the D1 state title in 17:10.1, the fastest ever recorded on the course at Michigan International Speedway. been to hold her back. “All good distance runners are like that. They want to do all they can do. She’s that way; she wants to push all the time. “I’ve learned I’ve had to adjust the way I talk to her. If I say, ‘We’ll do six to eight 400s,’ she’ll say, ‘Can I do eight?’ So now I say seven.” Through all the success, Goethals has maintained her perspective. “They’ve made a big deal of this at school,” says Adams, “but she doesn’t flaunt it. She’s very humble. I’d say she’s appreciative of the gifts she’s gotten.” For Goethals, it’s all about her passion for the sport. “I love racing. I’ve always been a pretty competitive person. I love training. “It’s hard sometimes. I don’t get to hang out as much as other teenagers. I always have to get up in the morning and run. “But I love that. I guess it’s taught me time management.” Writer Jeff Hollobaugh produces the annual Michigan High School Track Yearbook, operates the www.michtrack.org Web site and is author of the new novel “Fire, Barbed Wire and Tacks” (see review elsewhere in this issue), available now in bookstores and at www.amazon.com. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

‘Marathon’ Don: The Adventure Continues ... “I don’t run fast times, but I have great times.” By Scott Sullivan

adventures,” he says. “I don’t run fast times, but I have great times.

...

“How I can afford this? I can’t afford not to,” says Kern, whose business card reads “computer guy, writer, adventurer and other cool stuff.”

When Grand Rapids Marathon founder Don Kern began chronicling his midlife crisis, he ended each update “and the adventure continues ...”

“Money?” he asks. “I can always find ways to make some. I’m not extravagant.

We pick up his crisis-turned-celebration with three dots too.

Kern’s fever and fervor have not abated. His tally, as of summer 2009, had burgeoned to 180 marathons, including: • Three times on all seven continents. • Pauses to pose naked at North and South poles. • Climbing to high points in 32 states and two continents. (No other planets, yet.)

Kern’s list of 100 goals is now 222 and growing. Among those crossed off: • Bungee jumping. Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

It has been seven years — the same span as in locust infestations — since we last checked in. In 2002, Kern had caught running fever at age 38, was now 45 and had finished 63 marathons on seven continents and two planets, counting Michigan’s Martian Marathon.

“I choose to spend what I make doing crazy stuff.”

• Learn how to brew beer. • Earn a cool nickname. (“Marathon Don,” reminiscent of the Hash House Harriers’ cry, “On on!”) • Organize a marathon. On Halloween eve seven years ago, Kern and friends met at the Grand Rapids Hair of the Frog microbrewery to discuss what they liked in a marathon.

Don Kern runs the Carrollton Festival of Races marathon on July 26, 2009.

How many people this nuts: • Execute logistics to twice run marathons on all seven continents within 35 days (falling just shy of world records both times)? • Measure race courses throughout Michigan, writing in his blog how repairing a bike tire during one effort made him privy to four separate underground-sprinkler showers?

The question’s not “Why?” for him, just “Why not?” Kern ran two slow miles on a track with his daughter in 1995, “proved I could do it” and took the next logical step: sign up for marathons. “I’d heard a motivational speaker say you should keep a list of 100 goals,” Kern remembers. “I’d written down running a marathon. There was not any reason not to.

They continued to hash out ideas privately. Kern launched a “Birth of a Marathon” series in Michigan Runner magazine to chronicle the process and to solicit still more ideas. “It sounded crazy then,” he says. “But we were — and are — serious about putting on a great, runner-driven marathon. We believed it was going to happen.”

• Write and read “Marathon Minutes” for a radio station, spinning them into a book to debut at this year’s GR Marathon ... all for a sport he’s not very good at?

“If you commit yourself, your mind figures out a way.”

The Grand Rapids Marathon debuted on Halloween Day 2004 on the heels of a windstorm that blew down portajohns and launched the medical tent from its pinnings into a lake. There were 930 runners (many costumed), celebrity pace teams and more odd twists.

“I’m a mid- to back-packer at best,” Kern says.

Kern didn’t stop with one, nor has he with 180. “Running marathons is a cool way to make friends, check off goals and frame

Kern, who’d kept entrants updated leading up to the race by e-mail, greeted each at the finish with hugs and high-fives, the start

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

of a race tradition. “Our staff is runners who understand runners,” says Kern. “26.2 miles is a daunting distance.

GR Marathon Offers New Course, Same Friendly Ways

“We know what it’s like out there. We encourage runners and join them celebrating at the end.” The first year’s success spawned growth that last year saw 1,409 finish the marathon and 1,168 the half-marathon. In 2007 Metro Health became title sponsor.

“It also helped me cross a goal off my list,” he says. Still not crossed off is setting a world record for running marathons on all seven continents in the fewest days. Kern did so in 35 days in February and March 2007, only to learn Canadian Richard Takata had just done the same feat in 31 days. “I was upset for about five minutes,” he says. “Then my brain went to work trying to figure a way to beat him.” Nine months later, Kern — having finished marathons on six continents in 21 days — waited on a boat to Antarctica, where he planned to complete the seventh. A storm kept him waiting eight days. Again no record. “Why sweat what isn’t when so many great things are?” he asks philosophically. “The record’s still open for me,” he says. Seldom ruffled, Kern shows few ridges. Most things amuse him, as if they were happening through a lens that allows him to study them clinically yet with empathy. After all these races, he still finds it cool that he gets a t-shirt. He has seen the world yet finds small things marvels. “Don hasn’t lost the boy in him,” friend Francine Robinson says. “He makes things up as he goes along, but means it when he commits himself. He’s low-key but curious and excited about what comes next.” Kern hopes his book “Marathon Minute” lifts people. “That’s what I’m trying to do ... Wait, change that. It sounds too hokey. “Running marathons shows us that we can do things we set out to do,” Kern continues. “That good things happen if you believe in them. “I get over-optimistic and smacked around sometimes. But I like being that way,” he says

...

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Kern still strives to keep the event on a human scale. “I sung the American national anthem before the race one year, and the Canadian anthem last year,” he says, “because runners from there talked me into it.

The 2009 Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon course will feature pace teams, river and lake views, and full fall foliage. By Scott Sullivan

“Spectators had good access to those sections; there are always tradeoffs.

“It will make the experience better for runners. That’s the key,” he said.

“We think runners will appreciate both changes,” race founder Don Kern said.

Last year’s race ranked among the top 10 U.S. and Canadian marathons for percentage of finishers whose times qualified them for the Boston Marathon. “The new course should be just as fast — and even more fun,” Kern said.

he sixth annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Sunday, Oct. 18, will feature a new course adding four early miles downtown and subtracting three miles on its far end near sewage plants.

Both the marathon and half-marathon will start and end near the David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Dr., as in past years. But instead of heading southwest towards Millennium Park trails, runners will first go south to Fulton Street, west to Seward Avenue, then north to Leonard Street, showing off what Kern calls “a pretty stretch” of the old downtown that includes the historic Sixth Street bridge.

He expects at least 4,000 entrants this year, consistent with GRM’s average 20-percent per year growth rate. Fun includes a half-marathon, day-before kids “marathon” (which last year, its second, drew close to 1,000 children), expo and more, all with the theme, “See You at the Finish!”

Runners will head southwest towards the trails, including a few that are new, thereafter. Look for river and lake views, full fall foliage and air free of effluence.

The race Web site, www.grandrapidsmarathon.com, offers more information. Equally telling are runner comments about their Grand Rapids experience on the independent Marathon Guide Web site, www.marathonguide.com/races/ racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2076091018.

“We’ll lose flat, windy miles on the old course’s western edge,” Kern said.

“We want runners to have the times of their lives,” Kern said. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard tion was a lot about numbers and bike handling, things I was comfortable with. After that first certification, word spread and soon others asked me to measure their courses. Since that first one, hundreds have followed and I’ve chaired the certification program in Michigan since 1986.

Trivia: Roger Bannister became the first man to break 4:00 in the mile in 1954; how long did his record last?

CHAIN OF EVENTS. First there was running in high school and college, then in quick succession came additional responsibilities in the sport.

At the same time I was juggling novice certification duties in early 1982, I agreed to start writing a regular column for this publication. The column was modeled after a weekly newsletter I was writing and giving away free at an Ann Arbor running store. Contents were a little about this and that, plus local, national and global news.

Preparation for each new task could be traced to previous practical and, sometimes, academic experiences. Even the running had its genesis in a childhood playing all sports year-round in southern California. Couple what I learned as a kid with latent talent budding rapidly in high school, and I was happily on my way to years of hard work, lots of miles, surrounded by supportive coaches and like-minded teammates.

Assessing physical talent was easy enough; gaining trust, dealing with teenage attitudes and different personalities and figuring out what to say and when was, by degrees, challenging and rewarding. By season’s end, I knew I wanted to return as a coach.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Less than a year after my last college track race, I latched on as an assistant track coach with the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School girls in 1975. It was the second year for their program and each day was as much a learning experience for me as it was for the girls. There were days I felt like a teacher keeping one lesson ahead of the students.

Taking what I knew and learning on the fly, breaking it down into smaller parts and sharing it as seemed fitting, fed a nurturing instinct. It felt good to focus on someone other than myself in a sport that had been so good to me. In simple terms, after season one, my guide was to help the girls grow and achieve at their own rates — all while having fun. It’s an approach I still use. I remained as assistant track coach until ‘79, was head girls cross-country coach at Pioneer from ‘77 to ‘79 and was a volunteer coach with the University of Michigan women’s track team in 1980. During the winter of ‘80, I agreed to direct the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run, a race I’d participated in several times. 12

It was satisfying to finally put my college degree in English to good use and I kept my eyes peeled for all things running as I composed each column. This and that has appeared in these pages since. Rounding out what proved a fertile year of being in the right place with cool jobs falling in my lap, I was asked if I might help Bobby Crim identify runners as they finished the race-in-his-name in August ‘82. Since I wasn’t racing and knew most of the top runners around, I agreed to join Bobby at the finish.

Scott Hubbard announces the 2004 Crim Festival of Races.

Road racing in Michigan was still relatively new and there weren’t many events or directors to model myself after. I drew heavily on my experiences in the race to make decisions that were in the best interests of all. I also relied on skills I’d developed as a coach to deal with the multitude of details inherent in point-to-point races. I got smart in a hurry and delegated authority, spreading the work around. The finish line for the Dex-AA Run was moved downtown in ‘82 and, innocently, I agreed to look into getting the new halfmarathon certified. Correspondence ensued with ultra-marathon legend Ted Corbitt, who was in charge of course certification with the old AAU (now USATF). The process of measuring and certifica-

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Bobby, as many know, has a gift of gab and love for running, so I was content to feed him names. After 10 minutes he turned, handed the mic to me and said, “Here, you know all the runners. You take over.” I gulped, thought of reasons to say no, said OK and the rest of that day is a blur. Over the years, I’ve become more comfortable in the announcer’s role, try to enunciate clearly and say what needs saying. It helps I follow the sport closely, so remarks and observations aren’t drawn from thin air. Hopefully what you hear adds a dash of insight to the action. Not being prepared makes me anxious, so I try to come organized with cogent stuff to impart. Recognizing finishers by name remains my top priority. In the late 1990s, prolific running writer Joe Henderson, in town to do television commentary on the Crim race, knew of my (modest) media skills and asked if I were interested in helping with the WFUM/PBS telecast.

I said yes immediately because working with Joe is always a special experience ... then seconds later wondered what I was getting into. I was a good candidate to help because I knew a lot about the race and had announced it for more than 15 years, but I felt unqualified in one important way: I had no experience on air. I was fearful of what would come out of mouth and unsure I could come up with the right things to say with the polished ease of pro Joe. Friends, this is where we segue into an episode of “How it works” to describe how the popular WFUM Crim race telecast came together. Setting the table, the first program to appear on WFUM was the Crim 10-mile race in August 1980. In short, each show was an exceptionally well-edited videotape of the race with voice-over commentary. The final telecast was a one-hour show in 2007 (the others were 90 minutes) months after show host and station program director Jim Gavor had retired. In advance of the ‘07 race, Jim put together a terrific video retrospective of the first 29 years of the signature 10-mile race. During my nine years as second banana on the show, I’d first get a run in before meeting with Jim about 45 minutes before race time. My role in the initial “standup” was to talk about race favorites while Jim made introductory remarks and asked me how I thought the weather on my pre-race run would affect the upcoming race. The “standup” would last about five to six minutes and be the only time I appeared on camera. Handicapping the favorites required a little homework and, annually, my picks would improbably make me look smart. Lucky too. After the standup, I went straight to the finish and settled in for four hours of race commentary and names, hundreds of names of runners and walkers finishing one of seven different events. Jim went to the video truck at the finish where they filmed finishers. By 10 a.m. he returned to the WFUM studios, first at Mott Community College, later at UM-Flint. At the studio, technicians began splicing together video shot from seven locations: three cameramen on the backs of motorcycles, one following the wheelers, the other two following the men and women leaders. There were also cameras near the two-, three- and five-mile marks and, as mentioned, the finish on Saginaw Street. Since Jim already knew the results, he could ensure important people and moments appeared, interspersed with interviews and pop-up “Crim facts.” With action shown in “real time,” when the video switched from the leaders to trailing runners, we got a true 14

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

sense of how far behind they were. It always added a delicious touch of perspective to watch those at the back of the pack round the corner at three miles near Kettering University and others pass the fivemile halfway point at a pace that would bring them home mid-pack, all while the leaders were breaking the finish-line tape. After I was done announcing, I’d wander over to the party area, have some pizza, then find a quiet place to rest. I’d arrive at the WFUM studios at 3 p.m. to find Jim and the ace station staff finishing up the editing. I was always impressed by all the details and technology being meshed. Typically, the editing wouldn’t be done until around 4 p.m., then Jim and I would go into a room equipped with tables, mics, earphones and a television. We’d spread out our notes, don earphones, I’d get ready to start my stopwatch (time wasn’t superimposed on the screen) and the fun began. The edited video would appear on the screen and, working sans script, we’d fill out the next 75 minutes or so with thoughts, observations and questions-and-answers about the ongoing pictures. For the most part, my task was to respond to Jim, who, as a non-runner, came up with many excellent “man on the street” questions. Since I never knew what he’d say, I had little time for quiet consideration before feeling compelled to respond. It helped I adopted a notion that we were two guys, sitting in a living room, chatting about the race. Otherwise, I would’ve been caught up in trying to frame the perfect response. Afterward, I often wished I’d said something differently, but felt generally good about the drift and flow of the shows. In our commentary, we had to pretend we didn’t know the outcome. As each race unfolded, sometimes Jim would be talking when I wanted to say something and I’d have to quickly decide if it was something worth saving and sharing, or moving on to whatever was next. At least one year, we didn’t finish our voice-over until after 6 p.m., less than an hour before the 7 p.m. air time. At some expense, WFUM annually mirrored the best the community had to offer with the Crim telecast. Sadly, the PBS station may be lost to a budget-cutting decision. Given that, I was honored to play a small part in the show many enjoyed at post-race parties.

Answer: John Landy broke Bannister’s record a mere 46 days later. MR

Book Review

Flint Journal Catch Your Breath, Flint

Hollobaugh’s Debut Novel is Engaging Read By Ron Marinucci “Fire, Barbed Wire & Tacks” by Jeff Hollobaugh, 2009. 202 pp. $14.99 paper. Bardus Bestia Books. (www.jeffhollobaugh.com)

nyone remotely interested in Michigan high school cross country and track knows of Jeff Hollobaugh. For years he has shared his knowledge and commentary about prep running in publications, including Michigan Runner, and online. Few know state high school running better. Now Hollobaugh has taken a stab at writing fiction. His first novel, “Fire, Barbed Wire & and Tacks,” is humorous, insightful and entertaining. “Fire” focuses on the last semester of Riley Matthew (or is it Matthew Riley? The story behind that is hilarious and, I suspect, not atypical of school bureaucracies) at Shiawassee High School. He runs, but is hardly a standout. On the Web site to promote the book, Hollobaugh writes, “The first thing my track buddies say is, ‘It’s about running, right?’” Well, not exactly … The main character, Riley Matthew (or Matthew Riley) is a runner, competing in distances for his high school track team. He runs regularly, in-season and off, with friends. His coach makes fleeting, but comically mysterious appearances. Riley aims for one last great effort, a race in which he … well, you read it; you won’t forget it. If you’re into symbolism, you might relate Riley’s last semester as a marathon or, perhaps more accurately, training for a marathon, with highs and lows, triumphs and 16

setbacks. That is, if you’re into symbolism. I suspect much of “Fire” is typical of many high schools and their students, although some of the episodes are pretty wild, especially the thread from which the title is derived. Hollobaugh is a high school English teacher, so it’s assumed he knows of what he writes. But some of the characters and their antics are pretty outrageous. We meet geeks and nerds, jocks, emos, Goths, Einsteins and just plain weirdos. We see courses and teachers many of us will recognize, if in another time perhaps. And we are presented with what many high schoolers confront (and have confronted), good and bad — stereotypes, acceptance, success, failure, depression, dating, parents, dreams and questions, many questions. Hollobaugh writes, “It’s a humorous novel …” At its funniest, it’s very humorous. You’ll often find yourself chuckling or even laughing out loud. “… about high school ...” Of the insights and predicaments, you’ll sometimes nod in remembering similar situations and episodes. Or you might ask yourself, “Is that really …?” “… and the things we dream about — we may not get what we want, but sometimes we learn some cool things along the way.” Best of all, you’ll find yourself fondly and wistfully reminiscing. “Fire, Barbed Wire & Tacks” is entertaining and easy reading. You will be able to finish it in a few hours. Although closer editing could have caught a handful of minor spelling errors, etc., it’s well worth reading. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Duo Misses Doubles at Catch Your Breath By Bill Khan

FLINT (7/11/09) — Winning two road races in one day isn’t easy, even for runners as talented as Flint’s Joe Maki and Fenton’s Lisa Veneziano. Both attempted to sweep the 10K and 5K races in The Flint Journal’s Catch Your Breath road race in downtown Flint, but came up one place short in their second race. Maki, a Division 2 All-Stater in cross country as a senior for Flint Powers Catholic High School last fall, easily won the 10K in 33:44 but lost to Division 3 All-Stater David Madrigal of Durand in the 5K. Madrigal broke Maki’s 2008 race record with a time of 15:50, while Maki was second in 16:42. The old mark was 16:13. Veneziano has won her share of doubles over the years, but couldn’t overcome the fresh legs of Grand Blanc’s Nicole Falvo in the 5K. Veneziano also had a decisive win in the 10K with a time of 37:47 and took second in the 5K in 18:48. Falvo ran a personal-best 18:34 to capture the shorter race. “It’s always tough,” Veneziano said. “I do several doubles throughout the year. The last one is always the toughest, because your legs are feeling the first race you did. Overall, I felt pretty strong. I’m getting ready for the (Crim) 10-mile. It’s good training.” Maki was trying to match Jon Davidson (2000) as the only men to sweep the 10K and 5K at Catch Your Breath. Three women have pulled off sweeps at the event. “I knew I was in shape to run the double,” Maki said. “I didn’t know how fit I was to defend my (5K) title from last year. To run under 17-minute (5K) pace for both races is still good.” Madrigal shot straight to the lead and kept pushing the pace, knowing his former high school rival was already softened up from having raced the 10K. “I just took it out the first half-mile and made sure I made a little gap and there was no chance of anybody staying with me,” Madrigal said. “We race each other five to seven times a year, all different road races, two or three cross country invitationals. We’re usually really, really close. We usually go back and forth for wins.” In the 10K, it was Maki who fired off the start line and ran alone the rest of the way. He won by a healthy 3:14 margin over Swartz Creek’s John Niven, the masters winner. Veneziano also won by a large margin in the women’s 10K, placing fourth overall with a 4:12 cushion over runnerup Sarah Drevon of Swartz Creek. Falvo’s strong suit is longer distances. She was fourth in the Volkslaufe 10K in 38:46 one week earlier, ran 1:24:50 in the Indy Half Marathon May 2, and is in training for the Crim 10-mile and Detroit Free Press Marathon. “I’d like to get it down under 18,” Falvo said. “Today wasn’t the day, but I’m still happy with it. Normally, I’m a long-distance runner. I prefer the half (marathon); it’s a good solid race for me.” Six runners pulled off sweeps, either for overall, masters or age-group honors. Maki was first in the 10K and in the men’s 18-24 division in the 5K; Veneziano was first in the 10K and first female master in the 5K; Niven was the first masters runner in the 10K and first in the men’s 45-49 division in the 5K; Wanda Handlin of Flint swept the women’s 50-54, Karen Bell of Otisville the women’s 65-69 and Cathy Detman of Flint the women’s 70-74. MR

Best Source Credit Union Heart of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills.

Muturi, Webster Win Heart of Hills By Charles Douglas McEwen

She finished in 37:46. Next came Samantha Mifsud, 21, of Dearborn (42:10) and Jacqueline Kerr, 29, of Novi (42:45). Donna Olson, 59, a former Bloomfield Hills resident who now lives in Canton, was the top masters finisher (48:14). “I kind of miss these hills,” Olson said. “But I got reacquainted today.”

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Nick Allen, 27, of Northville took the lead about midway through 5K, then survived a last-minute surge from C. Fred Joslyn, 25, of Rochester to win the race. “I never totally ruled him out,” Allen said of Joslyn. “I knew he had to make a pretty strong move at the end — and he did. I just barely held him off.” “He (Allen) had about 100 yards on me at one point,” Joslyn said. “I came in hard the last half-mile and almost got him. I felt strong. I just ran out of space.” Allen timed 15:35 to Joslyn’s 15:36. Christopher Pankow, 21, of Williamston was third (16:13). Jeff Martin, 51, of Bloomfield Hills led the masters in 18:32. Denisa Costescu, 33, of Commerce Township won the women’s 5K for her fourth-straight year, clocking 18:11. Next came Mollie Pozolo, 18, of Rochester (19:58) and Jennifer Taylor, 24, of White Lake (21:20). Alicen Gillespie, 43,of Madison Heights paced the masters in 23:13. All proceeds from the race, which had

10 K Winner Erin Webster

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

BLOOMFIELD HILLS (7/25/2009) — Though he grew up in Kenya and now lives in Rochester, Stephen Muturi looked right at home in winning his second-straight Best Source Credit Union Heart of the Hills 10K road race. “I love hills,” said Muturi, 33. “And I love these hills very much.” He won last year in 32:48 and this year in 32:20, treating Bloomfield’s hills as if they were speed bumps. Muturi didn’t love this year’s 70-degree temperature and light rain. “It was a little cold and my body was tightening up,” he said with a shiver. “I’m not used to running in this kind of summer weather. I like it to be 85 degrees. I like to be sweating even before I start the race.” Matt Fecht, 25, of Warren finished runner-up in 32:57. B.J. Pankow, 25, of Williamston took third in 35:00. Kraig Schmottlach, 42, of Warren was the top masters runner in 37:27. Muturi broke out to a big lead on the first mile. “When we went through the first mile, I was at 4:50 and he was already 10 seconds ahead of me,” Fecht said. Erin Webster, 26, of Dearborn finished second in last year’s 5K. This year she won the 10K. “It was a very tough course, as usual,” Webster said.

about 550 participants, went to the Children’s Miracle Network, Bloomfield Optimists and Recreation & Community Services. Complete results are posted at www.heartofthehillsrace.com. MR

10 K Winner Stephen Muturi

Christopher Pankow (l), 3rd in the 5K, chats with 5K winner Nick Allen (r) after the race.

Ovidiu Olteanu and daughter Alisia need not be concerned; wife and mother Denisa Costescu won her 4th straight 5K.

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K, Cutlerville

Diemer Donuts, Dinero Go to Fast Few By Daniel G. Kelsey

in good stead. He placed seventh, in the money, with a time of 15:04.

They were three of four women and 54 men who earned donuts by beating Diemer, the 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in the steeplechase. Diemer, 47, posted a 17:22. Dan Jackson, 20, of Dexter had his eyes on the biggest award of the day. While stretching a few yards from the start line, he said he’d come to win.

James Gale, 24, of Grand Rapids took the attraction of a purse as a given. While doing early stretching in the gym, as runners all around him registered, he said his real focus was on a marathon the following week. But who could pass up a shot at a cash prize? “The money goes ten deep, so I thought, ‘Why not?’” Gale said. An hour and a quarter later he rolled in the dough when he rolled across the finish line in eighth place at 15:18. Hinkley had two Hillsdale College athletes in tow: Erin Cvengros, 20, of East Grand Rapids and Melissa TenKate, 19, of Wyoming. Cvengros and TenKate each had few goals in mind except to go under 20 minutes.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

CUTLERVILLE (6/13/09) — Sarah Hinkley of Hillsdale downplayed her chances in the 20th annual Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K. When asked, while preparing beforehand at her car, what she hoped for, Hinkley, 26, said she wanted to finish in the mid-to-low 17s. The Hillsdale College assistant coach for distance running, who set her 16:22 PR while at Western Michigan University, wasn’t sure of her fitness this spring. “I haven’t raced in a while,” she said. “But I’d like to win some money.” Three-quarters of an hour later she participated in near-photo finish. Hinkley placed second, posting a 17:06, two seconds behind Denisa Costescu, 33, of Walled Lake and one second ahead of Danielle Quisenberry, 27, of Jackson. Costescu won $600, Hinkley $350 and Quisenberry $250 for their efforts.

“I have no clue what kind of time to expect,” Cvengros said. “I just want to start running fast.”

Paul Aufdemberge (age 44) took advantage of the cool weather and a flat, loop course to set a new American single-age (M44) 5K road race record of 14:51.

Jackson knew that as a juniorto-be at Notre Dame he was ineligible for a cash prize. “I’m going to get a donut,” he said. “That’s what I’m really shooting for.”

During the indoor season last winter he ran a best time of 14:12 in the 5000 meters. He spoke, maybe not all that seriously, as if his sophomore year had turned into drudgery. “I’m here because I felt like racing,” Jackson said. “I’m just kind of bored with training.” Half an hour later he proved as good as his word. He was first across the finish line in 14:32, two seconds ahead of Nick Stanko,

28, of Haslett, seven up on Ian Forsyth, 37, of Ann Arbor, and eight seconds ahead of Kristopher Koster, 27, of Grand Rapids. Chris Hammer, 23, of Troy came to Cutlerville to make his first-ever run at a purse. He’d just graduated from Grand Valley State University as a Division II All-American in the steeplechase. While fitting himself out at a car before the race, he said he’d be happy to run a 15flat. “I’ve been running in competition since January,” Hammer said. An hour later his racing edge stood him

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2009diemer/ 18

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

“All I’m hoping for is a decent race,” TenKate said. “I want to get a donut.”

Forty-five minutes later the two missed out on earning sweets by two minutes. Cvengros finished 10th overall among women at 19:14 and TenKate 12th at 19:27.

The masters champion for each gender qualified for a donut to go with a $500 prize. Paul Aufdemberge, 44, of Redford ran sixth overall with a 14:51. Laurel Park, 46, of Ann Arbor ran fourth among women with a 17:21, edging Diemer by one second. Then came the vast majority of 735 men and 702 women who finished the race, earning neither money nor donuts. They braved the slate skies, scattered raindrops, 60-degree temperature and high humidity for no particular glory. They sweated it out for little reward but a sense of accomplishment and wellbeing. Let them eat cake. MR

Photo by Jennie McCafferty

GLSP Television Network 2009 Events

Marathon Oasis de Montreal

SEPTEMBER

Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo - Detroit, MI Capital City River Run Half Marathon - Lansing, MI Crim Festival of Races 10 Mile - Flint, MI Golfing at Thunder Bay Resort - Hillman, MI Labor Day Madness at Marsh Ridge Resort - Gaylord, MI Marathon Oasis de Montreal - Montreal, QE, Canada Michigan Quilting Retreat at Thunder Bay Resort - Hillman, MI Patriot Golf Day Shootout - Treetops, Gaylord, MI Playmakers Spartan Cross Country Invitational - East Lansing, MI Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - Toronto, ON IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships - Berlin, Germany.

OCTOBER

Brooksie Way Half Marathon - Rochester, MI Candlestone Every Stride Races - Belding, MI 22

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Great Lakes Cross Country Championships - Grand Ledge, MI Indianapolis Marathon - Indianapolis, IN Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon - Grand Rapids, MI Pepsi Fall Charity Invitational,Treetops Resort - Gaylord, MI Royal Victoria Marathon - Victoria, BC, Canada

NOVEMBER

NCAA XC Championships - Terra Haute, IN Treetops Resort Season Opener - Gaylord, MI Winter Olympic Preview: A Report from Cypress Mountain West Vancouver, BC

DECEMBER

Run Like The Dickens - Holly, MI USATF Club Cross Country Championships - Lexington, KY

Bikesport Clark Lake Triathlon, Clark Lake

Inch Inches in at Clark Lake Tri

By Katie KellyNoble

eight times. “I usually race locally,” she said. “It is inexpensive to sleep in your own bed.

CLARK LAKE (7/19/09) — With clear morning skies, the start of the Clark Lake Triathlon and Duathlon went swimmingly.

Matt Inch, 21, of Clarkston won the overall triathlon. With a goal of finishing under 1 hour and 10 minutes, Inch, well, inched his way to success, coming in at 1:09.59. This was his fifth year competing in the event and first win. What did he credit?

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

From the moment the first wave of competitors hit the water the battle for the finish was hot.

“What I like about this race is the terrain. I often recommend it to triathletes looking for their first race. You can’t get lost, it is well run, there are lots of volunteers and it’s flat.”

Kristen Emmorey (l.) and Ashley Storall (r) leave Clark Lake for the run up to the bike leg of the triathlon.

“Luck. I had a bad race yesterday and it just felt good today,” said Inch, who had competed in an Olympic-distance triathlon the day before in Illinois. “Usually I’m a strong swimmer, but surprisingly my bike was very strong today. That usually is my weakest link,” Inch said. Jennifer Gunderson, 23, of Fort Collins, Colo., took first in the women’s triathlon in 1:22.14. “This is my fifth year (competing in the Clark Lake Tri) so it is kind of a tradition,” said Gunderson, who ran for Hillsdale College. She credited her first win in the event to her altitude training in Colorado as a master’s student. Anne Marie Phillips, 48, of Northville won the master’s women’s triathlon in 1:24.17. Phillips has competed in the event

Brian Francis, 42, was the male master’s winner, finishing just 90 seconds behind Inch. For those who preferred to stay on land, the competition was just as

fierce. Nicholas Johnson, 22, of Huntington, Ind., won the duathlon overall in 1:10.35. For his first du in three years, he said it went pretty well. “I got a new bike three weeks ago and figured I would give it a try,” said Johnson. “I really liked the run start, but the bike was a little tough. These roads are a lot bumpier than I’m used to riding.” Kelsey Devereaux, 21, of Jackson was the women’s duathlon champ in 1:20.30. “This is my first and last (du) of the summer,” said Deveraux, whose Indiana Wesleyan cross country coach prefers she saves her races for her upcoming senior season. Although she will have to wait a year, Devereaux plans to compete in this event in the future. “It is a good course and it’s nice that it is local. It was just fun,” she said. MR

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2009clarklake/ Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Beyond the Chip

Purposeful Training over Natural Terrain

By Herb Lindsay

Go slow when starting to train over uneven ground. Using a balance trainer can help you prepare, in your home or at the gym, for challenging trail running, or training over turf in future weeks.

wise cross country coach once said, “Do not train as if you are an automobile set on cruise control.” What do you think he was thinking when giving this advice?

Your body will need time to adapt. Muscles that support the foot, ankle, lower leg, knee and hip will all become stronger as the body adapts to running on irregular surfaces.

“Do deer move through the woods and over farm fields at a constant speed?” he continued. “No. Their movement is influenced by many factors as they seek food, shelter, protection from predators and more. Their movements show that they are well-adapted to moving over natural terrain.

Running on varying terrain also enhances upper-body and core strength, especially for athletes who vary pace while doing so. At first, it takes focused concentration to accomplish this kind of training. Newcomers will need more time than those who have already achieved base fitness.

“They have the ability to change speed and direction with ease, and with great agility they seem able to overcome almost any obstacle in their way. They adapt well to their environment and they are strong as they must be to survive.”

He saw his runners becoming bored with monotonous training and frustrated by lack of race competitiveness due to overuse injuries, including shin splints and ankle sprains. Athletes were less able to change speeds as needed to respond to challenges from opponents or varying terrain and footing.

He hoped to teach athletes the value of training at varying pace, over varying surface and terrain. “If you do this,” he said, “you will gain confidence, strength, balance, muscle and joint flexibility, plus endurance exceeding those who do not do this. “Doing so will make you less vulnerable to lower leg and ankle injuries — and more competitive too!” he said.

Photo from Michigan Runner archives

The coach asked these questions and provided explanations after watching athletes develop habits of running the same loop courses, at the same pace, and often over the same smooth, flat, hard surface.

Once your brain and nerve connections become familiar with the new experience, your body will adapt and little conscious effort will be needed. The brain and propreoceptors will connect muscles and joints and perform automatically to support and splint the joints. The adaptation that takes place from running on natural surface and terrain is the same as what physical therapists intend when prescribing work on the balance trainer.

Herb Lindsay defends his Crim 10 Mile title in the early 1980’s.

Vary Surface and Terrain The coach recommended that athletes of all ages focus on specific objectives — to purposefully vary pace, time and especially terrain and footing — in designing their personalized training programs.

The fact is, many runners are like the athletes the coach saw becoming “animals of habit” in ways that reduced their potential performance. This is even more common among those in their 40s or 50s who have come to accept, “that I can’t run like I did when younger.”

Running on natural surfaces requires concentration and focus on where your feet land. “To run over varying surfaces and terrain is to become a more mindful runner,” the coach said often.

They recognize the ability they have lost and have all but written off any possibility that it could be regained. Their daily ritual of the same amount of one-pace training reduces their ability and leads them to accept mediocre performance that further contributes to their physical decline.

Athletes recovering from ankle sprains and other lower-leg ailments are typically prescribed work (stepping, bounding and/or balancing) on a BOSU balance trainer (a domed, flat-bottom ball). Using it creates challenges similar to feet and lower-leg stressors experienced when training over natural terrain and footing. Both demand more mindfulness than flat, consistent-surface training.

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

This training approach will bring subtle variations in technique that can significantly enhance running ability and the economy with which you carry your body. As an athlete ages, maintaining or developing this strength and ability will protect against injury from falls and reduce chance of lower-leg injuries. Of course, it takes practice to improve this ability. It helps to think about how to do it and make it an objective in your training plan.

Four-Wheel Drive The coach suggested it might help to hold the image of your body transformed into a light, energy-efficient yet powerful and agile four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle. Imagine this vehicle moving over rugged, unmaintained wilderness roads. This is stark contrast to the vision of a gas-guzzling luxury automobile set on cruise control as rolls over a smooth slab of superhighway. Now imagine how the four-wheel drive feature applies to running form; using all four

limbs, legs and arms — at the same time — to “power” yourself over the terrain. Use a slight forward lean, letting arms swing low, bending at the elbow with wrists passing your hips. You move effortlessly, no matter what the terrain or surface. The movement of arms helps with balance and to power legs to drive you forward. This is especially true when running over irregular footing. Use of cruise control is impractical when driving off-road. Instead, the driver is always aware of the changing terrain and almost instinctively adjusts pressure on the gas pedal, changing gears and braking (only if necessary) to move with the greatest safety, speed and economy over the uncertain route. Think about how you can develop your own “four-wheel drive” ability. To do so takes focus and practice, what the coach called mindful running. Start by noticing the terrain, then adjust your route, focus and choice of course to respond to the challenge of moving over it. If there is a slight downhill, practice striding out to take advantage of the free ride gravity gives. If there is an uphill, challenge yourself to glide to the top. Have the attitude and belief that doing this will make you stronger and faster. Start slowly and gradually increase the time or distance of your “four-wheel” runs. Your mind and body will respond and adapt in time.

Share Your Experience Runs where you react to changing terrain become more interesting and contribute more to your improvement when you share the experience with others. Why not invite them to join you? Try taking turns leading the run over hills, across creeks, stepping over roots and accelerating confidently when the trail is smooth to allow it. Each person leads — runs wherever they choose — for two minutes before letting someone else lead. Whether this is done in town, in an urban park or in a wild place, this approach can be great fun due to the unpredictable route created by changing leaders. Remember the vision of light-footed, efficient “four-wheel” movement. These runs can also include varying pace. However, the agreed rule can be anyone can request a slower pace. The most important element is to explore varying terrain, connect your thought to

match it, and match each other. Your bodies will become stronger and more able — together.

In time, it will become easier to train on natural terrain and your confidence will grow with your ability to run this way — for the first time, or for the first time in a long time. Have fun with it!

Where to Train This Way? Whether training in a city or in the country, choose to run on gravel, grass or whatever more-natural surface is available, even if it is just a narrow strip adjacent to the pavement. Doing so requires more physical and mental energy as well as creativity in designing where and how you run. This may include repeating varying loops around a small neighborhood park, through school grounds and other places not typically seen as places to run. Be creative. You won’t have to go far to create a challenging, natural-surfaces route, wherever you live. For added interest and challenge, travel to other places with a greater variety of surfaces and terrain. Consider visiting public lands dissected by hiking trails or sandy roads meandering through forests. Explore beaches and dunes of the Lake Michigan shore, hiking trails at nearby parks and more. Family vacations may provide excellent opportunities to explore attractive places for sharing movement experiences over varying terrain. Ask locals where to find interesting, natural, wild places to explore on foot. Of course, maps and descriptions found online can be used to find new destinations to target.

What Would the Coach Say in Closing? The most important outcome of training this way is coming to see yourself as a strong athlete who just happens to run, he’d say. Don’t undervalue the personal success and satisfaction that can come through purposeful training over natural terrain. Were he still with us today, he might have suggested ending the article with these thoughts about the movement of wonderfully-adapted animals of the woodland: “If you train over natural terrain, on race day you’ll be able to run like a white-tail on the first day of firearm season.”

Michigan native/now Fremont teacher Herb Lindsay is former U.S. record holder at the half-marathon and 10 miles. He was America’s No. 1-Ranked Road Racer in 1980 and 1981, according to The Runner magazine. MR

Fairway Celebration Have you ever experienced running barefoot on the manicured turf of a golf course fairway? It’s a celebration to be liberated from your shoes and to feel the foot strike the cool, moist, cushioned surface. It feels a lot like landing on the BOSU ball; as your foot strikes the surface and spreads out to balance weight as your body moves over it. Try several weaving strides with slow jog recovery. Of course, this is best done when the course is not in use by golfers. Also, be aware there may be unexpected obstacles (sprinkler connections are common). Light of the full moon through a cloudless sky enhances the experience. Small group barefoot excursions over the fairway add to the fun! Keep down the volume of vocal celebrations as you enjoy the atypical training surface -- so to not attract unwanted attention. Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Drayton’s Michigan Marathon Record: 40 Years and Counting

By Jim Carter

line in front of Belle Isle’s athletic field complex, the clock read exactly 2:12, more than six minutes under the course record.

ctober 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of what is most likely the longest-lasting distance record in Michigan: the fastest marathon time ever run in the state. Photo courtesy Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Although a few Michigan natives have gone out of state to run faster, and world-class runners — including Greg Meyer and several Kenyans — have run marathons in Michigan, nobody has yet beat the mark set here 40 years ago. To put this timeframe in perspective, runners entering the masters division this year were just being born in 1969!

With his torrid solo run, Drayton had not only recorded the fastest Canadian time for the year, but also lowered his own PR and Canadian record by better than four minutes. Most impressively, he had recorded the fastest marathon ever run in North America. Second place that day was 15 minutes back.

The elite running community, including the national Amateur Athletic Union (the sanctioning body in those days), did not believe the time and suggested the course was short. A frustrated Smith sent an angry Jerome Drayton (right) is inducted into Canada’s letter to the AAU reminding The race was held on Sports Hall of Fame, August, 1978. them they had forced him to reThanksgiving Day until 1968. On measure the course in 1966 that day, heavy rain and a cold, blowafter Mike Hazilla had run a those days) lined up for the start in front of ing wind convinced the host club, the Motor 2:18:47 (third fastest American ever up until the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Belle Isle, no City Striders, to move the race date to then). one present expected what was about to Sunday, Oct. 19, the next year to minimize unfold. chances of another bad-weather race day. The A still-skeptical AAU finally sent one of change also allowed more Canadian runners its national course marshals to Detroit, who Once race director Ernie Smith fired the to participate, since they did not have the confirmed that the course was indeed a legitistarting gun, the 24-year-old Drayton took American Thanksgiving off as a holiday. mate 26 miles, 385 yards. the lead at such a fast pace that no others went with him. Across the border in Ontario, another Unfortunately for the world’s top change was taking place. Peter Buniak, hardly marathoners, they were still convinced the At the 5-mile mark it became obvious known outside Canada, changed his name to Detroit course was short. Less than two why he had no company. The timers could Jerome Drayton. months after his Detroit run and without a hardly believe their stopwatches as Drayton paid invitation from Fukuoka, Drayton came by in under 25 minutes with smooth Drayton had just started running showed up in Japan two days before its strides better described as gliding than as runmarathons the year before and had a mostlyevent. ning. frustrating 1968, including a dysenteryIn 1963, the Motor City Marathon (predecessor to today’s Free Press Marathon) was resurrected with a course consisting of just under five laps on Belle Isle’s perimeter road.

induced DNF at the Mexico City Olympics. However in September of 1969, Drayton won the prestigious Springbank International 12-Mile race in London, Ont., beating the entire Mexican national distance squad in the process.

Under guidance from Toronto Olympic Club coach Paul Poce, the 5’9”, 130-pound Drayton had developed a focused, four-phase training program that, combined with his efficient running form, resulted in one of the most highly-developed human cardiovascular systems ever recorded.

He then set his sights on Detroit, hoping to run the fastest Canadian time for 1969 and maybe, just maybe, running fast enough to get invited to compete at Fukuoka, Japan, which invites the world’s top marathoners to compete there each year.

Drayton’s resting pulse rate was reported to be 28 (compared to an average person’s 70) and his maximum oxygen uptake was 80 ml/kg/min (compared 45 for an average 20year-old).

The morning of Oct. 19 began with light rain but no wind and a temperature hovering around 50° F. As 65 runners (a big field in

The timers and spectators watched in amazement as Drayton, running alone, clicked off each 5-mile split at nearly a 5minute/mile pace. As he crossed the finish

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Race day Dec. 7 that year found the weather almost identical to Detroit: 50° F. and rain. As with Detroit, Drayton took the lead from the start and opened an everincreasing gap over a world-class chase pack including 1968 Olympic champion Mamo Wolde, 1969 Boston Marathon winner Yoshimi Unetani and 1969 European marathon champion Ron Hill. By the time they realized that Drayton was not going to slow, nobody could reel him in. At the finish, Drayton had posted a 2:11:12 PR for another Canadian record. His fast, front-running tactics had also pulled the next nine finishers to their own personal bests.

Convenient Recovery: It’s in Your Kitchen

By Sheryl Lozicki, R.D.

hile recovery powders, drinks, bars and gels are a convenient way to rehydrate and refuel your body after a hard workout, they can be expensive and sometimes require an extra stop after a long run or on shopping day to purchase them.

Yet an athlete should not underestimate the value they play in training or chalk them up as just another way to spend money on counter impulse purchases. Multiple studies have confirmed their role in improving athletic performance and runners should make recovery fuels a common post-workout habit right after they stretch and before they hit the showers. Research shows that the key to a fast recovery is to consume food and beverages that have a 3:1 carbohydrate: protein ratio within 30 minutes of a run or race. This timing is critical because the window following a workout is when digestive enzymes are most active and blood flow is greatest. Athletes who abide by the 30-minute rule will tend to store up to three times more glycogen (the fuel muscles run on) than those who wait two or more hours. Cost, access, dieting and lack of knowledge sometimes cause a runner to skip this recovery phase altogether. Many athletes choose brand-name recovery products for their portability, convenience and because they have achieved great results. However, runners aren’t limited to only manufactured products. Earlier this year, two home remedies got a lot of publicity at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual conference. Both can be found inside kitchen refrigerators and pantries and may be equally as effective as specialty products, yet a fraction of the cost.

The first study was conducted by researchers at the University of Texas on cyclists’ rate of recovery testing sports drinks vs. breakfast cereal. Blood samples taken before, during and after the ride and muscle biopsies showed that glycogen storage after the ride was comparable between the two. However, the breakfast cereal group showed a significant advantage in protein synthesis for rebuilding damaged tissue. The researchers determined that consuming a whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk might be a smart investment for athletes. The second study was conducted by researchers at James Madison University on soccer players’ rate of recovery testing sports drinks vs. low-fat chocolate milk. They found no difference between the two beverages in terms of player performance using rated tests, muscle soreness, or mental and physical fatigue. Better yet, the chocolate milk drinkers had less creatine kinase, an indicator of muscle damage, when compared to those who consumed the sports drink. In addition to helping rebuild lean muscle and replenishing glycogen in the body, an athlete needs to consider the benefits that real food such as cereal, fruits and dairy products provide the body. They are an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus for bone health, antioxidants vitamin A and C for tissue health, and potassium. Lack of the latter can result in muscle cramps. Athletes attempting to lose weight will sometimes skip the post-workout snack in an effort to save calories. They only save 150 to 300 calories by doing so and may sabotage their ability to fully train the next time out, costing them more in the long run.

Drayton’s Detroit and Fukuoka wins earned him the world’s top marathon ranking for 1969 by Track & Field News and the IAAF.

sixth in the 1976 Olympic Marathon, a silver medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games Marathon and a victory at the 1977 Boston Marathon.

Drayton’s 1969 Detroit race was the door-opener to a 10-year world-class running career. Although beset with disappointments and injuries over the years, he went on to set a world record for 10 miles in 1970, won Fukuoka two more times including a 2:10:08 (still the Canadian all-time record), claimed

Retired from competitive running, Drayton still does a little fitness running, hikes, plays golf and performs intense swimming intervals. To this day, his 2:12:00 Detroit time is Michigan’s gold standard for the marathon.

If you are just can’t stomach food after a run or race, try to rehydrate with clear beverages such as ginger ale, Sprite, 7-Up or chicken noodle soup, and refuel with dry foods like pretzels, pita chips, a dry bagel or toast. Both clear liquids and carbohydrates without dips or topping will leave fewer residues in your stomach, reducing the potential for nausea. Just as some people need to train their stomachs to tolerate hydrating before and during an event; others need to train their stomachs to tolerate doing so after exercise. The bottom line is there are many sports recovery options; don’t neglect the 30-minute post-workout recovery window. Underestimating the value it plays in training will leave you fatigued and sluggish for your next workout. Maximize your training time and improve your race performance by rehydrating, refueling and replenishing as a regular part of your athletic training program.

Other Pantry Options: • Whole grain bagel topped with low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter • Medium banana and a glass of low-fat milk • Tortilla wrap with cheese, meat or peanut butter with juice • Low-fat yogurt topped with fresh fruit • Fresh fruit smoothie • Low-fat cheese and crackers with juice • Cereal bar with milk or juice

Sheryl Lozicki, R.D., M.B.A., is a Grand Rapids runner and registered dietitian. For more ideas on eating for optimal fitness, visit her Web site at http://e2dietitian.com. MR

Writer Jim Carter (10th in the 1969 Motor City Marathon) thanks Ed Kozloff of the Motor City Striders, Ken Shumate (timer at the 1969 race), Michigan Runner’s Scott Hubbard, author David Blaikie, Bob Moore of the Toronto Olympic Club and Drayton himself for their help with this article. Readers interested in a more-detailed account of Drayton’s running career can Google his name on the Internet. Blaikie’s account is especially interesting, Carter says. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Nick Cordes, Leigh Daniels Marry Before a National TV Audience

Grand Island Marathon & 10K, Munising

Grand Island Marathon, 10K are Grand Indeed

GRAND ISLAND (7/25/09) — In early morning hours, runners shuffled onto a ferry to take them across Lake Superior. One man even kayaked the watery distance. For most, the usual pre-race routine doesn’t require such arrangements. But with a secluded island as the setting, the Grand Island Trail Marathon and 10K lived up to everything Michigan’s Upper Peninsula stands for: majestic wilderness, peaceful scenery and a terrain made only for the tough. Mike Camilli, 40, from Marquette took first in the men’s 10K, running 38:25.5. Camilli said he always makes it to the island for the race, but this is his first win in the event. “I finished exactly where I expected time wise. I wasn’t expecting to win. I am the same age as Brett Favre, but I don’t have any plans to retire,” he said. Kevin Royce, 18, of Grand Rapids and Justin Noble, 24, of Ann Arbor placed second and third, running 40:01.3 and 40:15.8 respectively. Kristin Childs, 40, from Elgin, Ill. won the women’s 10K in 45:45.9. This was her first time running on Grand Island and her finish exceeded her expectations. “This is a great 10K. I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Childs said. The trail marathon began at 7 a.m. and runners had serious hills ahead. Eric Houghton, 30, from Traverse City was first to emerge from the woods and won in 2:50.44. “It was beautiful,” Houghton said. “There are some spots where you’re like ‘Wow, I shouldn’t be running, I should be on a scenic bike ride.’” 32

Houghton and three other runners ran together until mile 14, where he finally broke away. “I felt comfortable by about mile 24 that I would be able to win,” he said. Placing second in 2:55.34 was Brent McMillan, 30, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It was his first time running a trail marathon and maybe his last, he said. “It is very difficult. If I do another one, I will be more prepared. It was very tough,” McMillan said. Benjamin Evans, 28 of Portland, Ore., placed third in 2:58.51. The women’s leaders stuck together longer, but in the end Courtney Chase, 36, from Marquette claimed first place in 3:38.10. “It was beautiful, peaceful, well-run, well-marked and perfect weather,” Chase said, adding the hilly course gave her the advantage. Donna Gering, 44, of Ironwood took second in 3:38.49. “Second place here is my best and this is my fastest time,” said Gering, who has run all five editions of the marathon. “It is challenging but beautiful. Just to finish is a feat.” Liz Ulrich, 24, from Charlevoix placed third in 3:40.35. After all the miles were behind them, runners soaked their sore legs in Lake Superior before hopping back on the boat to the mainland. Running a marathon on an island takes more work than a road race, but the abundant smiles and contented laughing coming from hundreds of runners indicated they wouldn’t have had it any other way. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Photo by John Brabbs / runmichigan.com

By Katie Kelly-Noble

Nick Cordes, Olympic marathon trials qualifier, and Leigh Daniels, Michigan Runner’s female runner of the year in 2005, won the 2009 “The Today Show Throws a Wedding”. Cordes and Daniels first won the right to compete with three other couples. The Today Show audience voted for the winning couple, then voted for everything from Leigh’s wedding dress to the place for the honeymoon (Australia). Although they now reside in Ashland, Ohio, where they coach track and cross country at Ashland University, a number of Michigan friends traveled to New York City for the festivities.

Watch Nick and Leigh’s Today Show ceremony: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30744331

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Detroit Marathon Relay is Unforgettable

Runners circle Belle Isle during the 2007 Detroit Free Press Flagstar Marathon Relay. By Michael Heberling

marathon relay is an excellent way to experience the excitement of a marathon without actually having to run all 26.2 miles.

The Detroit Free Press/ Flagstar Marathon Relay is made up of five legs that vary from three to seven miles. The first and longest starts at Washington Boulevard with all of the other marathoners and crosses the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Ont. Leg two re-enters the U.S. via the DetroitWindsor Tunnel. This is billed as “the world’s only underwater international mile.” The third leg heads north along the Detroit River to Belle Isle. The fourth and shortest leg circles the island and comes back into Detroit over the MacArthur Bridge. The final leg briefly heads north into the historic Indian Village district before turning south on Lafayette Boulevard to the finish. Teams can compete in 12 divisions: three corporate (firms with fewer than 100, 100 to 499, and 500 or more employees), three open (all male, all female and mixed), three masters (ages 40 and older male, female and mixed), college/university, armed services/police/border patrol/fire and legal/medical divisions. In 2007 I ran the anchor leg for the Baker College team. Our three men and two women, ages 25 to 56, won the college/university division, beating six other entries and placing 33rd overall among 490 teams in 3:20:18. We all

enjoyed the experience and looked forward to doing it again in 2008. Unfortunately, a repeat win seemed unlikely for three reasons. First off, we lost two team members. Chris Miciek, who ran the second leg, took another job at Drexel University in Pennsylvania. Erin Creason, who ran leg four, left Baker for a position at Schoolcraft College in Livonia. After an extensive search of Baker employees, we found replacements. Becky Richardson, a Baker graduate and new employee, had a high school cross-country background and competed in local 5K races. Steve Peterson had just run the 2008 Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. Second, we knew that the competition would be much stiffer. In 2007, we’d faced other college teams composed of faculty and staff; students competed in their own division. For 2008, there would be just one large college division open to faculty, staff and students. Our 2007 team would not have beaten the winning student relay team. For 2008, with the merger, our competition would grow from seven to 18 teams. Third, injuries plagued our three team veterans. Tom Miller, who had run the long first leg, injured his back when he fell down a flight of stairs. Captain Maureen Parmann rolled her ankle while training for Dances with Dirt. And I lost three months of training with hip bursitis. Maureen and I were fully recovered by race day, but Tom did not feel he could run the long leg. He switched places with Steve and ran the second leg instead.

Buses took team members to their exchange points. I was dropped off just north of the MacArthur Bridge on the west shore of the river at exchange point four with more than 600 other fifth-leg runners. I would wait until I received a cell phone call from Maureen to let me know Becky was on her way. I would then have about 20 minutes to get ready. I used this time to peel off layers of clothing and make one last pit stop. Becky was all alone as she came off the bridge and headed north to the exchange point. I gave her my bag with cold-weather clothing that I was not going to need today. It was a perfect day for running: sunny, cool but not cold and with no wind. It was also a wonderful route: flat and scenic, with sidewalk bands playing all kinds of music. The finish was thrilling, with thousands of spectators on both sides of the street cheering us on. I raced it exactly the way I had trained for it. When I rejoined my teammates, we all felt good and agreed that the race was a great experience. No matter what the results, we wanted to do it again next year. How did we do? Our time was 3:20:26, eight seconds slower than last year. But this was good enough to win again! We were first out of 18 in the college and university division. Overall, we came in 29th out of 605 relay teams. Michael Heberling, Ph.D., is president of the Baker College Center for Graduate Studies in Flint. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Solstice Run, Northville

Record 1,539 Souls Sizzle at Solstice Run

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

NORTHVILLE (6/27/09) — Prior to running the Solstice Run, Kalli Williams, 24, of Ann Arbor had never met Carrie Gould Hatfield, 30, of Flint. But she knew about her legacy. “She (Hatfield) went to Eastern (Michigan University) several years before I did,” Williams said. “She had all the 5K and 10K records and I tried to break them, but never could. “I couldn’t chase her down today either,” Williams said. Hatfield won the Solstice Run 10K in 38:50. Williams finished right behind in 38:55. “I didn’t actually know it was her until we introduced ourselves after the race,” Williams said. “I know all about her though. I’m not disappointed to lose to Carrie. She did awesome!” Kari Meyers (bib 1355, center), ran the 5K 19 hours after finishing a program of Hatfield said Williams gave chemotherapy, with friends who ran with her, including 10K winner Carrie Gould her a great race. “I had the lead at the start,” Hatfield (bib 201). Hatfield said. “Then two girls (Williams and Jackie Rzepecki) ran University of Michigan, stayed within 20 sec“Kari Meyers, a friend of mine, just came off with me for a couple miles. onds of O’Brien throughout much of the chemotherapy,” explained Hatfield. “And a “I took the lead and she (Williams) race. bunch of us came down to support her.” caught me. I took the lead again and she “I thought I could use my speed to reel Meyers, 35, of South Lyon had about a caught me. With a mile to go, she was leadhim in at the end,” Ruff said. “But he stayed dozen friends with her as she completed the 5K. ing and had a gap on me. But with a halfstrong all the way to the finish line.” “I’m 19 hours post-chemo,” she said. “I mile left, I found out I had breast cancer Jan. 31 and took it Recent EMU graduate Neal Naughton, had surgery Feb. 11. back.” 23, of Walled Lake, timed 15:35 in winning “I started chemo March 13 and just finthe 5K. August Pappas, 16, of Chelsea took ished yesterday,” Meyers continued. “This Rzepecki, second (16:20) and Scott Setzke, 28, of race was my first step toward running anoth30, of Riverview third (16:33). Vincent er marathon. My friends stayed with me the Rochester Jesudowich, 42, of Northville led the maswhole way. took third ters (17:21). With a record turnout of 1,539, the in 39:14. For the women, Erin Webster, 23, of Solstice Run had more souls than ever before. Amy Dearborn was first (18:13), Dani Steinbacher, (The previous high was 1,235 last year.) But Morgan, 24, of Ann Arbor second (20:24) and Chelsea it had a little less sol, taking place a week 41, of Hanson, 26, of Farmington Hills third after the actual summer solstice, the longest Northville (20:37). Robin Mitchell, 42, of Plymouth day of the year. was the (20:44) topped the masters. “I actually did hear a couple people say it top masCash awards were given to the first was a week late for the solstice,” Kyle ters ($75), second ($50) and third ($25) male and O’Brien said. woman female finishers overall, and to top masters O’Brien, 28, an Eastern Illinois University (45:15). ($25) in both races. graduate who now runs for the HansonsBoth runs, presented by Foresters, started Brooks Distance Project, won the men’s 10K. After the at Northville Downs (new this year) but “I liked it,” he said. “The course is really 10K, ended as usual at Ford Field. Pleased with the hilly. You’re always doing something — going which record turnout, race director Alan Whitehead up or down. You can’t let up for a second.” started at said the Solstice Run will add a 10-mile race O’Brien finished in 31:44. Rondell Ruff, 7:30 a.m., next year. 26, of Ann Arbor took second in 32:05, and Hatfield “We’re still keeping the 10K and 5K,” he Jack Dialesandro, 20, of Ravenna was third ran the Among the Solstice emphasized. in 34:01. Eric Green, 40, of Pontiac led all Run events is a popular 8:45 a.m. For more information, go to masters runners in 35:55. 5K. kids run. Ruff, a former 4:02 miler at the www.solsticerun.org. MR 34

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

The Legend, Laingsburg

Record Field Dares Sleepy Hollow Trails By Charles Douglas McEwen LAINGSBURG (8/01/2009) — Dodging branches, leaping over logs and sloshing through mud, a record 708 runners competed in The Legend 5- and 10-mile trail runs at Sleepy Hollow State Park. Running Fit stores present the event. Sleepy Hollow has more 2,600 acres, 228 species of animals, rugged dirt trails and a lot of very touchy trees. “We were constantly ducking under branches, so there was an advantage to being 5’6” tall,” said Rob Basydlo, 42, of Highland, seventh overall in the five-mile. Running the shorter race for the first time, David Schluckebier, 27, of Saginaw and Laingsburg High School senior Amaya Ayers, 17, captured first places overall. “There were a lot of little hills, stumps and roots,” Schluckebier said. “It was a tough course.” Like most entrants, he had mud on his calves when he crossed the finish line. “We went right through a ditch that was knee-deep with water,” Schluckebier explained. His 31:59 time put him comfortably ahead of runner-up Aaron Tait, 16 (33:00) and Peter Hamlington, 27, of Ann Arbor (33:19). Ayers won the woman’s race handily as well, crossing in 38:05. Her closest rivals were Stephanie Kern, 26 (40:09) and Kelly Valente, 29, of Dearborn (40:43). “I was hoping for a little better than 38 (minutes),” Ayers said. “But considering how hard the course was, I think 38 is really good. “If you can run well on this, you can run well on any cross country course,” she said. Both 10-mile winners knew what they were getting into. Tyler Noble, 18, of Shepherd and Helen Fuller, 26, of Ann Arbor had run the longer Legend event in 2007. Noble finished third that year, Fuller second among the women. This year, Fuller took the lead early and did not see another woman until she finished. Noble had more competition. “There was a pack of four of us for the first few miles,” he said. “Then another guy (Kenny Wall, 19, of Flushing) and I broke away. Right at five (miles), I took the lead. I just tried hold on for the last five miles.” Noble finished in 1:00:30. B.J. Pankow, 25, of Williamston passed Wall and took second in 1:00:42. Wall claimed third in 1:01:23. “I caught Kenny at the seven-mile mark, but I kind of knew I wasn’t going to catch Tyler,” Pankow said. “I kept getting smacked in the face by branches.” Fuller paced the women in 1:13:45. Next came Casey Campbell, 15 (1:15:56) and Beth Ciangi, 44, of Lowell (1:17:14). For complete results, go to www.runlegend.com. MR

Running Home

By Anthony Targan

am a Michigander, having lived here for 20 years. But I still consider Schuylerville, N.Y., my hometown, even though it’s been 30 years since I graduated from “Sky High,” the local school.

During a recent return visit, I decided to go back in time by running the five miles from my parents’ house in Greenwich (that’s “Green-witch,” not “Gren-itch” as they say in Connecticut or England) to my boyhood home. To understand the time warp I was about to enter, you need to know a little about Schuylerville. In 1777, the British surrendered at the Battle of Saratoga (as the town was then known), which marked the turning point of the American Revolution. Since then, it’s been mostly downhill for my little town. In the 1970s, the paper mills closed and the farms withered. In 1990, the New York Times published an article entitled “Schuylerville Stands Still” citing the town as an example of rural “rot and disrepair.” When I brought my young bride from Michigan to visit my one-stoplight town, she shook her head and said, “I just cannot believe you came from here.” Fast forward to the present. It is a crisp morning as I run west out of Greenwich into farm country. Down one steep hill I see a tractor with a sign on it that says, “These people feed you three times a day. Please slow down!” Past Middle Falls, I see the ruins of Duffy’s Tavern where my brother’s band — he and friend Marty — played. Passing a squashed possum on the road, I recall that Marty used to collect roadkill for his animal skull collection. I continue past the Washington County fairgrounds, where Mom drew people’s portraits during the fair while we ate cotton candy and watched the tractor pull. As I near Schuylerville, I run down a huge hill with a 9-percent grade that I know will be hell on the way back. I cross the Hudson River bridge

near the beach where we never swam on account of the pollution. I pass Fort Hardy Park, the site of the British surrender, where I played Little League baseball. Once, after diving for a grounder at third base, I discovered an Indian arrowhead, a boyhood treasure. Now I am entering “downtown” Schuylerville. I turn left at the stoplight on Broad Street. But something is different. I stop running and slowly spin as I take in the panorama. It is hard to believe my eyes. As I begin to jog slowly by the storefronts, my ‘70s flashback is juxtaposed with a shiny new reality. Izzy Proller’s Five-and-Dime has been transformed into the Panacea Day Spa! Shapiro’s Clothing Store, where I got my first pair of Keds, is now Mac’s Diner, bustling with the breakfast crowd. Miller’s Bar, where I had my first beer at age 16, is an upscale art gallery. And “Roadkill” Marty has his own store now: Macica’s Violins! Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Schuylerville has undergone a mini-renaissance. Smiling incredulously, I continue my run, turning up a steep hill until I reach my old home at 46 Burgoyne St. Time has weathered the cedar shingles that Dad and I painstakingly hammered one summer, but the house looks good. Somehow the front yard — our Wiffleball field — has shrunk. I complete my ascent to the top of the hill, stopping at the Saratoga Battle Monument, a 155-foot obelisk. There is a vacant niche on the back of the monument — a silent tribute to Benedict Arnold, a war hero at Saratoga before he disgraced himself as a traitor. As teenagers, we would blithely scale the monument’s stone face, climbing 15 feet up into the vacant niche to commit our own acts of rebellion. We were as fearless as Arnold, who led his troops with the battle cry, “Rush on, my brave boys, rush on.” Gazing up there now, I wonder how I ever had the courage — or lack of sense — to get up that high. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Morgan Uceny is Back on Track

By Anthony Targan

time. My fitness suffered as a result, and I was running about seven to 10 seconds slower in the 800 than I had in high school. The summer following my freshman year I began a more serious training regimen, so that when I started my sophomore year I was an entirely new person and athlete. I received my first All-American honors during the indoor season of my sophomore year and continued to improve each subsequent year.

Michigan Runner’s Anthony Targan talks with Olympic hopeful Morgan Uceny about her Indiana roots, the Michigan professional running community and her recent return to competition after recovering from an injury. Anthony Targan (AT): So Morgan, were you “born to run”? Did you always love running?

AT: So how did an Indiana girl end up in Michigan?

Morgan Uceny (MU): Actually, I hated running at first. I detested running when I was in junior high and only disliked it somewhat less in high school. My passion was basketball, but unfortunately my talents were in running and not in basketball.

MU: When I was 14, I entered a one-mile “fun run” at our annual Blueberry Stomp Festival in Plymouth, Ind. As my father drove me to the start, I was bawling and pleading for him to turn around because I was terrified of racing. I can be pretty stubborn; the tears won that day and I did not have to race. AT: Describe your high school running experience.

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

AT: Tell me about your first racing experience. How old were you?

MU: My coach at Cornell put me in contact with University of Michigan coach Mike McGuire because he thought that I would adapt pretty easily to his training program and style. One of the most influential aspects of my training at Michigan has been the presence of my training partners. Being able to work out with strong athletes has helped push me to my limits. AT: Who are some of your training partners?

Morgan Uceny wins her 800m semi final heat, U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Track & Field, Eugene, Oregon, June 2008.

MU: I was successful immediately at cross-country and track. I placed third in the Indiana state cross-country meet my freshman year and ran some of my fastest track times for my high school career. I was not as successful my sophomore year and wasn’t enjoying running. I quit cross-country so I could focus my efforts on basketball as I was still hoping to play hoops in college. In my junior track season, I was back on top and won the state 800-meter title. I had a lot of great teammates who kept me motivated and it felt great winning races and receiving recognition for my efforts. AT: How did you decide to go to Cornell University?

MU: The campus is one of the most beautiful in the country and I knew I would receive one of the best educational experiences in the world. Also, Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships, so they could not force me to participate in cross-country. I probably could have transferred elsewhere and received a scholarship, but I love Cornell and could not have imagined spending my college career anywhere else. AT: How did you handle the transition from high school to college competition? MU: My freshman year at Cornell held high hopes, but I was soon distracted by college life and living independently for the first

Watch the interview and the race as Morgan Uceny and her training partners demolish the 4 x 800 relay meet record at the 2008 Hillsdale “Gina” Relays: http://michiganrunner.tv/2008hillsdale/ 36

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

MU: Last year our main group consisted of Katie Waits, Andrea Parker, Nicole Edwards, Anna Willard and Lindsay Gallo, although Anna and Lindsay have moved. AT: What is it like to be a professional runner? Can you really earn a living by running?

MU: It is amazing. I get paid by Reebok to do something that I love. (Yes, I love to run now!) It has given me the opportunity to follow my dream and do things and see places that I might not otherwise. Many people just don’t think of running as a professional sport because it is so different from basketball, football or other “American” sports. Track and field is much bigger in Europe, where it’s amazing to see huge crowds gather at a track meet. You absolutely can make a living by running professionally, but contracts vary greatly on the level you compete at. AT: How many other pros are there in Ann Arbor? MU: There are about eight men and women who I know of sponsored by shoe companies. There’s another handful of post-collegiate athletes who still train and compete, but either are not sponsored or run for various group sponsors. We pretty much all train and compete against one another at some point in the season.

AT: What is your training regimen now? MU: Currently I am tallying about 55 to 60 miles a week. We work out a few times a week where we specialize in speed or strength areas. The remaining days are recovery runs and once a week I do a long run of 10 to 12 miles. I also lift twice a week and do drills, core exercises, strides and so on. AT: What are your short-term and long-term goals? MU: My main goal for this season is to make the U.S. World Championship team that competes in Berlin this summer. Qualifying is the same as the Olympic Trials; I will need to place in the top three at the U.S. Championships and run 4:06 or faster in the 1500 meters or sub2:00 in the 800. (Note: Uceny placed sixth in the U.S. 800-meter finals June 28 in Eugene, Ore. Her 2:01:32 was just 0.53 seconds out of first place and 0.20 seconds out of third). My long-term goal is to make the Olympic team in 2012. AT: How did it feel to come so close to your goal but not make the 2008 Olympic team? MU: It was disheartening to place fourth in the 1500, because it was a race that I had just started to do and didn’t feel very familiar or confident in my abilities at that distance. Following the race I knew that I had so much more to give, which left a very bitter taste in my mouth. AT: Tell me about your injury and the recovery process. MU: I had a biomechanical imbalance in my kneecap caused by improper foot support. I missed 2.5 months of training, my first significant time off from running. It was a very slow recovery process, as I did not want to have a relapse or injure something else since I had been out so long. I was smart about listening to my body, taking more days off to readjust to the pounding and mileage. I’m still nowhere near peak fitness three months later, but each workout brings me one step closer. AT: What’s it like to be back competing after such a long layoff? MU: I have not had any great races yet. I am still playing catch-up and have work to do to get my fitness level where it needs to be. It’s been good to race to see what I can do, but I need to gear up for the U.S. Championships. AT: What motivates you to train so hard? MU: Myself. More than anything I love to challenge and push myself to limits and then beyond them. I like to compete, but the satisfaction I feel at the end of a great race is not from beating someone else, but from overcoming my own physical and mental obstacles.

Morgan Uceny Profile Age: College: Hometown: Residence: Coach: Affiliation: Event:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

24 (March 10, 1985) Cornell University 2007 Plymouth, Ind. Ann Arbor Mike McGuire Reebok 800m (2:00.01 PB, 2008); 1500m (4:06.93, 2008)

3rd, 2009 Heusden KBC Nacht, 800m 2nd, 2009 Lucerne Spitzen Leichtathletik, 1500m 6th, 2009 U.S. Outdoor Championships 800m 1st, 2008 Heusden KBC Nacht, 800m 1st, 2008 Lucerne Spitzen Leichtathletik, 1500m 4th, 2008 Olympic Trials 1500m 6th, 2008 Olympic Trials 800m 3rd, 2008 USA Indoor Championships 2007 Pan American Games team member, 800m 6th, 2007 NCAA Championships, 800m 4th, 2007 USA Championships, 800m 6-time Heptagonal Champion, 800m 4-time All American 2002 Indiana state high school champion, 800m

AT: Do you ever consider competing at longer distances? MU: Absolutely not! I have just started to move up to the 1500 from the 800, which has been a pretty big change, so I do not foresee myself moving up to any other distance. Once I am done running professionally I would like to tackle some marathons and road races, but it will most likely be as a recreational runner just out enjoying a run and the accompanying pain, which runners have all learned to accept as a part of life. AT: I have to ask you about the beaded necklace that you always wear when racing. What’s the significance of the lion? MU: Since junior high, I used to wear multiple color-coordinated strings of Mardi Gras beads along with my own hand-crafted beaded plastic necklace. That was a little excessive, so now I just wear the necklace. I added the lion mostly to balance out the very non-intimidating effect of bright plastic beads. I also used to wear tall, red-and-white-striped soccer socks when I wasn’t allowed to wear the necklace for competition. I have always been a little eccentric like that, whether it was my socks, hair or something else. MR

Tooth, Fang and Claw Swamp Run, Pinckney

Tooth, Fang and Claw Swamp Run Ends in Bash By Katie Kelly-Noble PINCKNEY (6/3/09) — A rickety bridge, a 10K run and pizza. These are not three things that usually encompass a running event. But Running Fit co-owner Randy Step is not your average race director. Venues for the Running Fit Tooth, Fang and Claw Swamp Run Party race were dirt roads and swamplands: the former a place for a 10K run, the latter for pizza and refreshments. The race was mostly for fun, but some of the proceeds were donated to the Pinckney Recreation Area. Michigan Runner of the Year Hank Risley of Grand Rapids finished first in 36:00. “It’s hilly out here,” said Risley, “getting back into running again” after completing the Bayshore Marathon May 23. The race served as Risley’s “Wheel Wednesday” workout. Women’s winner Pam Nauta of Greenville (46:30) said Risley convinced her to attend. “We’ve done Dances with Dirt,” she said. “That’s what basically got us out here. “The trails are fun and it’s a fun group of people,” Nauta said. Finishers walked carefully over the swamp-spanning bridge to reach pizza and refreshments. Step looked like a very relaxed race director as runners sat around a bonfire and enjoyed the warm June evening. The party continued until midnight. The event was another success, Step said. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Cooley Law School 5K Race for Education, Lansing

Hot Times at Cooley 5K

Flirt with Dirt, Novi

Flirt with Dirt Trails are Test

Photo by Jennie McCafferty

By Ron Marinucci

Runners lining up for the Cooley Law School 5K include Steve Menovcik (197), Dan Dixon (86), Jeremy Doody (71), Eric Stuber (461), Thomas Welch (349), and Dan Douches (73). By Katie Kelly-Noble LANSING (6/5/09) — The weather was perfect to be a spectator at the Cooley Law School 5K. But for the 463 runners, it was hot business. When Mayor Virg Bernero fired the starter’s gun at 7:30 p.m., temperatures hovered at 75 degrees with no sign of backing off. As racers came through the halfway point of the double-loop course, the strain of the heat was evident on their faces. Dan Dixon, 45, of Jackson grabbed the overall men’s title in 16:22. Dixon, second at the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run 5K in 16:07 less than one week earlier, said his Cooley time was the slowest 5K he’d run all year. But was he happy with his performance? “Sure, I won,” he said. Manchester College runner Alec Womboldt, 20, of Dewitt was right behind

Dixon in 16:25. “It’s a nice race, downtown with a ton of people,” Womboldt said. “I just wanted to see what I had in me after track season.” Steve Menovcik, 40, of Grand Ledge took third overall in 16:45. He was also the male masters winner. Although zapped by the heat, Sharon Becker of Fowler was the first woman to cross the line, running 19:47. “That is my normal time, but I didn’t feel good,” she said. Becker has run most of the Playmakers Greater Lansing Series races and plans to complete more throughout the summer. Chris Vincent, 25 of Jackson placed second overall and was the female masters winner, running 20:08. Theresa Stanko, 47, of Haslett, was the third woman in 20:40. As the sweat-soaked field filed across the finish line, the water stations were a popular hangout. In any conditions, the race provided a festive atmosphere for downtown Lansing. MR

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Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

NOVI (6/13/09) — Flirt with Dirt offers 5K and 10K trail races in the land of malls and mansions. This year’s registration closed three weeks before the races, with limited parking at Lakeside Park the culprit in restricting numbers. Nonetheless, 466 runners (155 in the 5K, 311 in the 10K) took on the trails’ challenge. The courses provide real off-road racing. Rocks and roots underfoot, low limbs and branches overhead, and many twists, turns and switchbacks mark the mostly narrow, wooded trails. The only hill of significance is short but steep at the finish. However sharp upand down-grades catch runners’ attention throughout. Past years have witnessed difficult running conditions: humidity so thick clouds formed under the canopy of trees; lastminute storms felling so many trees that the races were delayed to remove them; week-long rains that turned courses into quagmires. This year saw overcast skies with a few sprinkles, little wind and temperatures in the 50s. Although humidity was high, it was as close to ideal weather as runners are likely to find. The 7:30 a.m. 5K start and 8 a.m. 10K gun allowed Erin O’Mara to run both races for the second year in a row. She won the women’s 5K (22:39, third overall), caught her breath for a few minutes, then won the 10K (42:40, fourth overall) for the second year in a row. “It’s a lot of fun,” O’Mara gasped between races. “I love trail running. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the scenery instead of just watching the competition “There were a couple slick turns out there, but compared to last year the course wasn’t bad,” she said. Jeff Nielson ran his first Flirt and “drew my first blood!” he grinned, showing off a bloody souvenir on his right leg. Nielson runs Maybury State Park trails nearby once a week. Of Flirt, he said, “The course is great, a real challenge. I thought I was moving pretty fast, but …” he shrugged. He was “moving pretty fast,” finishing second in his age group (32:14). “It was a lot of fun. I’ll do it again,” he said. Twins Kelly Valente (25:26) and Teresa Cook (25:28) finished 2-3 in their age group. “We did it last year, too,” Valente said. “It wasn’t too slippery (this year); it was pretty

Ophelia Bonner 5K, Flint

Hensley Returns for 2,000th Race By Bill Khan

ago. The creek crossing became more challenging after heavy rain caused the water to rise above the small wooden bridges runners normally crossed.

FLINT (7/16/09) — It’s the people who have kept Harrison Hensley of Pinckney coming back race after race for 31 years.

“For 200 or 300 feet, you had to wade in water above your knees,” Hensley said.

Not the running itself. Not the competition. Not the numerous awards he’s accumulated.

It was the presence of one person in particular who made his 2,000th race extra special. Waiting in a wheelchair at the finish line of the Ophelia Bonner 5K in downtown Flint was Hensley’s wife and long-time race volunteer, Dolores. Dolores Hensley is slowly recovering from a stroke she suffered last November. She was joined at the line by Harrison’s daughter, Marshan Alton, who held up a sign congratulating her father as he approached the finish.

In the Bonner race, he was the oldest finisher and the only one in the 75and-over age division. He posted a time of 40:10.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“It’s the camaraderie,” said Hensley, 76. “Runners normally are really good people.”

“Wonderful,” Hensley said about having his wife there. “She’s my main man.”

“I’ll beat anyone I can, but I’m not doing good now,” Hensley said. “I’m out of practice with my wife not feeling well.” A wrong turn near the halfway point impacted the 5K race, causing leader Nicole Falvo of Grand Blanc to settle for second place among women with a time of 21:01.

Harrison Hensley celebrates his 2,000th race with wife Dolores (seated) and daughter Marshan Alton.

He planned to make his 2,000th race the Volkslaufe July 4 in Frankenmuth, but Dolores wasn’t feeling well enough to make the trip. Because of her illness, the popular Run Thru Hell was cancelled this year; the Hensleys are race directors. “I’ve got to take care of her,” Hensley said. “It would have been our 30th year. It’s sad. If she’s all right next year, we’ll do it.” Hensley made it to 2,000 races despite getting a late start in the sport. One day after his 46th birthday, he entered his first race. He didn’t exactly ease his way into racing, doing a 10-mile run from Whitmore Lake to Brighton Aug. 11, 1978.

solid.” “It was good and hard and we could run past some of the slippery spots,” Cook added. Noting the limited registration, she said, “I wish there were more runners.” Trails races normally aren’t PR courses. Flirt, with its twists, turns and switchbacks, narrow trails, sharp undulations and obstacles, is no exception. But there were still good performances. In the 5K, the Mahakian brothers, Jason and Chad, placed 1-2 (22:17, 22:22).

His second race was a half marathon and his third was the Detroit Free Press Marathon. “I got into it quick,” he said. Over the years, Hensley has taken advantage of the busy Flint area racing schedule to add to his total. His 1,000th race was the Davison Festival of Flags 5K in the 1990s. “The Flint people put on a real nice race,” Hensley said. “(Mark) Bauman and (John) Gault do a real good job. They’re a class act.” Hensley’s most memorable race was the Mud Creek Crawl in Sanford about 10 years

O’Mara was only 15 seconds behind, pacing the women. Rachel Ingle was runner-up (24:42). Ron Marvin (24:24, sixth overall) and Dawn Chatman (27:42) were the top masters. Of the 155 finishers, 94 were women. The 10K champion was Peter Hamlington (39:59), finishing a minute and a half ahead of runner-up Alex Michaels. O’Mara was followed by Ann Benton (44:10). Masters winners were Tim Densmore (43:35, fifth overall) and Carol

Falvo had won the Flint Journal’s Catch Your Breath race five days earlier in 18:34. Clio’s Paul Taylor overcame the extra four blocks of running to win in 20:45. He ran 18:04 a month earlier in Flushing. The wrong turn impacted only the first three runners. Rebecca Mol of Flint ran the correct course and held off Falvo to win the women’s race in 20:54. The 8K run came off without a hitch, with Flint’s Joe Maki winning in 25:43. Mary Wiesen of Grand Blanc got her first road race victory with a time of 36:30. Wiesen, a former basketball player at Flint Powers Catholic High School and Hillsdale College, said she used to run as “punishment.” “It’s just something to stay competitive now that basketball is all over,” she said. “There are no good competitive leagues around here, so I started running.” MR Westphal (50:55). “This is not the world’s longest 5K,” said race director Randy Step. “I ran one that was 13.1 miles. But it was 3.4 miles. “That’s the way it should be,” Step went on. “Trail races are always long. And we don’t charge extra for it.” Complete results can be found at www.runflirt.com. Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at ron_marinucci@comcast.net. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Steve’s Run, Dowagiac

Kalamazoo Klassic

Youth Served at Unique Steve’s Run

By Daniel G. Kelsey

DOWAGIAC (7/25/09) — Youth will be served at Steve’s Run. Year after year, when entrants come to the historic Dowagiac Train Depot for packet pickup and registration, teens and young adults gather in high proportion. Among competitors come to the starting line along South Front Street, in a press of hundreds between vendors setting up booths for the day’s festival, kids just past the age of picture books line up behind athletes at the age for textbooks. It’s an affirming narrative for an event dedicated to cancer survivors. It’s an appropriate field for a race named for Steve Briegel, who succumbed to cancer in 1990, two years after earning a degree from Dowagiac’s Southwestern Michigan College. In the 5K at this year’s 35th annual Steve’s Run, on the women’s side, Kristina Olsen, 21, of Jackson won the title with a time of 18:39. Maddie Woods, 12, of Osceola, Ind., finished second in 19:40. Teenagers took the next 15 places. On the men’s side, Justin Kowalski, 23, of Mishawaka, Ind. ran a 15:56 to claim the crown. He was the oldest of the top seven finishers, five of whom were teens. Kowalski, a five-year Steve’s Run veteran, reigned as champion for the first time after losing out in a photo finish in 2007. In the 10K, on the women’s side, Mary Ballinger, 21, of Chesterton, Ind., ran away from the field with a 36:58. Her nearest challenger trailed by three-and-a-half minutes. The top five were 21 and under. On the men’s side, Craig Padgett, 19, of Mishawaka led all comers with a 32:48 for his second Steve’s Run championship in a row.

The top five, all from northern Indiana, were 22 and under. Padgett said Steve’s Run was his one summer race. His goal is to break the Indiana State University 8K school record of 24:17 in crosscountry this fall. “Right now I’m building up toward 100 miles a week,” he said. Padgett admired the Steve’s Run 10K course. It wound over a golf course, cemetery grounds, trails with a stone wall and bales for obstacles, through woods, the SMC campus lawn and walkways, country roads, an arched bridge over a railroad and city streets. It dropped into and climbed from deep hollows in the woods in miles two and three. Such a course has the rolling contour to punish a runner with weary legs. Despite all the above, age won’t be denied at Steve’s Run. Especially when points are up for grabs in this magazine’s Runner of the Year race series. Kelly Harris, 43, of Detroit, said she came on a quest for masters division points. She succeeded, posting a 45:42, second to the 43:36 of Melissa Bergeron, 44, of Mona Shores. Mike Stone, 58, of Southfield made good on his pursuit of seniors division points, posting a 44:22. He finished third behind the 43:42 of Bruce Watson, 61, of Grand Rapids and the 43:52 of Jose Santos, 58, of Holland. Stone traveled to Dowagiac as part of the same contingent as Harris. “We’re going to make it to seven series races before we’re done,” he said. No other race will have quite the character as Steve’s Run, with its signs along the way encouraging cancer survivors, its spectators calling out the race’s slogan, “Fire up!” or its volunteers at the finish handing out washcloths, sopping wet and cool, to runners with weary legs. MR

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Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

K-zoo Klassic Adds Features, Grows 23 Percent By Bonnie Sexton

KALAMAZOO (6/20/09) – The 31st annual Kalamazoo Klassic added a fresh twist and saw entries grow 23 percent. A total of 1,284 participants finished the 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk and/or new pump-and-run event. In addition, close to 300 children crossed the finish line of the Kids Klassic 1K Fun Run Friday before the races. This year’s 10K served as the Road Runners Club of America regional championship and the 5K the RRCA state championship. Next year’s Klassic 10K will be the RRCA national championship, offering athletes chances to win U.S. titles in open, masters and grand masters divisions. Jason Drudge of Kalamazoo became the third person in Klassic history to win both the 10K and 5K races. Past double winners were Kyle Mena in 2008 and Matt Mayer in 2001. Drudge won the 10K in 34:32, a 5:34 pace, than climbed back up Maple Hill to the start of the 5K, recovering in time to win in 16:23. Jennifer Cathey (Shaffer), the 2007 women’s winner, returned to capture the 10K in 41:00. Heidi Saunders, 5K queen from 2000 to 2004, reclaimed that title in 18:10. The men’s masters division also landed a double winner. Joe Reitz captured the 10K in 37:28, then the 5K in 17:58. Women’s masters wins went to Lisa Vergutz of Niles in the 10K (44:37) and Michigan Runner’s 2008 Senior Runner of the Year Peggy Zeeb in the 5K (20:01). RRCA 5K state championships were awarded to Saunders (open female), Drudge (open male), Bonnie Sexton (masters female), Reitz (masters male), Zeeb (grand masters female) and Tom Houser (grand masters male). RRCA 10K regional titlists were Cathey (open female), Drudge (open male), Vergutz (masters female), Reitz (masters male), Angela Elhammer (grand masters female) and Lou Hoekstra (grand masters male). In the new pump-and-run event, participants benchpressed a percentage of their body weight determined by their age division on Friday, then returned Saturday to run the 5K. For each rep bench pressed, 30 seconds was deducted from participants’ 5K times. The men’s open winner was Jonathan Kay, who pressed 24 reps and ran a 17:03, for an adjusted time of 5:03. Linda VanderCook led the women with 30 reps and a 25:33, for an adjusted time of 10:33. Tony Ketchmark and Heather Tanja were the men’s and women’s ages 40-49 winners, while Bob Schuiteboer and Bernadette Miller were 50-and-over champs. The Klassic, organized by Kalamazoo Area Runners and MRC Industries, is a tradition that’s gained notoriety for its unique attributes. The 5K, which begins atop Maple Hill, provides an exceptionally-fast USATF-certified course with its net descent and downhill-mile finish. The USATF-certified 10K also enjoys a net descent, but includes a nearly-half-mile climb to the top of Maple Hill in

Volkslaufe, Frankenmuth

Fecht, Pomaranski Cop Volkslaufe Crowns By Charles Douglas McEwen

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

setting a new standard in the Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland 10K. “I felt strong but not FRANKENMUTH (7/4/09) -real fast today,” said Snyder, Matt Fecht returned from a 31, who runs for the broken foot to dash away Rochester Hills-based with the 34th annual Hansons-Brooks Distance Volkslaufe adidas 20K run, Project. “It was great weather presented by Frankenmuth for running, though.” Jaycees. Snyder timed 30:46. “Coming off my injury in Next came Adam Roach, 25, March, I wasn’t sure what to of Saginaw (32:09) and Austin expect,” said Fecht, 25, of Whitelaw, 16, of Monroe Warren. “I’m only seven or (32:17). eight weeks into my trainGabrielle Anzalone, a ing.” Grand Blanc High School junHe pressed the pace ior-to-be who won last year’s nonetheless for the first few 5K, moved up to the 10K this miles, sharing leadership with year. There she faced defendMike Scannell, 47, of Grand ing women’s champ Jen Rock, Blanc and Jerome Recker, 26, 19, of Macomb. of Lansing. Then Fecht made “I went out pretty fast,” his move. said Anzalone, 15. “I knew Jen “I took it at about four would be there and she really miles and I didn’t look pushed me. I felt her coming up back,” he said. on my shoulder at the 5K mark Fecht finished with a and I knew I just had to go!” 1:05:40 PR, far ahead of runGo she did. Anzalone ner-up Leo Foley, 28, of established a PR with her Howell (1:08:11) and Mike 37:41 win. Rock also collected Camilleri, 30, of Highland a PR, finishing in 38:02. (1:08:49). “She ran a really smart race,” Scannell, who holds 20K Volkslaufe 20K winner Matt Fecht (bib no. 425) leads the Rock said of Anzalone. and 10K masters course “When I came up on her field early in the race. records here, was the only around 5K, she really picked over-40 runner to break 70 it up.” minutes, placing fifth overall The unseasonably-cool weather helped Gillian Nordquist, 22, of Clarkston in 1:09:58. her. “Early this morning, it was in the 40s claimed third in 38:27. Fecht, third in last year’s 20K, had taken and I thought it might actually be too cold,” second and third in the 10K the prior two Pomaranski said. “But it was perfect once we Hansons-Brooks runner Patrick Rizzo, years. “I’m happy to finally get a win here,” he got out there.” 25, set a new men’s record winning The said. “Now I get a big beer stein instead of Rebecca Rudey, 23, of East Lansing, also Bavarian Inn Restaurant 5K in 14:37, besting those smaller ones.” running her first 20K, placed second in Mark Smith’s 14:42 standard set in 1992. All overall Volklsaufe winners are given 1:17:45. Next came Timianne Walrath, 35, of A pair of 21-year-olds followed him; Steven three-liter German beer steins; top-three ageFenton (1:23:55). Catherine Frawley, 43, led Genther of Laingsburg took second in 15:06 group placers get smaller steins. Andrea the masters in 1:27:17. and Derek Stone of Metamora third in 15:22. Pomaranski, 27, of Farmington Hills also Rudey had beaten Pomaranski in Lansing Bridget Bennett of Mt. Pleasant (18:39) came to Frankenmuth looking to win a big Capital City Half Marathon last September. topped fellow 17-year-old Francie Phillips of stein. “I wanted one for Dad,” she said. The winner has stepped up her game since Bay City (19:30) in the women’s 5K. Amanda Pomaranski did more than win the first then, Rudey said. Roache, 21, of Clio took third in 19:34. 20K she’s entered; she came within 64 sec“Andrea ran an awesome race. She got The Volkslaufe included a 5K competitive onds of Cheri Sly’s women’s course record of out quickly and kept a good pace. She was walk, won by Corey Peyerk, 26, of Royal 1:13:31 set in 1988. moving!” her rival said. Oak (25:29) and Debbie Topham, 56, of “I knew I was close, but I wasn’t right on Mayville (28:31). it,” said Pomaranski, who finished in Todd Snyder, who won last year’s 20K in For complete race results, go to 1:14:35. “I just wanted to run relaxed and a new men’s record, came within a minute of www.volkslaufe.org. MR see how fast I could go.”

the middle as it loops the 5K course twice. Runners can run both events and loop the course three times for the ultimate challenge. The Klassic serves as a fundraiser for

MRC Industries, an organization offering individualized skill building, advocacy and a broad array of services and programs that promote productivity, independence, integra-

tion and a sense of self-respect for persons with disabilities. This year’s event raised approximately $34,500 towards those ends. MR

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Midwest Meet of Champions, Jackson

Michigan Boys are Midwest Meet Champs By Grant Lofdahl JACKSON (6/12-13/09) — Rarely do all-star meets have the feel and excitement of a great dual-meet showdown between equally-matched rivals. That was exactly the situation at the 2009 Midwest Meet of Champions, however, as Team Michigan edged Team Ohio by 3.5 points in a meet that came down to the 1600-meter relay. The Michigan foursome of Steven Murphy, Darius Davis, Brendan Lagios and Tommy Brinn was narrowly beaten by the Ohio team 3:12.26 to 3:12.66, but beat Indiana and thus scored the points needed to finish the meet with a 171.5 total. Team Ohio totaled 168 points as Michigan claimed the Midwest meet trophy for the first time in 11 years. Indiana placed third with 133.5. The Michigan girls came up against a buzz saw in Team Ohio, which racked up 223 points to Michigan’s 173. Indiana was third with 75. Michigan was led by Romulus’ Christienne Linton and Ann Arbor Pioneer’s Ariel Roberts in the meet, which pits elite senior competitors from each state in head-to-head competition. Linton

and making it oh-so-close to a new PR of 5-11, as she won the event by three inches. “I wish I’d got 5-10 at states,” said Roberts. “I was supposed to do the 300 hurdles here too, but I decided to just concentrate on high jump and I did well. It was really cool knowing and seeing all the great athletes from all three states. It was a great experience and I’m glad I came.” The Michigan girls also won the 800 relay with Nicole Black, Ashlee Abraham, Adella King and Corrie Castro holding off Ohio by one-hundredth of a second. In the distance events, Team Michigan was dominant. Alyssa Osika, Monica Barnes, Autumn Cleverly and Jerisha Tucker topped Ohio by four one-hundredths in one of the most exciting races of the day. Michigan also claimed first in the 800(Becca Addison of Grand Haven), 1600(Courtney Calka of Livonia Stevenson) and 3200-meters runs. In the 3200, Cadillac’s Kaitlyn Patterson and Grand Rapids Northview’s Carly Plank pulled away from the field mid-race and dueled until the last lap, when Patterson pulled away to win. Both girls ran large PRs, with Patterson at 10:48.14 and Plank

Michigan received first-place points in the sprints from the 800-relay team of Aaron Taylor, Niko Richey, Christian Jessie and Kevin Davis in a smoking-fast time of 1:25.80 that just missed a meet record. Neighborhood rivals Jarius Saunders of Rochester and Taylor of Rochester Adams went 12 in the 200 dash, while Sparta’s Brandon VanDriel picked up an unexpected runner-up finish in a 100meter race in which no Michigan athlete was seeded higher than fifth. “I feel pretty good about it,” said VanDriel of his 10.85 time. “It’s better than what I ran at states. Out of the three states, that (finishing second) surprised me.” In the distance races, Mattawan’s Jeff MacMillan (3200) and Midland Dow’s Stephen Walker (1600) both scored key points in finishing second as well, but in the 800 it was all Michigan. Runners from the mitten went 1-3-5, with Otsego’s Tommy Brinn setting a new meet and all-time state record of 1:49.27. “That was my goal; I wanted to run a 54to 55-second (first 400) and get a 1:49, so it worked out perfect,” said Brinn, who pushed

While the Michigan girls were setting records and enjoying PRs, the boys were engaged in a nail-biter of a meet where every point was critical. won both the 100 hurdles and the long jump, but was unsatisfied with her performances in those events. “I didn’t know where I was going to be,” said Linton. “I know my competition in Michigan, but adding two other states, it was the unknown. It was interesting. The 100 hurdles wasn’t so great; I wanted to break 14 seconds today but that didn’t happen. “I have the 300 hurdles left and I know lane six (Ohio’s Nicole Pachol) runs in the 41s. It’s going to be pretty close.” As it turned out, Pachol fell to third behind Brittany Calhoun of Grand Blanc, as Linton (who was named Team Michigan’s captain) blazed down the home stretch and won by nearly 1.5 seconds, setting a new state record of 42.49 seconds. Roberts, meanwhile, had a solid effort in placing third in the long jump. She then turned to what is normally her best event, the high jump, hoping to make up for what she felt was a poor performance at the state meet. She did that and more, soaring over 5-10

at 10:50.26. “This is the first time ever that I’ve been able to run the two-mile without running something else before it, and the weather was perfect,” said Patterson. “I sat for three laps, then I thought ‘I’m going to go for it.’ I knew it was just me and Carly, and I kept doing some surges, but she stayed with me until the last lap.” While the Michigan girls were setting records and enjoying PRs, the boys were engaged in a nail-biter of a meet where every point was critical. Ohio racked up big points in the jumps, but Michigan countered in the throwing events with the duo of Allendale’s Zack Hill and Portage Northern’s Andrew Evans. Hill won the shot put and placed second in the discus, while Evans won the discus and came in fourth in the shot. Hill, the captain for the Michigan boys, was happy with his performance and said the meet as a great experience. “I was feeling pretty good in shot put,” said Hill, who came into the meet seeded second in shot and fourth in disc. “But in discus I didn’t think I would get this high. It’s been good and all the coaches are really nice.”

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

himself to the point of getting sick after his record-setting run. “It hit me like a stone afterwards. I was expecting it to be pretty fast and it was.” While Flushing’s Jeff Kline didn’t win any event, he may have epitomized the team-first attitude that helped carry the Michigan boys to the overall victory. Kline suffered through painful shin splints in the long jump, finishing third, then picked up a sixth-place point in the 300 hurdles despite filling in on late notice in an event in which he is still a neophyte. “I was just trying to compete in the 300 hurdles, because it was only the third time I’ve run them,” said Kline. “Long jump was pretty disappointing; it was a foot and a half off my best. “I told them if there’s any other events like a 400 or 300 hurdles, I’d do them. Someone dropped off, they asked if I’d do it and I said yeah. It was fun come to a meet like this and compete in two events.” The meet, held at Jackson’s Withington Stadium, will move to Fort Wayne, Ind., next season, when Michigan’s best will again take on the top seniors from our neighbors to the south. MR

IAAF World Youth Championships, Sudtriol, Italy July 8-12, 2009 Bridgette Owens, Detroit

Jordan Clark finished in fifth place and set a personal best in the 100m dash quarterfinal, 11.58.

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Jordan Clark, Detroit

On her way to the bronze medal in the 100m hurdles, Bridgette set personal bests in the semifinal, 13.46 and final, 13.39.

World Youth Trials and USA Youth Championships Ypsilanti, Michigan, June 30-July 5, 2009

Matthew Holcomb of Nebraska leads the YM 2000 m steeplechase.

Motor City Track Club Youth Girls won the 4 x 800m relay.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The Michigan chapter of USA Track & Field hosted the 2009 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the World Youth Trials at Rynearson Stadium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Jackie DeVose was meet director and many local folks served as officials and volunteers. Future Olympians put on amazing performances.

Sprinters lean for a chance to represent the USA in Italy.

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2009usa_youth/ Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Triceratops Triathlon, Brighton

Triceratops Tri Runs in Prehistoric Heat

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

BRIGHTON (6/24/09) — A dinosaur might have thrived in the heat at the Triceratops Triathlon, but the 306 human entries just tried to endure the steamy 90-degree night. The event, which consisted of a half-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike and 5K run, was the first in Running Fit’s T-Rex Series, which also included the Pterodactyl Triathlon July 22 and T-Rex Tri Aug. 19. All were at Island Lake Recreation Area (Cretaceous Park?). “The heat was tough,” Erin O’Mara said. “I wore a wetsuit (for the swim) and don’t know if I should have. It took a lot out of me at the start of the race.” O’Mara, an Eastern Michigan University student originally from Goodrich, rallied and won the women’s tri for the second year in a row. “I had a rough swim,” she said. “But I was really happy with my bike.” O’Mara timed 1:10:33. Next came Anne Marie Phillips of Northville (1:11:59), Christina Noble of Brighton (1:14:30), Jane Sanders of White Lake (1:14:45) and Marjorie Verrell of Laingsburg (1:17:33). “You can’t beat a Wednesday night for a triathlon. It leaves the weekend open to do

other races,” O’Mara said.

Ethan Copping won the Triceratops Triathlon.

Ethan Copping, a Tampa Bay, Fla., resident who went to nearby Brighton High School, won the men’s triathlon. He took control with the fastest bike in the competition, sprinting through

12.4 miles in 29:13. “The bike is my strength,” he said. “I

ride with guys in Florida who are faster than me, which makes me stronger.” Copping had to hold off Roman Krzyzanowski of Plymouth, whose 18:41 5K was the fastest run in the competition, at the finish. “Roman beat me by 19 seconds Sunday (at the June 21 Island Lake Triathlon),” Copping said. “So I really wanted to beat him today.” Krzyzanowski could see Copping for most the race. “I had him in my cross hairs the whole way, but I never passed him,” Krzyzanowski said. Copping timed 1:04:05, followed by Krzyzanowski in 1:04:39. Next came Matthew Buese (1:07:20), Craig Dolecki of Redford (1:08:20) and Matt Smiarowski of Lapeer (1:08:29). Smiarowski said he is psyched for the rest of the T-Rex Series. “I’m looking forward to coming back in July and improving,” he said. “And improving still more in August.” As awards, Copping and O’Mara received miniature triceratops skulls whose brownish-tinge made them look fossilized. “I definitely don’t have a trophy like this at home,” Copping said. For complete results, go to www.runtrextri.com. MR

Pterodactyl Triathlon, Brighton

Rau, Sophiea Soar at Pterodactyl Tri

BRIGHTON (7/22/2009) — In a couple nailbiters at Running Fit’s Pterodactyl Triathlon, Ryan Rau edged Roman Krzyzanowski by two seconds to win the men’s race, and Laura Sophiea beat Erin O’Mara by 40 seconds for the women’s title. The event, which consisted of a half-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike and 5K run, took place in pouring rain at Island Lake Recreation Area. Most triathletes enjoyed the cool weather. “I love the rain,” Rau said. “It doesn’t get me down at all.” Rau, 29, of Hamburg flew through the course in 1:02:29, just ahead of Krzyzanowski, 38, of Plymouth (1:02:31). Masters champ Tom Fitzsimmons, 41, was third overall in 1:03:37. Krzyzanowski said the roads were a little slick during the bike. “I was careful,” the runner-up said. “It may have cost me a few seconds, but I wanted to walk away from here unscathed. Overall, this weather is much better than 90degree heat.” 44

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Ryan Rau won the Pterodactyl Triathlon.

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Rau said he usually focuses on longer triathlons, but since his girlfriend, Kate Segula, was doing it, he decided to jump in and get his feet (and everything else) wet. “It’s a great atmosphere,” he said. “(Race director) Randy Step and Running Fit do a fantastic job organizing races.” The Pterodactyl Tri was part of Running Fit’s T-Rex Triathlon

Series, which also included the Triceratops Tri in June and the T-Rex Tri in August. Sophiea, 54, of Atlanta, Ga., was also the women’s grand masters winner. “You don’t expect to the win the overall at 54,” she exclaimed. “No way!” O’Mara, 26, of Ypslanti entered having won last year’s T-Rex Tri and this year’s Triceratops, but Sopheia captured the Pterodactyl in 1:08:20 while she crossed next in 1:09:00. Ann Marie Phillips, 48, of Northville placed third in 1:11:26. “I had a great bike and an OK run,” Sophiea said. “I’m sure Erin beat me by three minutes in the run, but as long as I can bike and swim, I usually can survive the run.” The Pterodactyl uses the same course as the Triceratops and the T-Rex triathlons. Kelly Bennett, 34, who took fourth overall among the women (1:11:50), said she looked forward to running the T-Rex Aug. 19. “It will be fun to do another one and see if I can improve my time,” she said. For complete results, go to www.runtrextri.com. MR

September - December 2009 Event Calendar September Tues., September 1 Johnson Park Cross Country 5K

Grass River 5K Trail Run

Bellaire 9:00 am 5KR/W Grass River Natural Area (231) 533-8314 GRNArun@hotmail.com active.com

Grandville 7:00 pm Johnson Park 5KR (616) 257-7818 aheathcoterunner@ yahoo.com

Harrison Community Days 5K Run/Walk

Bay Port 8:00 am 5KR/W (989) 269-8407 50years@lakerschools.org www.laker50thcelebration

Holland Rotary 5K

Laker Pride Glide 5K Walk/Run

Fri., September 4 Feets of Strength 5K Race / Walk Bay City 6:00 pm 5KR/W Riverwalk, JFK Drive (989) 671-1345 nwcac@sbcglobal.net

active.com

Sat., September 5 Allegiance Health Race To Health

Jackson 8:00 am 5MR, 5KR/W, Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run (517) 788-4970 fitnesscouncil.org/ runjackson/

Beal City K of C Chicken BBQ 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk

Harrison 9:00 am Harrison City Park 5KR/W (989) 539-1872 todreeve@hotmail.com

Holland 8:30 am Smallenburg Park 5KR/W (616) 494-5714 dhorner@grpress.com

Labor Day 30K Run & 10K Walk/Run

Milford 8:00 am Bakers Restaurant, 2025 Milford Rd. 30KR, 10KR/W, 1/2 kids run, 30KB, 30K Inline skate Doug Klingensmith (248) 685-7580 / (248) 830-2935 racedirector@ laborday30k.com laborday30k.com Lake Country Half Marathon & 5K

Mt. Pleasant 8:30 am 5KR/W, 1MR/W Knights of Columbus Hall (919) 621-1219 molly.pasch@ greenstonefcs.com

Oconomowoc 8:00 am Crosspoint Communithy Church 13.1MR, 5KR (800) 429-8044 info@ midwestsportsevents.com midwestsportsevents.com

Grand Marais 9:00 am Bayshore Park 5KR (906) 494-2700 ebowen@jamadots.com grandmaraismichigan.com

Newaygo 9:00 am Riverfront Park 5KR/W, 1MFR, 1/2MFR (517) 336-6429 sweeneyk@michigan.gov www.msp.gov

Grand Marais 5K

Grand Marais Junior Triathlon

Grand Marais 11:00 am Beach, downtown Tri: wade/swim, run, bike/trike (906) 494-2700 ebowen@jamadots.com grandmaraismichigan.com

Marshall Run

Mercedes-Benz Classic Mile

Cambridge, ON 3:00 pm Galt Collegiate Institute 1MR, 4 x 400 relay 519) 623-5340 info@ mercedes-benzclassicmile.ca mercedes-benzclassicmile.ca

Michiana Shores 5K

Michiana Shores, IN 9 am 5KR/W Michiana Shores Fire Department (219) 872-1788 msvfd_5k@yahoo.com

Niles Triathlon

Niles 8:30 am Barron Lake, Howard Twp Fire Department Tri: .1.5kW/ 40KB/ 10KR or 200meterS/ 20.9 MB/ 10KB/ 2.5 MR; Du: 5KR/ 20.9MB/ 5MR or 5KR (269) 684-5140

csb@datacruz.com www.triniles.com

Owen Scully Memorial Big Star Lake 15K Run & 5K Walk Baldwin 8:30 am Lake Township Fire Barn 15KR, 5KW

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

bigstar@bestfoot.com bigtstarlake.org

Peter Aliferis Memorial Race

Alpena 8:30 am Alpena Regional Medical Center 13.1MR, 5KR, 2MW, 18.5MB (989) 356-7738 adiamond@agh.org alpenaregionalmedicalcenter.com

Run Beaver Island Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Beaver Island 8:00 am Downtown Beach 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 5KR/W Sharon Suffolk (248) 437-4524 sharon@ goodboyevents.org goodboyevents.org Run Like The Wind

Westland 9:30 am Hines Drive and Ann Arbor Trail 10KR, 5KR (517) 702-0226 cblock@lcc.edu runningfoundation.com

Shared Pregnancy Baby Steps 5K

Lansing 9:00 am Riverfront Park 5KR/W (517) 484-365 sharedpregnancy@msn.com www.sharedpregnancy.org

Witchy Wolf 3

Omer 7:30 pm Sundaes Afternoon 15MR, X-C, 2 person relay (989) 846-6018 hilyards@m33access.com witchywolfrun.com

Sun., September 6 Ed Hansen Memorial Run/Walk

Ontonagon 10 am EDT Fire Hall on River Street 10KR, 5KR (906) 884-8108 jlwaters@chartermi.net northlandrunner.com Eastern time

Grand Marais Triathlon Grand Marais

1:30 pm

Grand Marais City Park Tri: 300-yardS/ 14MB/ 5KR (906) 494-2700 ebowen@jamadots.com grandmaraismichigan.com

Michigan’s Triathlon & Duathlon Championship

Waterford 8:00 am Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Tri: 1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KR or 500meterS/ 20KB/ 5KR or Du: 5KR/ 40KB/ 10KR (231) 546-2229 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Running Waters 5K

Gaylord 8:00 am 5KR/W Ann Wagar (989) 732-4038 downingam@yahoo.com Springbank HalfMarathon and 5K

London, ON 8:00 am Stone Cottage, Springbank Park 13.1 MR, 5KR/W, kids run (519) 672-5928 runners@ runnerschoice.on.ca runnerschoice.on.ca

Timber Trail Trot

Harrison 10:00 am Mid Michigan Community College, Harrison Campus 5KR/W (989) 386-6622, ext. 513 timbertrailtrot@ midmich.edu www.midmich.edu

Mon., September 7 Belding Lions Labor Day Run Belding 8:30 am Belding High School 5KR/W, 1MFR/W (616) 794-0384 wyoungs@yahoo.com

Blueberry Stomp

Plymouth, IN 9:00 am Centennial Park 15KR, 5KR (574) 952-8443 mpglaub@yahoo.com blueberryfestival.org

Cadillac Festival of Races

Cadillac 9:00 am Cadillac Memorial Stadium

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

10KR, 5KR, Kid’s Run, Tri: 5KR/ 16MB/ 2M Kayak (231) 920-1732 rlangton@ workplacechaplains.us workplacechaplains.us

Governor’s Labor Day Bridge Run

Mackinaw City 5MFR Michigan Fitness Foundation (517) 347-7891 mlieber@michiganfitness.org michiganfitness.org/ bridgerun.html

Labor Day Run for Recovery

Charlotte 8:00 am Bennett Park 5KR/W, 1MFW, kids run (517) 231-3408 recovery2008@ sbcglobal.net eatoncounty.org

Labor Day Run & Potluck

Midland 10:00 am Chippewa Nature Center 10KR, 5KR/W, 100 & 200 meter FR (989) 662-6802 barc-mi.com

Mackinac Bridge Walk St. Ignace 7:00 am St. Ignace to Mackinaw City 5MW (906) 643-7600 mackinacbridge.org

Rose City / Lupton Walk/Run

Lupton 9:00 am 5MR/W Rifle River Recreation Area (810) 247-0104 ptlhiben@hotmail.com active.com

Run 4Sight 4 Mile Run

Norton Shores 8:00 am 4MR/W, 1MFR Mona Shores HS (231) 737-4717 jscofield@ shorelinevision.com run4sight.com

Wed, September 9 Hansons Marathon Training Clinic #3

Royal Oak 6:30 pm Hansons Running Shop (248) 616-9665 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Hansons Youth Team Rochester

4:45 pm

Bloomer Park camp Hansons Running (248) 616-9665 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

On the Right Path

Clio 6:30 pm SS Charles & Helena Church 5KR/W, 2MFW (810) 686-1875 raceservices.com

Red Carpet Run 5K

Novi 7:00 pm 5KR, kids’ run Running Fit (734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com redcarpetrun.com

Sat., September 12 1st National Bank of Wakefield Marathon

Wakefield 8:00 am CDT Southwest Park on Sunday Lake 26.2MR (906) 224-7011 engelj@wmschools.org northlandrunner.colm

Angela Hospice Walk of Remembrance - DATE CHANGED

Livonia 8:00 am 5KW, 3KW Felician Grounds (734) 464-7810, x 2214 biovan@angelahospice.net angelahospice.org

Lake View Community Hospital, 408 Hazen St. 5K R/W (269) 657-1475 mmcconnell@ lakeviewcares.com

Kazoo Area Foot Chase

Portage 9:00 am Celery Flats Park 3.5MR (269) 321-9264 race@kazoofootchase.com www.kazoofootchase.com

Ken Willard River Trail Half Marathon

Lupton 10:00 am Rifle River Recreation Area 13.1MR (989) 977-0383 happyvicki@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

Kirby 5K

Huron Township 10:00 am 5KR/W Willow Metro Park (734) 231-0397 kirbyyouth@yahoo.com

Lake City Marathon

Winona Lake, IN 7:00 am, EDT 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR Winona Lake Park (574) 267-3306 www.lakecitymarathon.info

Lawton Euro-Trail 5K Challenge

Lawton 9:00 am Lawton HS, 101 Blue Pride Drive 5KR (269) 624-6643 kbullock@lawtoncs.org www.lawtoncs.org

Live Life Nspired 5K

CNS Stomp Out Stigma 5K Run/Walk

Charlotte 9:45 am Hayes Green Beach Hospital 5KR/W, 1MW Jake Campbell (517) 543-9575 JCampbell@hgbhealth.com www.hgbhealth.com

Dances with Dirt - Hell

Mackinac Island 8 Mile Road Race

Clarkston 9:00 am 5KR/W (248) 871-1403 ayashinsky@cnsmi.org cnsantistigmaprogram.org

Pickney/Hell 6:15 am Pinckney Recreation Area, Half Moon Lake 50MR, 50KR, 100 K Relay Andrea Allen (734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com

danceswithdirt.com Grape Lake 5K Run/Walk

Paw Paw 8:00 am

Mackinac Island 9:30 am Mission Point Resort John Gault 8 MR/W, kids run (810) 659-6493 GraceMgt@aol.com runmackinac.com

MCVI Foundation & YMCA of Saginaw Run for Your Heart

September - December 2009 Event Calendar Saginaw 8:00 am Michigan CardioVascular Institute 10KR, 5KR/W (989) 754-3222 bfelker@mcvi.com www.mcvi.com

Miles for Mentoring 5K Zeeland 6:30 pm Lawrence Park 5KR/W, kids run (616) 392-2282 vkavanaugh@ gazellesports.com msue.msu.edu/ottawa

Mt. Baldhead Challenge

9:00 am Saugatuck Downtown Saugatuck 15KR, 5KR/W, kids run (616) 990-2371 gingbrower@hotmail.com

Muskrat Classic Run

Algonac 8:30 am Algonac HS, 5200 Taft Road 5KR (810) 329-9406 dshafer@algonac.k12.mi.us algonac.k12.mi.us

NF Awareness Fun Walk and Picnic

Run Drugs Out of Town 9:30 am Howell Howell City Park 10KR, 5KR/W, kids run (517) 545-5944 daydra@sbcvglobal.net rundrugsoutoftownrun.org

Run for the Prize

Rockford 8:30 am 5KR/W, kids run 4610 Belding (616) 866-1881 rungirlrun92@yahoo.com www.cosrock.org

Running Fit Detroit Titan Invitational

Northville 9:45 am 5KR Cass Benton Park Guy Murray (313) 993-1724 murraygr@udmercy.edu DetroitTitans.com

Sandhill Crane Trail 1/2 Marathon & 10K

Vandalia 9:00 am Dr. T.K. Lawless Park 13.1MR, 10KR Ron Gunn (574) 215-4779 rongunn3@verizon.net cairnstoneadventuretours.com

Second Chance at Life

Westland 9:00 am Hines Park, Nankin Mills 5KR, 2MW, 5M Inline skate, 10MB ride (734) 513-5187 smorell@wowway.com secondchanceatlife.org

Second Chance for Greyhounds “Run for the Hounds”

Augusta 10:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W Fort Custer Recreation Area (269) 967-2140 claytonmelissa@ sbc.global.net www.scfg.org

St. Mary Parish Festival 5K Run Walk

Morrice 12:45 pm 5KR, 2KR/W Main and Davis (517) 625-4260 home.catholicweb.com/StM aryMorrice/index.cfm/New sItem?ID=238815&From= Home

Tawas Triathlon Festival

8:00 am East Tawas Downtown East Tawas Tri: 1.2MS/ 56MB/ 13.1MR or 1.5KS/ 40KB/ 10KR or 500mS/ 20kB/ 5KR (231) 546-2229 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Walk the Walk

Grand Blanc 9:00 am 3KR/W Health Park walkthewalk@ LUNGevity.org michiganlungcancerwalk.org/

Witch’s Hat Run

South Lyon 8:00 am South Lyon HS 10KR, 5KR/W, 1 MFR Scott Smith (248) 207-5135 smiths@slcs.us www.slxc.com/witch

Sun., September 13 Augusta Fire 5K Run/ Walk

Whittaker 9:00 am 5KR/W Augusta Township Fire Station (734) 383-6219 augustafire5krun@ comcast.net augustafire5krun.com

Celebrate Life! St. Mary Mercy Hospital 5K R/W for Cancer

Livonia 9:00 am 5KR/W St. Mary Mercy Hospital (734) 655-8670 tessmerm@trinity-

Shelby Township 10:15 am Stony Creek Metropark Fun Walk (586) 322-8612 nf-funwalk@run2curenf.org www.nf-funwalk.org

NSO Riverwalk 5K

Detroit 9:00 am East RiverWalk Plaza 5KR, 1MR (313) 967-5921 jhowse@nso.mi.org nso-mi.org

Page Burner Run and Walk

Kingsley Village 11:00 am 10KR, 5KR, kids run Civic Center South Duane Travis (231) 263-3908 www.villageofkingsley. com/recreation.php Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon

East Grand Rapids 7:30 am 750 Lakeside Dr. SE Tri: 1/2MS/ 17.2MB/ 4.9MR (616) 949-1750 sperry@eastgr.org www.eastgr.org

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

health.org active.com / www.stmarymercy.org

Cleveland Clinic Sports Health River Run Half Marathon

8:00 am Cleveland, OH 13.1 MR, Relay, Inline Skate, 5KR Wallace Lake / Rocky River High School (216) 623-9933 info2@ hermescleveland.com www.hermescleveland.com

Fresh Air 5K and Little Lungs Fun Run RESCHEDULED TO 9/20/09

GFLCF 5K Run/ Fun Walk

Milford 9:30 am Kensington Park 5KR/W (313) 532-0983 info@gianniscause.com www.gianniscause.org

Hansons 16 Mile Marathon Training Run Royal Oak 8:00 am Hansons Running Shop 4-16 MR sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Kellie Sebrell DeWitt 5K Trail Run

DeWitt 10:00 am DeWitt High School 5KRW (517) 669.8102 rmwieber@attbi.com Playmakers Race Series

Marathon Oasis de Montreal

Montreal, QC 9:00 am 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR, kids run Bernard Arsenault (514) 879-1027 info@marathondemo ntreal.com marathonoasisdemontreal.com North Oakland Family YMCA â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Y-MONGOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Auburn Hills 9:00 am 3378 East Walton Blvd. 5KR/W, kids run (248) 370-9622 Jgarner@ ymcametrodetroit.org ymcametrodetroit.org

Plymouth Fall Festival 5K Fun Run Plymouth 8:00 am 5KR, 1MR/W Plymouth Cultural Center (734) 495-9512 obsports@comcast.net salemcrosscountry.org combined with Trish Donnelly-Runnion Memorial Road Race

Sparrow Women Working Wonders 5K

Lansing 10:30 am Hawk Island Park 5KR/W (517) 364-5680 dana_zecchino@yaoo.com sparrow.org/ foundation/runwalk/

Tortoise and Hare Marathon Training Run

8:00 am Ann Arbor Tortoise and Hare Running and Fitness Center, Plymouth Road 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 20MR, 10MR, 5MR, training (734) 623-9640 events@tortoiseandhare.com tortoiseandhare.com

Trish Donnelly-Runnion Memorial Road Race Plymouth 8:00 am Plymouth Cultural Center 5KR, 1 MFR/W (734) 495-9512 cbrown57@comcast.net plymouthfallfestival.com Combined with Plymouth Fall Festival Race

Mon., September 14 Hansons Youth Team

Madison Heights 4:45 pm Civic Park camp Hansons Running Shops (586) 822-8606 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Wed., September 16 Hansons Marathon Training Clinic #3

Lake Orion 6:30 pm Hansons Running Shop Training Clinic (248) 616-9665 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Fri., September 18

Spartan Invitational East Lansing

1:00 pm college and high school x-c Michigan State University - Forest Akers Golf Course Nancy Lumley (517) 353-0816 lumleyn@ath.msu.edu

Sat., September 19 5k Sneaker Run/Walk

Howard City 9:00 am 5KR/W, kids run Ensley Park (231) 937-4391 kstaffen@ tricountyschools.com

Angela Hospice Walk of Remembrance

Livonia 8:00 am Felician Grounds 5KW, 3KW (734) 464-7810, x 2214 biovan@angelahospice.net angelahospice.org

Autumn Colors Triathlon and Duathlon

Holly 9:00 am Holly Recreation Area Tri: 1000 meterS/ 18MB/ 5.5MR or Du: 2MR/ 18MB/ 5.5MR (231) 546-2229 3disciplines.com

AVSO Forks 5K Run/Walk

Albion 6:00 pm Victory Park 5KR/W, 1KFR (517) 629-5574 avso@forks.org www.avso.forks.org

Big Mac Shoreline Scenic Bike Tour

Mackinaw City 9:00 am 25MB, 50MB, 75MB, 100MB Mackinaw City High School Pavillion (888) 455-8100 info@mackinawchamber.com

mackinawchamber.com

Calvin Invitational

Grand Rapids Calvin College X-C Meet (616) 526-6522 jbefus@calvin.edu raceservices.com

Deckerville Hospital Oktoberfest 5K Walk and Run

8:30 am Deckerville Deckerville 5KR/W Public School (810) 376-2835 stevensk@ deckervillehosp.org www.deckervillehosp.org/

Footrace 5K

Mt. Pleasant 9:00 am Horizon Park 5KR (989) 772-0323 hplouff@yahoo.com edzone.net/~mphsstr/

Freddie Harris Memorial 2K Walk / 5K Fun Run for Brain Aneurysm Awareness Belleville 8:00 am 5KR, 2KW Horizon Park (734) 699-5259 jsmrmom@sbcglobal.net bafound.donorpages.com/ MICHIGANWALK/

Grosse Pointe Run

Grosse Pointe 8:30 am 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFR, kids runs GP Farms Pier Park Phil Gaglio (800) 299-5007 pgaglio@usa.net www.active.com Harvest Stompede

Suttons Bay 9:30 am Ciccone Vinyards, Leelanau Peninsula 7MR, 5KR, 3MW Nate Rousse (231) 357-3222 nath49684@yahoo.com lpwines.com/harvest/

John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge

Milford 8:30 am Kensington Metropark, Maple Beach 15KR, 5KR, 1/2 MR Doug Goodhue (248) 685-0043 douggoodhue@comcast.net www.aatrackclub.org

Michigan Runner Race Series - 15K

KeyBank Salmon Chase Fall Classic

8:00 am South Bend College Football Hall of Fame 10KR, 5KR/W, kids run (574) 283-1115 kimo@madison.org salmonchase.org

Kids Feeding Kids 5K

Walker 10:00 am 5KR/W Johnson Park cross country course (616) 399-9190 tdallen@ kidsagainsthungermi.org kidsagainsthungermi.org

Michigan State Police Fall Color 5K

Northville Twp. 10:00 am Maybury State Park 5KR/W (586) 727-0200, ext. 523 fallcolorrun@comcast.net www.tblofmi.com

Mud Creek Crawl

Sanford 9:30 am 10KR, 5KR Pine Haven Recreation Area Ralph Griffith (989) 205-2969 jrgriff@hotmail.com active.com

Nike-Holly Cross Country Invitational

Davisburg 7:40 am Springfield Oaks County Park X-C meet, 5KR, 2MR (248) 328-3242 mweisdorfer@ holly.k12.mi.us hollyareaschools.com/hhs/ activities/site/xxcountr y/home.html

North Country Trail Run

Manistee 7:30 am Big M Trails, Manistee National Forest 50MR, 26.2 MR (616) 261-9706 s.webster@stridersrun.com www.stridersrun.com

Oakland Township Curamus Terram 5K & Half Marathon

Oakland Township 9 am 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR Paint Creek Cider Mill (248) 935-9004 marc3815@aol.com www.oaklandtownship.org

September - December 2009 Event Calendar

Oktoberfest Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and 5K

Spring Lake 8:00 am Old Boy’s Brewhouse 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 5KR (616) 844-2734 octoberfest@charter.net oktoberfestmarathon.com

Phil Loomis Invitational/Cit Pat Awards Ceremony

Jackson 8:00 am 4 MR, 5KW (517) 782-2071 rtgilmore@cmsenergy.com fitnesscouncil.org /runjackson/

Rambler Run/Walk 5K

9:00 am Perry Perry Middle School 5KR/W (517) 230-3759 ramblerrun@hotmail.com

Run the Ridge

Holland 9:00 am Ridgepoint Community Church 5KR, 1.5MFW (616) 392-2282

lbroekhuizen@ gazellsports.com www.runtheridge.com

Run With The Creek

Midland 11:00 am Bullock Creek High School 5KR/W (989) 631-9022 micamp@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

Shiawassee County on the Move 5K CANCELLED St. John Applefest

Fenton 9:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR, 1/4 MR St. John Church (810) 735.9193 gaultracemanagement.com

St. Mike’s Race for Faith 5K

Grand Ledge 6:00 pm Fitzgerald Park 5KR/W, kids run (517) 646-9746 psbiergans@hotmail.com stmichaelgl.org/joomla/

TCS 5K Fun Run/Walk

Grand Rapids Johnson Park 5KR/W, 1MFR (616) 896-7009 billw@tucs.org

United States Air Force Marathon

7:00 am Dayton, OH 26.2 MR/W, Wheel, 13.1MR/W, team relay, 10KR, 5KR (800) 467-1823 USAF.Marathon @wpafb.af.mil www.usafmarathon.com/

Sun., September 20 5K for K9’s and Friends

Dearborn 10KR, 5KR, kids run Camp Dearborn Sharon Suffolk (248) 437-4524 sharon@goodboyevents.org goodboyevents.org

Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak 8:00 am Detroit Zoo 10KR, 5KR, FW Christine Kenny (248) 541-5717, ext. 3122 ckenny@dzs.org runwilddetroitzoo.com Big Mac Shoreline Scenic Bike Tour

Mackinaw City 7:00 am Ride across the “Mighty Mac” Mackinaw City High School Pavillion (888) 455-8100 info@mackinawchamber.com

mackinawchamber.com Must ride in September 19 tour to ride the bridge

Birmingham Lions Run for the Blind Birmingham 9:00 am Downtown Birmingham 10KR, 5KR, 1 MW Total Runner (248) 354-1177 ReMaxKeena@aol.com gaultracemanagement.com

Charity Challenge

10:00 pm Windsor, ON 1 Riverside Drive W. 8KR, 3KR/W, kids runs (519) 945.3786 info@runningfactory.com www.runningfactory.com

Fox Cities Marathon

Neenah, WI 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, relay Riverside Park (920) 727.1726 debbie.jansen@ communityfirstcu.org www.foxcitiesmarathon.org

Fresh Air 5K and Little Lungs Fun Run - ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED 9/13/09 Milford

8:00 am

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

5KR/W, kids run Kensington Park, Maple Beach (313) 532-0983 info@gianniscause.com www.gianniscause.org

Gazelle Sports Bridge Run

8:00 am Grand Rapids Rosa Parks Circle 10MR, 5KR (616) 940-9888 thebridgerun@live.com thebridgerun.com

La Demi Grand Half Marathon cancelled Neal V. Singles Memorial Run

Morenci 8:30 am Morenci HS 5KR, 1MW (517) 458-6025 schaffner@tc3net.com morencieeducationfoundation.org

Mt. Olivet Cemetery 4-Mile Sunrise Run

Detroit 8:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W, 2MW Mt. Olivet Cemetery (734) 417-1032 mtolivetsun riserun@mtelliott.com everalracemgt.com

Playmakers Autumn Classic 8K

Haslett 9:00 am Lake Lansing Park, North 8KR/W, 1MFR, 1/2 M FR Curt Munson (517) 349.3803 playmakers@ playmakers.com playmakers.com

Playmakers Race Series Tower Run for Education

Michigan City, IN 8:30 am Washington Park 8KR, 5KW (219) 874-8927 run@toweronline.org www.toweronline.org/run/

Wed, September 23 Hansons Marathon Training Clinic #3

Utica 6:30 am Hansons Running Shop

Training Clinic 586) 323-9683 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Fri., September 25

Run Woodstock Pinckney 6:00 am 5KR Silver Lake Beach Running Fit (734) 929-9027 canadianchick@ runningfit.com runwoodstock.com

3 day event; Saturday: 100MR, 50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5MR; Sunday: 5MFR Sat., September 26 Al Kayner/Delta Invitational

Essexville 9:00 am Delta College 2M, HS & Open X-C (989) 893-1093 davenportt@bcschools.net

Capital City River Run Kids Mile and Kids Sprint

Lansing 8:30 am Impression 5 Science Center 1MFR, 1/4 MFR Dan Casey (517) 332.2681 danandpeg@aol.com ccriverrun.org

Playmakers Kids Mile Series

Clinton Fall Festival 5K

Clinton 9:00 am 5KR/W Clinton High School Track (517) 403-2106 beazley60@juno.com

Detroit Catholic Central Cross Country Invitational

Northville 10:00 am Edward Hines Drive HS X-C, Open races (248) 596-3829 amagni@catholiccentral.net www.catholiccentral.net

Diehlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ciderfest Run Holly 8:30 am 4 MR, 1MFR Diehlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cider Mill, 1479

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Ranch Rd, off Milford Rd and Rose Center Rd (248) 310-9375 Chris@DiehlsOrchard.com diehlsorchard.com/run.htm

Dunes Duathlon

9:30 am Saugatuck Saugatuck Dunes State Park 5MR, 17.8 MB (616) 566-2085 racedirector@dunesdu.com www.dunesdu.com

Fall Frolic

Mishawaka 8:45 am 530 East Day Road 10KR, 5KR/W, Kids Run (574) 257-9830 dgvoor@comcast.net tma-el.org/development_ fall_frolic.htm

Fort-4-Fitness Half Marathon / 4 Mile Run / Walk

Fort Wayne, IN 7:30 am Freimann Square 13.1MR, 4MR/W Fort-4-Fitness Festival, Inc. (260) 760-3371 race@fort-4-fitness.org www.fort-4-fitness.org

Gazelle Sports Metro Mini Adventure Race for Kids

Kalamazoo 2:00 pm Downtown Kalamazoo 2MR, 5MB (269) 342-5996 avince@gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Genesys 5K Run/Walk

Grand Blanc 10:00 am Genesys Health Park Nature Trails 5KR/W, 1MFR (810) 606-7909 GRaceMgt@aol.com www.genesys.org

Jackson Family Fall Festival 5K

Jackson 10:00 am 5KR/W, 1/4MFR St. John Elementary, 405 E. North St. (517) 937-2094 jfff5k@yahoo.com www.jacksonfamilyfallfesti val.org

Jefferson Cross Country Invitational Monroe 9:00 am x-c meet Sterling State Park (734) 289.5590 speare@jhstrack.com www.jeffinvite.org

Komen Grand Rapids Race for the Cure

8:30 am Grandville Rivertown Crossings Mall 5KR, 1MW (616) 752-8262 grkomen@ unitedwaycares.com komengr.org

Lake Superior Shoreline Trail Half Marathon Race Against Tobacco 10 am, EDT Marquette 13.1 MR, 5KR, Kids Run Little Presque Isle (906) 315-2614 jharrington@hline.org www.smokefreeup.org EDT

Metro Trek Adventure Race

Kalamazoo 7:00 am Verburg Park 10 hour sprint: mtn bike, road bike, run, padle, ropes, etc. (269) 342-5996 temenheiser@ gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

NE Lenawee CROP Run Macon 8:45 am 11964 Macon Hwy 10KR, 5KR Spencer Ruffner (517) 423-1980 sruffn@cs.com

Park 2 Park Half Marathon and 5K

Holland 8:30 am 1627 W. Lakewood Blvd. 13.1MR, 5KR (616) 399-9190 sherriek@harderwyk.com www.neighborsplus.org

Red Flannel Festival 5K Run/Walk

Cedar Springs 9:00 am 5KR/W, kids run Cedar View Elementary School (616) 634-0171 redflannel5k@hotmail.com www.redflannelday.com

Road Runner Akron Marathon

Akron, OH 8:00 am Lockheed Martin Airdock 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5 or 2 person relays, kids run (330) 375-2RUN abitong@akronmarathon.org akronmarathon.org

Run and Walk for the Animals Grand Ledge

10:00 am

5KR/W Fitzgerald Park (517) 626-6060 info@cahs-lansing.org www.cahs-lansing.org

Run for the Son

9:00 am Portage Celery Flats on Garden Lane 5KR/W (269) 720-0567 joni@deaconsconference.org kazoodc.org

Run Woodstock Pinckney 6:00 am 100MR, 50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5MR Silver Lake Beach Running Fit (734) 929-9027 canadianchick@ runwoodstock.com

3 day event; Saturday: 100MR, 50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5MR; Sunday: 5MFR

Running Fit 20 Mile Training Run

Westland 8:00 am Nankin Mills on Hines Dr. 20 MR or training run of any distance Running Fit (734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com runningfit.net/ events/ Save the Wildlife 5K Run/Walk

Howell 10:00 am 5KR/W, 1MW Howell Conference and Nature Center (517) 546-6104 annm@howellnaturecenter.org howellnaturecenter.org

Tara Grant Memorial 5K Run / 2K

Shelby Township 10:00 am 5KR, 3KW, kids run Oakgrove Picnic Area Stony Creek Metropark (586) 463-4430, ext. 244 turningpointinc.com

The 5.4 Mile Sleepwalk Run

Farmington 9:00 am Shiawassee Park 5.4MR, 2.7MR Susan Orlikowski (248) 478-3242

September - December 2009 Event Calendar sueorlikowski@ ameritech.net sweetdreamzzzdetroit.org

The Angelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place Race Clarkston 10:00 am 5KR, 1MFR Intersection of Holcomb & Valley Park Streets (248) 625-7859 or (248) 625-7492 director@angelsplacerace.org angelsplacerace.org

Sun., September 27 1 Hour Midwest Regional Racewalking Championship Royal Oak Dondero HS 1 hour walk

10:00 am

(248) 544-9099 racebreak@aol.com motorcitystriders.com

1/5/10K Run

Berrien Springs 8:00 am Andrews University 10KR, 5KR, (269) 471.3591 alumni@andrews.edu www.andrews.edu/alumni

Boyne 2 Boyne Marathon

Harbor Springs 8:00 am Boyne Highlands / Boyne Mountain 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR, FR (231) 546-2229 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Capital City River Run Half Marathon/ 5K

Lansing 8:30 am Impression 5 Science Center 13.1MR, 5KR, 1MFR, 1/4 MFR Dan Casey (517) 332.2681 danandpeg@aol.com ccriverrun.org

Harvest Dash Race for Recovery

Lake Orion 10:00 am 5KR/W William E. Scripps Estate (248) 391-4445 crichards@guesthouse.org guesthouseinstitute.org

Komen Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure

Toledo, OH 9:00 am 5KR/W Downtown Toledo, Summit & Washington (419) 724-2873 raceinfo@komennwohio.org komennwohio.org/ race_info.htm

Quad Cities Marathon

7:30 am Moline, IL 26.2 MR, 13.1MR, 5person relay, kids micro marathon (309) 751-9800 runqcm@yahoo.com www.qcmarathon.org

Run Woodstock Pinckney 6:00 am 5MFR Silver Lake Beach (734) 929-9027 canadianchick@ runningfit.com runwoodstock.com

3 day event; Friday: 5KR; Saturday: 100MR, 50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5MR

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Toronto, ON 7:00 am City Hall, Bay & Queen Streets 26.2 MR, 13.1MR, 5KR, kids run Kevin Inouye (416) 944-2765, ext. 501 info@torontowaterfro ntmarathon.com torontowaterfrontmarathon.com

October Thurs., October 1 White Pumpkin 5K

6:00 pm Caro Davenport University 5KR/W (989) 673-4241 whitechiro@centurytel.net

Saturday, October 3 AQ Run Thru 5K Run and 2K Walk

Grand Rapids 9:00 am 5KR, 2KW (616) 632-2989 hak001@aquinas.edu www.aquinas.edu/health/aq run.html

Utica Education Association 5K Trail Run & 1 Mile Fitness Walk

Shelby Township 9:30 am Stony Creek Metro Park Eastwood Beach 5KR, 1MW (586) 850-6611 nancy.smith@uticak12.org www.ueastaywell.org

Tues., September 29 Ryan Serber 8K Classic

Toledo 9:00 am University of Toledo Glass Bowl 8KR (419) 224-2484 ryanserber.com

Wed., September 30 Hansons Marathon Training Clinic #3

Grosse Pointe 6:30 pm Hansons Running Shop (313) 882-1325 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Playmakers Race Series

Hansons 16 Mile Marathon Training Run Grosse Pointe 8:00 am Hansons Running Shop 4-16 MR (313) 882-1325 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Bay 5/10K Run/Walk for Charity

Petoskey 9:00 am Bay View Association Grounds 10KR, 5KR/W (517) 333-0264 gmkico@att.net petoskeyrotarysunrise.org/bay10k.htm

Climb Mt. Morris 5K Run/Walk

Mt. Morris 10:00 am Knights of Columbus Hall 5KR/W, kids race (810) 513-8112 y2kmurphy@aol.com www.kofc4285.org

Don Baese Cross Country Invitational

Carson City 9:00 am Fish Creek Sportsmen’s Club high school and middle school x-c (989) 584-3175 ptabor@ carsoncity.k12.mi.us carsoncity.k12.mi.us/ athletics/don-baese-invitational/

Easy as Pi 5K Run/Walk

Mt. Pleasant 10:30 am 5KR/W 331 N. Main Susan Young young3sa@cmich.edu

Falcon Cross Country Invitational

Dearborn 9:00 am 5KR, 2MR Dearborn High School (313) 389-2333 tonymifsud150@aol.com divinechildhighschool.org

GRAAHI Rhythm Run

Grand Rapids 9:00 am 5KR/W Martin Luther King Park (616) 331-5872 joe.brennan@gmail.com

Greatest 5K Ever

Grand Rapids 10:00 am Riverside Park 5KR (312) 208-2213 joe.brennan@gmail.com helpfightscleroderma.com/run

Island Boodle 5K Run/Walk

Beaver Island 10:00 am St. James, Beaver Island 5KR/W (231) 448-2505 chamber@beaverisland.org www.beaverisland.org

PEAK of a Run

Mt. Pleasant 9:30 am 5KR/W, 1MFR (989) 779-5338 jrookard@mt-pleasant.org www.peakafterschool.org

Red October Run

Wayne 9:50 am Oakwood Annapolis Hospital 10KR, 5KR/W, 1M kid’s run Cynthia Cook (313) 586-5486 cynthia.cook @oakwood.org oakwood.org/ redoctoberrun/ Salmon Run/Walk

Baldwin 9:00 am Downtown Baldwin 10KR/W, 5KR/W (231) 745-8804 colecreek_llc@hotmail.com www.SalmonRun2008.com

Saturn Cross-Country Invitational

Sterling Heights 9:30 am Delia Park XC (586) 822-8606 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

The Alminians Half / 10K / 5K

Alma 10:00 am 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR 1 block North, Alma Fred Meijer Rail-to-Trail Head (989) 289-2361 shepherdboy818@yahoo.com signmeup.com Michigan Half Marathon Mini Series

U of M/MSU Tailgate Challenge

Flint 9:00 am Downtown Flint YMCA 5KR/W (810) 487-0954 GRaceMgt@aol.com gaultracemanagement.com

Wild Goose Chase

Saginaw 9:00 am Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge 5KR/W (989) 759-1669 Becky_Goche@fws.gov barc-mi.com

Zonta Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk Women Only Alpena 10:00 am Fletcher Street Brewing

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

5KR Penny Boldrey (989) 727-3017

Sunday, October 4 Betsie Valley Run

9:00 am Thompsonville Crystal Mountain Resort 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR/W, kids run (231) 378-2000 bvdlibrary0012 @yahoo.com betsievalleyrun.com

Big House / Big Heart 5K Ann Arbor 9:00 am University of Michigan Stadium 5KR Running Fit (734) 929-9027

events@runningfit.com

bighousebigheart.com

Brooksie Way Half Marathon

Rochester Hills 8:00 am Oakland University 13.1MR, 5KR/W Deb Kiertzner (810) 235-3397 dkiertzner@flint.org thebrooksieway.com

Farmington Fall Classic

Farmington 10:00 am Heritage Park, Farmington Rd. 5KR/W (248) 473-1800 hsmith@fhgov.com runningfoundation.com

Huron Township Applefest

New Boston 9:00 am Lower Huron Metropark 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFR Greg Everal (734) 507-1789 greg@ everalracemgt.com huronapplefest.com MSU Federal Credit Union Dinosaur Dash

East Lansing 10:00 am MSU Museum 5KR/W (517) 432-4655 dinodash@ museum.msu.edu

museum.msu.edu/ events/dinosaurdash/ Playmakers Race Series

MSU Federal Credit Union Dinosaur Dash Mile

East Lansing 10:00 am MSU Museum 1MR (517) 432-4655 dinodash@ museum.msu.edu museum.msu.edu/ events/dinosaurdash/ Playmakers Kids Mile Series

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Minneapolis, MN 8:00 am CDT 26.2 MR, 10 MR, 5KR (763) 287-3888 info@mtcmarathon.org twincitiesmarathon.org

Miles for Medals Benefiting Special Olympics Michigan Taylor 12:00 pm 5KR/W, 5KB, 1MR (248) 370-0972 dierslae@cmich.edu www.somi.org/

Friday, October 9 Michgian Intercollegiate Cross Country Championships

Grand Rapids Calvin College X-C Meet (616) 526-6522 jbefus@calvin.edu raceservices.com

Sat., October 10 Bee Brave 5K Run/Walk Caledonia 9:00 am 6195 Buttrick Ave. 5KR/W Pat Ringnalda (616) 698-8054 pat@ringalda.net www.beebrave.com

Cornerstone on the Move

Caledonia 5KR/W Howard and Sylvia Atsma (616) 656-4687 signmeup.com

Cruisin for a Cure 5K

Grand Ledge 9:00 am First United Methodist Church 5KR, 2MW (517) 622-2741 micksloan@comcast.net

Davison Education Foundation Great Pumpkin 5K

Davison 9:15 am 5KR/W Cardinal Stadium (810) 660-7297 dustin@elitefeetrunning.com elitefeetrunning.com

Depot Days

Standish 9:00 am 5KR/W downtown Standish (989) 714-2496 thetoothfairy0000@ yahoo.com

Fall Color Bridge Race

Mackinaw City 7:00 am St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, 600 W. Central Ave. 5.4MR Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau (231) 436-5664 / (800) 666-0160 courtney@ mackinawcity.com mackinawcity.com Great Pumpkin / Spooky Sprint Duathlons

Detroit 10:00 am Belle Isle Du: 5KR/ 23MB/ 10KR or 5KR/ 20KB/ 5KR (231) 546-2229 kenny@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Heritage 5K Cross Country and Open 5K Run - Tentative Date

Saginaw 12:00 Noon Wickes Park XC, 5KR-Open (989) 797-1814 hawkstrack2001@ yahoo.com

Hustle for Housing 5K

Lansing 5KR/W (517) 881-5938 dianesanborn@ briarwoodrealty.com

Miles for Medals 5K Benefiting Special Olympics Michigan

Sterling Heights 8:00 am 10KR, 5KR, 1MW, 10KB, 5KB Dodge Park (248) 370-0922 ashley.diersch@cmich.edu www.somi.org

September - December 2009 Event Calendar

Miles for Medals 5K CMU Homecoming 5K for Special Olympics

Mt. Pleasant 8:00 am CMU Finch Field House 5KR (989) 773-2595 spieg1jl@cmich.edu www.somi.org

Portage Invitational

Portage 8:30 am x-c meet, open 5K Dan Wytko (269) 323-5233 dwytko@portageps.org www.portageinvite.com

Rescue Run

Holland 9:00 am 356 Fairbanks Avenue 5KR/W (616) 396-2200 racheln@hollandrescue.org hollandrescue.org

Run Thru the Rapids

Grand Rapids 9:00 am David D. Hunting YMCA 10KR/W, 5KR/W Wayne Brown (616) 822-7968 wayne@vbstriteam.com

Run Vasa

Williamsburg 8:30 am Vasa Trail Head, 4450 Bartlett Rd 25KR, 10KR Daniel Siderman (231) 932-5401 traverse2 @runningfit.com www.runvasa.com Stop, Drop and Roll

Bay City 9:00 am Bay Co. Community Center 5KR/W, kids run (989) 415-5593 iafflocal116@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

Wayne County Cross Country Championships

New Boston / Belleville 10:00 am Willow Metropark, Chestnut Picnic Area HS X-C 5KR (734) 416-7774 obsports@comcast.net salemcrosscountry.org

Whistlestop Marathon and Half Marathon Ashland, WI

8:00 am

Bay Area Civic Center 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 10KR, 5KR (800) 284-9484 whistlestopmarathon.com

Sunday, October 11 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Chicago 7:40 am 26.2 MR, 5KR Grant Park (312) 904-9800 www.chicagomarathon.com

Hidden Forest Trail Run Clarkston 9:30 am Independence Oaks Park 8.5 MR, 5.5 MR, 2.5 MR/W (810) 487-0954 gaultracemanagement.com

Michigan Youth Arts in Motion 5K

Royal Oak 10:00 am 5KR/W, 1MR/W Starr Jaycee Park (248) 649-8888 stacey@ michiganyoutharts.org michiganyoutharts.org/ 5k.html

Portland St. Patrick Fall Festival 5K

Portland 9:00 am Grand River Avenue and West Street 5KR/W (517) 647-1709 ddswanless@att.net playmakers.com

Pumpkin Trot 5K R/W St. Johns 1:30 pm St. Johns City Park 10KR, 5KR/W, kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run George Campbell (989) 224-6464 geokath@voyager.net

Rouge Park Benefit 5K Run / Walk Detroit 9:00 am 5KR/W Rouge Park (313) 271-1643 rougepark@gmail.com rougepark.org

Royal Victoria Marathon Victoria, BC 7:30 am 26.2 MR, 13.1MR, 8KR, kids run Victoria Marathon Society

(250) 658-4520 info@ royalvictoriamarathon.com royalvictoriamarathon.com Spartan Sprint Triathlon

East Lansing 400mS/ 20KB/ 5KR MSU Triathlon (231) 546-2229 3disciplines.com

Towpath Marathon

Cleveland, OH 8:00 am Cuyahoga Valley National Park 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR Ohio Canal Corridor (216) 520-1825 tstella@ohiocanal.org www.towpathmarathon.net

Wild Life Marathon

Concord 8:00 am 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 5KR/W Downtown Concord Tim Payne (517) 392-8205 marathondirector@ fallingwatertrail.org www.fallingwaterstrail.org/ marathon2009.htm

13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR Deerfield Park (989) 289-2361 sherpherdboy818@yahoo.com signmeup.com Michigan Half Marathon Mini Series

Fr. Gabriel Richard HS Cross Country Invitational

8:45 am Dexter Hudson Mills Metropark, South X-C course hs x-c meet (734) 904-6431 jspencer_grcci@earthlink.net rc.net/lansing/fgrhs/2009ind ex.htm

Greater Lansing Cross Country Championships Grand Ledge 10:00 am Ledge Meadows Golf Course Kim Spalsbury

(517) 627-2034 spalskrun@yahoo.com playmakers.com

Indianapolis Marathon and Half Marathon Indianapolis, IN 8:30 am 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5KR, relay, kids run Fort Harrison Joel Sauer (317) 826-1670 info@ indianapolismarathon.com indianapolismarathon.com Kalamazoo College Homecoming 5K

Kalamazoo 8:00 am 5KR/W Kalamazoo College (269) 337-7289 mstap@kzoo.edu kzoo.edu/homecoming/?p=5k

Tues., October 13 Hansons Youngsters Cross-Country Invitational (7-10 Grade)

Sterling Heights 4:00 pm Delia Park X-C Meet (586) 822-8606 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Sat., October 17 Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doggie Dash

Rockford 9:00 am Wabasis Park 5KR/W, 1MR/A (517) 336-6429 sweeneyk@michigan.gov

Chad Schieber Memorial Run

Midland 9:00 am Emerson Park 10KR, 5KR, 1MR, kids run (231) 546-2229 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Deerfield Half Marathon / 10K / 5K Mt. Pleasant

10:00 am

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Michigan High School Cross Country U.P. State Finals - TENTATIVE DATE

Houghton 10:00 am Michigan Tech University 5KR Trails (517) 332-5046 mhsaa.com/sports/bxc/

Monroe County Cross Country Classic

Monroe 10:30 am Munson Park, 2770 N. Custer Rd. HS and Open X-C, 5KR (734) 693-3326 monroexc@gmail.com mpssw.monroe.k12.mi.us/w ebpages/coachscoles/index.c fm?subpage=4129

Reese Invitational

9:00/10:30 am Reese Reese HS XC, 5KR open Ted Davenport (989) 893-1093 runmant@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

Run on the Rez 5K

Mt. Pleasant 10:00 am Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Operations, Broadway & Leaton 5KR Harry Plouff (989) 772-0323 hplouff@yahoo.com edzone.net/~mphsstr/

Turkey Trot

Sturgis 8:00 am 5KR/W 901 North Centerville Rd. (810) 714-5768 raceservices.com

Vulture Bait Trail Race

London, ON 9:00 am Fanshawe Conservation Area 50KR, 25KR, 10KR (519) 438-0354 vulturebaittrailruns@ hotmail.com vulturebaitrace.com

Sunday, October 18 D.O. Monster Dash

East Lansing 9:00 am 5KR/W, kids run Michigan State University Campus (734) 552-2980 j.klostermanjr@gmail.com

Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon

Detroit, MI and Windsor, ON 7:15 am 26.2MR, Wheelchair, Handcycle, 13.1MR/W, 5 person relay teams, 5KFR/W Patricia Ball (313) 222-6676 marathon@ freepress.com detroitmarathon.com

Michigan Runner Race Series - Marathon

East Lansing Pumpkin Trot

East Lansing 10:00 am Abbot Road north of Lake Lansing 5KR/W (517) 319-6897, x 6606 ddekort1@ci.east-lansing.mi.us runningfoundation.com

Grubers Grinder

Holly 9:00 am Holdbridge State Recreation Area 16MB (810) 714-5768 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Grand Rapids 8:00 am 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR Don Kern (616) 293-3145 cooladventures @aol.com grandrapidsmarathon.com

Michigan Runner Race Series - Half Marathon Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon

Columbus, OH 7:00 am Broad and High Streets 26.2 MR/W 13.1 MR/W, wheelchair, kids run (614) 421.7866 info@ columbusmarathon.com columbusmarathon.com

Toronto Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K & Relay Toronto, ON 9:00 am Mel Lastman Square Queen’s Park

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5KR, relay (416) 972-1062 torontomarathon @rogers.com torontomarathon.com

Monday, October 19 Greater Lansing Junior Cross Country Championships

3:30 pm DeWitt middle school x-c (517) 285-6409 runrlw@comcast.net directathletics.com

Thurs., October 22 HAWK Middle School Cross Country Invitational

Saginaw 3:45 pm White Pine Middle School MS and Open X-C, 2MR, 1MR (989) 513-5195 dbarnar@stcs.org

Sat., October 24 Chase the Pumpkins

Gladstone 10:00 EST Gladstone Knights of Columbus Hall 10KR, 5KR/W (906) 428-4457 danpaul70@gmail.com

Clarkston United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat Trot

Clarkston 9:00 am 5KR/W, 1MFR Clarkston United Methodist Church (248) 625-1611 asiminski@ clarkstonumc.org active.com

Devil’s Lake Half-Marathon Barboo, WI -

Cancelled Every Stride 5K/10K

Belding 9:00 am Candle Stone Golf & Resort 10KR, 5KR/W (616) 608-1574 chris@mirunning.com mirunning.com/

Great Turtle Half Marathon Mackinac Island

11:30 am Mission Point Resort 13.1 MR, 5.7 MR/W (810) 487-0954 JohnCGault2@aol.com runmackinac.com Halloween 5K for Junior Achievement

Lansing 10:00 am 5KR/W Hawk Island County Park (517) 371-5437 ckangas@ jamidmichigan.org jamidmichigan.org

KAR Halloween Hash & Kids Trick or Treat Mini Hash Run

Kalamazoo 10:00 am KVCC Texas Corners Campus, Texas Drive Trailhead. 3-7MR, 1/2MFR, kids’ run (269) 276-0431 david.walch@pfizer.com kalamazooarearunners.com

Race for a Reason (R4R)

Mt. Pleasant 10:00 am 15KR, 10KR, 5KR, 1MR Ward Theatre webmaster@ thenewgrace.org lovemp.org

Scary Runner - or Oct. 31 Bay City 4:00 pm Wild Woods of Terror 5KR/W Runners Store (989) 686-8846 barc-mi.com

WMU Homecoming Campus Classic

Kalamazoo 8:15 am 5KR/W, 1KFR Western Michigan University Campus, Bernhard Center (269) 387-8402 sue.beougher@wmich.edu www.wmich.edu/race

Sun., October 25 Follow the Road to Broad Business School 5K East Lansing 9:00 am MSU Auditorium 5KR/W (616) 240-6208 broad5K@gmail.com

Hansons Group Run Lake Orion 8:00 am Hansons Running Shop (248) 693-9900

sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Niagara Falls International Marathon

Niagara Falls, ON 9:45 am Albright-Knox Gallery. Buffalo, NY 26.2 MR/W/Wheel, 13.1 MR/W/Wheel, 5KR/W (800) 563-2557 nfcvcb@ tourismniagara.com niagarafallsmarathon.com/

Racing for Recovery Run

9:00 am Sylvania, OH Lourdes College 10KR, 5KR/W, 1/4 MFR (231) 546-2229 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com

Sat., October 31 Alger Heights Halloween 5K

Grand Rapids Noon 5KR/W (616) 291-7988 alger5k@gmail.com signmeup.com

Lake Lansing North 10K Trail Race

Haslett 10:00 am Lake Lansing Park - North 10KR (517) 655-9698 chris.holzer@earthlink.net www.theear.org

MAC Cross Country Championships

Athens, OH 11:00 am Miami University

Muddy Watters Cider Slam

Rochester Hills 9:30 am 4.5MR (248) 320-5705 jeff@jeffwatters.com

Scary Runner - or Oct. 24

Bay City 4:00 pm Wild Woods of Terror 5KR/W (989) 686-8846 barc-mi.com

Westside YMCA Booathlon Duathlon

Potterville 10:00 am Potterville HS 3MR/ 10MR/ 3MR, kids run (517) 881-2525 jsmith262@gmail.com

September - December 2009 Event Calendar November Sun., November 1 Big Ten Cross Country Championships University Park, PA 10:45 am 8K Men; 6K Women Penn State University http://bigten.cstv.com/

ING New York City Marathon

New York City 10:50 am 26.2 MR (212) 423.2249 www.nyrrc.org

Inland Trail Marathon/Half Marathon & 5K

Elyria, OH 8:00 am 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 5KR Murray Ridge School, North Coast Island Trail (440) 933-8075 rick@ncnracing.com ncnracing.com

Margaret Peruski Memorial 4 Mile Run

Dearborn 10:00 am Ford Field 4MR (248) 544-9099 racebreak@aol.com www.motorcitystriders.com

Spartan Trail 5K

Lansing 10:00 am Grand Woods Park 5KR/W (517) 285-7781 msurunning@gmail.com www.msu.edu/~running

Turkey Trot Cross Country Run

Mt Pleasant 3:00 pm Deerfield County Park 6KR X-C (989) 772-0323 hplouff@yahoo.com edzone.net/~mphsstr/

Woodhaven Run in the Park

Woodhaven 9:00 am 4 MR, 2MFR/W, 1MR Woodhaven Community Center (734) 675-4932 cityadmin@ woodhavenmi.org everalracemgt.com

Sat., November 7 Don Dansereau Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk

Bay City 10:00 am Bay Arenac Career Center 5KR/W (989) 553-6656 jmetevia@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

Livonia Turkey Trot

Livonia 9:30 am 5KR/W Bicentennial Park (734) 466-2410 awalker@ci.livonia.mi.us www.ci.livonia.mi.us

Michigan High School Cross Country L.P. State Finals

Brooklyn 10:00 am Michigan International Speedway 5KR (517) 332-5046 mhsaa.com/sports/bxc/

Mid-Land Half Marathon / 10K/ 5K

Midland 10:00 am 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR Pere Marquette Rail Trail Head (989) 289-2361 sherpherdboy818 @yahoo.com signmeup.com Michigan Half Marathon Mini Series

Muskegon Turkey Trot 5K Trail Run

Muskegon 10:00 am Orchard View Middle School 5KR (231) 282-1215 jdwolters6436@gmail.com runnersedgeracetiming.com

NCAA Division I I Cross Country Regionals Midwest

Kenosha, WI 10:30 am 10KR, 6KR University of Wisconsin Parkside ncaasports.com

Randy’s Festival of Races

Monclova, OH 10:00 am 10 MR, 5KR, 1M Kids Monclova Primary School (419) 360-3709 rbsmsimon@ roadrunner.com toledoroadrunners.org

St. Clair River Turkey Trot

St. Clair 9:00 am St. Clair Riverview Plaza 5KR (810) 329-7186 hollands@ieee.org stclairumc.org/node/24

Souper Run - Dash for the Daily Bread

Adrian 9:00 am 10KR, 5KR, 1MW Running with E’s (517) 266-6344 runningwithes@tc3net.com runningwithes.com

Turkey Trot

Oxford 10:00 am Seymour Lake Township 5KR Park (248) 628-1720 laurenjacobsen@ oxparkrec.org www.oxparkrec.org

Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk

Gladstone 9:45 am EST Veterans Park 5KR/W (906) 428-1776 fuddmx38@hotmail.com www.uprrc.org

Sun., November 8

Roseville Big Bird Run

Roseville 10:00 am 10KR, 1MR/W, 4KR Tony Lipinski (586) 445-5480 alipinski@rosevillemi.com Stay in the Shade’s Highland Trail Run

Highland 10:00 am Highland Recreation Area 4.8MR, 2MW (248) 320-9102 karl.stayintheshade @gmail.com www.stayintheshade.org

The Burg Trail Run

Laingsburg 1:00 pm Laingsburg HS X-C course 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MW Scott Danek (517) 285-6487 josetbrown@gmail.com www.leaf4Kids.com

Sat., November 14 ANG Road Hawg Classic

Battle Creek 9:00 am Battle Creek Air National Guard Base 10KR, 5KR/W (269) 969-3441 road.hawg@ mibatt.ang.af.mil greatlakeschampionchip.com

Gobble Gobble Gallup

Oak Park 9:00 am Oak Park Community Center 5KR (248) 691-7555 cspiller@ci.oak-park.mi.us www.ci.oak-park.mi.us

Grand Mere Grind

Stevensville 8:30 am Grand Mere State Park 10KR (269) 983-2822 dave_l_clayton@whirlpool. com grandmeresports.com

Hoffmaster Trail Run

Norton Shores 10:00 am 5.2MR P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Beach Parking Lot (232) 855-1282 runnersedge@verizon.net www.goracego.com

NCAA Division I Cross Country Regionals - Great Lakes

Bloomington, IN 11 am 10KR, 6KR Indiana University Cross Country Course (765) 494-7747 ncaasports.com

NCAA Division III Cross Country Regionals Midwest Terre Haute, IN 11 am 8KR, 6KR Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ncaasports.com

One Hill of a Run

Grand Rapids 9:00 am Union High School 10KR, 5KR (616) 260-2669 coachdroski@aim.com onehillofarun.mysite.com

Scarecrow Sprint XC Race

Fremont, OH 10:00 am 5KR Walsh Park (419) 334-5906 mdglotz@fremontohio.org

Woldumar Nature Center Run-a-Munk

Lansing 10:00 am Woldumar Nature Center 10KR, 5KR/W (517) 627-1251 littlepup52@yahoo.com

Sun., November 15 New Balance Girls on the Run 5K

Ypsilanti 10:00 am 5KR St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (734) 712-5640 danielle@ girlsontherunsemi.org www.girlsontherunsemi.org

Tues., November 17 Wayne County Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk

Westland 7:00 pm Merriman Hollow Park, Hines Drive 8KR/W (734) 261-1990 khealy@co.wayne.mi.us waynecountyparks.org

Sat., November 21 Blitzen the Dotte

Wyandotte 9:00 am 5KR/W 1 Pine Street (734) 365-4213 vnicholson@wowway.com everalracemgt.com

NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships

Evansville, IN 10:30 am 10KR, 6KR University of Southern Indiana (812) 237-4040 ncaasports.com

NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships

Berea, OH 10:30 am 8KR, 6KR HIghland Hills Golf Course Baldwin-Wallace College ncaasports.com

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Pat Kellerman Turkey Trot Bad Axe 11:00 am Bad Axe City Hall 5KR/W Lee Kahler (989) 269-8272

WMU Turkey Trot

Kalamazoo 9:00 am 5KR Western Michigan University Student Recreation Center (269) 387-4732 amy.seth@wmich.edu greatlakeschampionship.com

Sun., November 22 Run/Walk for Shelter 5K

Jackson 1:00 pm Ella Sharp Park Museum 5KR Grounds (517) 784-6620 jacksonhabitat@acd.net fitnesscouncil.org/ runjackson/

Mon., November 23 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships

Terre Haute, IN 11:00 am 10KR, 6KR Wabash Family Sports Center (812) 237-4040 ncaasports.com

Southwestern Michigan CollegeTurkey Trot

Dowagiac 4:00 pm Southwestern Michigan College 8KR, 5KR, 1 MR Ron Gunn (269)782-1209 rgunn@swmich.edu www.swmich.edu

Thanksgiving Day, November 26 1st Source Bank/ Niles/Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run

Niles 9:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MFR Niles/Buchanan YMCA (269) 683-1552 bret.hendrie@nb-ymca.org nb-ymca.org

Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

Ann Arbor 8:30 am University of Michigan

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

North Campus Recreational Center 5KR/W (248) 437-4524 sharon@goodboyevents.org goodboyevents.org

EverywhereUGO Turkey Trot

2:00 pm Traverse City (231) 645-8184 enid@everywhereugo.com

Fifth Third Bank Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Detroit 7:15 am Cobo Center 10KR, 5KR, 1MR The Parade Company (313) 247-4149 detroitturkeytrot.org Gazelle Sports Gobble Wobble

Grand Rapids 8:00 am 4MR, 1MR (616) 940-9888 jtaylor@gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Prediction Run

Kalamazoo 9:00 am Kalamazoo Valley Community College,Texas Corners Campus 5KR prediction run (269) 679-2351 sctaylor75@verizon.net kalamazooarearunners.com

Lansing Turkeyman Trot

Lansing 9:00 am Lansing Community College 5KR (517) 702-0226 cblock@lcc.edu runningfoundation.com

Smoke the Turkey 5K

Sylvania, OH 9:00 am St. James Club 5KR Elite Endeavors (419) 841-5597 jdjp@sev.org eliteendeavors.com Turkey Trot 5K

Alpena 9:00 am Alpena Fairgrounds 5K (989) 354-7314 jgentry@first-federal.com

Turkey Trot

9:00 am Gladstone Gladstone Van Cleve Park Beach House 5KR/W Dan Paul (906) 428-4457 danpaul70@gmail.com

Fri., November 27 Fantasy 5K

Howell 6:00 pm 5KR (517) 546-3020 bpilot@cac.net howell.org

Sat., November 28 The Downtown Mile

9:00 am Fremont, OH Rodger Young Park 1 MR (419) 334-5906 mdglotz@fremontohio.org www.fremontohio.org

Sun., November 29 Hansons Group Run

Lake Orion 8:00 am Hansons Running Shop (248) 693-9900 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Road Racing at Metro Beach

Harrison Twp 11:00 am Pointe Road - Metro Beach 2MR (248) 627-6619 ARPraces@aol.com geocities.com/arpraces/

December Thurs., December 3 Run Through the Lights

Kalamazoo 6:30 pm Gazelle Sports 5KR (269) 342-5996 avince@gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Friday, December 4 Dashing through the Snow

Fowlerville 6:00 pm Downtown Fowlerville 5KR/W (517) 223-3098 Ashley_mrspt@yahoo.com fowlervillesports.com

September - December 2009 Event Calendar Sat., December 5

Sun., December 6

Christmas Stocking Run

Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis - Northville

Flushing 10:00 am 4 MR/W Riverbend Striders (810) 487-0954 GRaceMgt@aol.com gaultracemanagement.com

December Chill Adventure Race

Brighton 9:00 am 7 hr sprint: canoeing, MB, orienteering, trekkking, fixed ropes Huron Meadows Metro Park (231) 233-4736 zac@infiterrasports.com infiterrasports.com

Dickens of a Run

Mt Pleasant 8:30 am Max & Emily’s, downtown 5KR (989) 772-0323 hplouff@yahoo.com edzone.net/~mphsstr/

Holiday Hustle 5K / 1 Mile

Dexter 7:00 pm downtown Dexterr 5KR, 1MR Andrea Allen (734) 929-9027

events@runningfit.com

runholiday5k.com

Jinglejog 5K Night Run / Jinglefest Parade

Fenton 6:00 pm 5KR Fenton Community Center, 150 S. Leroy (810) 629-5447 marketing@ fentonchamber.com www.fentonchamber.com

Reese Winter Road Race Series

Reese 10:00 am Reese High School 10KR, 5KR/W (989) 529-7904 Runwild1128@yahoo.com

Road Racing at Metro Beach

Harrison Twp 11:00 am Pointe Road - Metro Beach 2MR (248) 627-6619 ARPraces@aol.com geocities.com/arpraces/

Northville 9:00 am 5KRW, 1/4 M Snowman Shuffle Northville Downs (248) 269-2895 info.mi@arthritis.org www.arthritis.org

Manistee Jingle Bell Run 5K

10:00 am Manistee 5KR/W Manistee HS Eric Thuemmel (231) 398-9374 ethuemmel@manistee.org honoredstudents.org/mhs

Sat., December 12 Candy Cane Run

Grand Rapids 10:00 am GR Home for Veterans 6MR, 3MR, 1.5 MR (616) 459-5085 balzadragon33@yahoo.com grandrapidsrunningclub.org

Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis - Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield Hills 9:00 am 5KRW Covington School (248) 269-2895 info.mi@arthritis.org www.arthritis.org

Jingle Belle Women’s 5K

Lansing 10:00 am Delta Township District Library 5KR/W (517) 321-4014 chamrick@dtdl.org www.dtdl.org/?page_id=97

Run Like The Dickens and Tiny Tim Trot

Holly 9:00 am Karl Richter Campus 10KR, 5KR/W, Tiny Tim Trot Rob Basydlo (248) 328-3200 rob.basydlo@ holly.k12.mi.us runlikethedickens.com

Santa’s Boogie 5K Run/Walk

Gladstone 9:00 am EST Gladstone Van Cleve Park 5KR/W Beach House Dan Paul (906) 428-4457 danpaul70@gmail.com www.uprrc.org

USATF National Club Cross Country Championships

Lexington, KY 9:30 am 10KR, 6KR Masterson Station Park usatf.org/events/2009/USAT FClubXCChampionships/in dex.asp

USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships

Reno, NV 10:00 am Rancho San Rafael Regional Park usatf.org/events/2009/USAT FJuniorOlympicXCChampi onships/

Sun., December 13 Jingle Bell Run

New Baltimore 4:00 pm 5KR, 1MW (586) 725-4726 info@jinglebellrun.com www.jinglebellrun.com

Tues., December 15 Grosse Pointe Christmas Lights Run

Grosse Pointe 6:30 pm Hansons Running Shop, 20641 Mack Ave. 6 MR (313) 882-1325 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Thurs., Dec. 17 Snowy Watters Urban Run

Birmingham 7:00 pm 5MR/W Moosejaw Mountaineering (248) 320-5705 jeff@jeffwatters.com jeffwatters.com

Sat., December 19 Bay Area Runners Club Holiday 5K Run/Walk

5KR/W Center (989) 832-2267 jmetevia@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

HUFF 50K Trail Run

Huntington, IN 8:00 am Kekionga Trail, J. Edward Roush Lake, Kil-So-Quah Campground 50 KR, 50K Relay (260) 436-4824 info@huff50k.com www.huff50k.com

Sat., December 26 Boxing Day Fun Run and Fitness Walk

Sault Ste. Marie, ON 9 am Algoma’s Water Tower Inn 10KR, 5KR, 2KR Sault Ste. Marie Stryders saultstryders.com

Harold Webster Boxing Day 10 Mile Run

Hamilton, ON 11:00 am YMCA 79 James Street S. 10MR (905) 971-6040 boxingdayrun.ca

Sun., December 27 Hansons Group Run

sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Thurs, December 31

Fifth Third New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run/Walk Detroit 3:00 pm Belle Isle Park, 4MR/W, 1MR/W Jeanne Bocci (313) 886-5560 jeannebocci@ excite.com

New Years Eve 5K Run/Walk

Gladstone 1:00 pm EST 31 Tipperary 5KR/W Dan Paul (906) 428-4457 danpaul70@gmail.com www.uprrc.org

New Year’s Resolution Run

Flint 2:00 pm Downtown YMCA 8KR, 5KR/W (810) 659-6493 GRaceMgt@aol.com www.riverbendstriders.com

Lake Orion 8:00 am Hansons Running (248) 693-9900

- MR -

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Bay City 10:00 am Bay County Community

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Running with Tom Henderson

Photo by Merlin Elsner / runmichigan.com

Notes on the Run: Dogs

By Tom Henderson

Tom Henderson and his dog Maddie (second row, right) start Grandma’s 5K.

here the heck does the time go? How can it possibly be 21 years since Alexa Kraft died of breast cancer at age 39?

Alexa was, along with her good friends and neighbors in Grosse Pointe, Jeannie Bocci, and June MacDonald, one of the pioneers of women’s running. In 1976, for example, she won the Toledo Glass City Marathon in 3:01:56 to break the course record by more than 10 minutes. And she regularly posted 37-minute 10K times.

I didn’t know her. But I got to know her husband, Marty. In the months after Alexa’s death, he was an occasional visitor to the Tuesday night gatherings of the People Who Run Downtown. A nice guy — he’d been, or so I was told, a top runner in his day too. But he wasn’t running much, had put on weight and wore an aura of sadness that was palpable.

Marty had three or four young daughters, as I recall. I remember cheering on one or two of them a few years later at track meets at Grosse Pointe South High School. Flash forward: It’s July 12, 2009, and

my wife, Kathleen, our mad dog Maddie and I are at a first-time run, the Grandma Kay’s 5K in the sprawling Westview Orchards in Romeo.

It was a benefit for the Leader Dog program and Leader Dogs — current and puppies in training — were going to be there. People could learn more about the program and sign up to give puppies temporary homes.

I figured the event would be dog friendly, so we went out on a chance. If they wouldn’t let our dog run, we’d just head over to nearby Stoney Creek Metropark and go for a trail run and a kayak. No dogs allowed, they told us at registration.

I’d seen the course, all on wide dirt and grass roads through the orchards. I used the power of green. “It’s for a good cause,” I said. “Sure you couldn’t use our $40 in entry fees?”

Someone went to check with one of the owners. We told them our dog was great with people and a frequent racer, so she knew the rules of staying out of everyone’s way.

Michigan Runner - September / October 2009

Fine. No problem. Good luck.

It was a great first-time event, with one caveat. Sponsors got lucky with the noon start in mid-July, with the temperature at just 72. But the sun beat down brightly and it was hot, nonetheless, once you got moving.

Can we shoot for maybe 9 a.m. next year? And how about another tip? Since it’s a fund-raiser involving dogs, why not encourage canine participation by having a separate division for runners with dogs? Start them 15 minutes early so they don’t get in the way. Maybe pass out milk bones to the winners of various weight groups. The course was pretty and pretty tough, all on rolling terrain. Sponsors had a lot of food at the finish, were happy to dole out bottles of water for the dog, and we got lucky later when the generous door prizes included two big, free tasty fruit pies for the Hendersons.

The dog and I finished by my reckoning at about 7:58 pace. Two days away from turning 61, I thought with a relativelysmall field I might have a shot at an award. But, no, I got my butt whipped by this vaguely-familiar guy who managed to hit 7:20

one week, one and three the next and one and four the third.

pace and beat me by more than two minutes.

“Marty Kraft? Did they say his name was Marty Kraft?” I asked Kathleen.

As the Striders have cut back their race schedule, the series is down to a single night, with one- and three-mile races followed by a hotdog picnic.

“It looks a little like him,” she said. Except really slimmed down.

Fifteen minutes before the start of the one-miler, a thunderhead rolled over, it got as dark as night and lightning ripped as the rain poured down. Nate pulled into the parking lot and as he got out of the car, by magic, the rain stopped, the sun popped out and a full rainbow arced across the black clouds to the east.

We were on one side of the open area where they were handing out awards; he was on the other and I lost track of him. Later, while collecting her door prize inside a building where I couldn’t take the dog, Kathleen ran into him. Sure, enough, it was Marty. Back in shape. Kicking butt. Remarried. His wife, Lori, starting to get into running too, finished second in her 6069 age group in 40:34.

“Where’s the unicorn?” asked Nate.

“Don’t expect rainbows at every race,” I said.

Marty, I gotta tell you, bud, it felt just fine, better than fine, getting whipped by you. Glad to see how well things have gone.

He had no idea about pacing, wondered if he could break nine minutes, ran off my shoulder until the last turn, then left me and the dog in the dust, finishing in 6:53.

hings are going just fine with young Nate, too. That’d be Nathan Skid, my 26-year-old colleague at Crain’s Detroit Business. He joined the staff a year or so ago, a skinny smoker whom I nagged at about getting off the cancer sticks.

Beaming, elated, young Nate was in full throes of runner’s high.

Until 25 minutes later, now running off my shoulder in the three-mile race, he saw this big white sign to the right, next to the fence by the Detroit Zoo. It had a big “1” centered on it.

Nate and others talked me out of retirement to join the Crain’s softball team last year and I had so much fun I’m playing again this year. He finally listened to me about the smokes and quit. Then last January or February, he asked if could join me and another colleague for a short run in Elmwood Cemetery, one of the coolest places to run in Detroit.

“Does (gasp) that (gasp) mean (gasp) we (gasp) only (gasp) have (gasp) one (gasp) mile (gasp) to (gasp) go?” asked

young Nate.

“No. It means we have two miles to go.”

I heard a moan but the dude hung in there tough, stayed on my shoulder, gutted it out and finished a hair under eightminute pace, a minute-a-mile faster than his pre-race goal. We went to my car and popped a couple cold beers. “That was horrible,” he said. A few minutes later: “That was great. When’s the next one? Do you think I can do a 10K?”

Welcome to road racing. ~~

know I’m behind the times, but, hey, what a cool feature on runmichigan.com, the photo link where you can find photos of many of the state’s races.

There’s me and Nate and the dog taking off in the mile in Huntington Woods, the dog barking in delight at yet another race. There’s young Nate, pulling away from me in the mile. There’s Nate, looking as if he’d just finished the run across the Sahara at the end of the three-miler. There’s the starting line of Grandma Kay’s 5K, an historic schoolhouse in the background.

What a cool feature. And all of the photos available for download for just $4 each. What will they think of next? MR

I get a kick out of running with newbies, once upon a time getting great pleasure from training the rookies of the marathon fundraising team for the American Diabetes Association.

Anyway, Nate suffered through a couple months of winter running before feeling his first runner’s high during a four-miler, had started asking about a race and was he fast enough he wouldn’t make a fool of himself?

In June, I talked him into coming out to the Motor City Striders mid-week race in Huntington Woods. It used to be a threeweek series, with a one- and two-mile race

Photo by Merlin Elsner / runmichigan.com

We went slow, told him we were going to do two miles, then did three just to be ornery. He hung in there fine.

Nate Skid (bib no. 49), Tom Henderson (bib no. 45) and Maddie race in the Motor City Striders 3 Mile, Huntington Woods. Michigan Runner - September / October 2009