Michigan Runner, November / December 2009 by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc.

In This Issue November / December 2009

Vol. 31, No. 5

Calendar November 2009 - February 2010

p. 28

Features & Departments Editor’s Notes: Buzzards By Scott Sullivan Rockford Native Sets U.S. 5000-Meter Mark By Grant Lofdahl Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard Beyond the Chip: A Closet Full of Memories By Laurel Park Beyond the Chip: Evenings in Berlin By Desiree Davila Berlin Makes History Again with World Championships By Gary Morgan Run the Reuther: 20 Years After By Dr. Edward Kozloff 20+-Year Crim Veteran Makes Race Debut By Bill Khan Brooksie Way a Success (But What Was in the Cup) By William J. Kalmar Running with Tom Henderson

p. 4 p. 6 p. 8 p. 9 p. 11 p. 12 p. 14 p. 21 p.22 p. 34

At the Races Big House Big Heart Launches New Course, Added Distance By Tracey Cohen Whale of a Turnout at Run Wild for Zoo By Charles Douglas McEwen Close to 1,000 Dig into Hot, Hilly Melon Run By Charles Douglas McEwen Beaver Island Embraces First Marathon By Tracey Cohen MSU Grad Students Rule at Capital City Runs By Charles Douglas McEwen 15,000+ Celebrate Ever-Growing Crim By Charles Douglas McEwen Storm-Delayed Team Marathon Makes Big Splash By Grant Lofdahl Red October Draws Record Turnout Despite Wind, Rain By Charles Douglas McEwen Second-Half Hills Thrill at Brooksie Way By Ron Marinucci Kensington Hills Start Early –– and Never End By Charles Douglas McEwen T-Rex Triathletes Romp Through Rain By Katie Kelly-Noble Collegiate, Prep Harriers Shine at Spartan Meet By Katie Kelly-Noble Playmakers Classic Improves with Age By Katie Kelly-Noble Applefest Winners Harvest Cider, Pies By Charles Douglas McEwen 30th Annual Grosse Pointe Runs are Pearls Indeed By William J. Kalmar Milford Labor Day Races are Labor Worth Loving By Charles Douglas McEwen Witch’s Hat Run Conjures Spell for 500 Plus By Charles Douglas McEwen Beauty Rises at Tahqua Falls By Tom Henderson

p. 7 p. 10 p. 15 p. 16 p. 17 p. 18 p. 20 p. 22 p. 23 p. 24 p. 24 p. 25 p. 25 p. 26 p. 26 p. 27 p. 35 p. 36

Dathan Ritzenhein sets a PR in the 10,000 meter run at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Berlin, Germany. Photo by Victah Sailer, Photorun.net

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Editor’s Notes Buzzards © C. Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

By Scott Sullivan

hile running yesterday I saw buzzards overhead. Uh-oh. I looked for dead things nearby. Nothing. I thought of friends who’d placed last in races, trailed by pickup trucks with guys picking up the Scott Sullivan course cones. Or by ambulances. Or hearses. I picked up my pace. Slugs and eons passed. I thought of the last living World War I veteran, Harry Patch, who died in England July 25 at age 111. “His prime message,” said friend Jim Ross, “is that we should settle disputes by negotiation and compromise, not by war.” Wimp. You would think, after 111 years, stirring words of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” — marching on God’s side, loosing fateful lightning ... — would have drowned out memories of his actual war experience. I recalled battle hymns of Republicans when Dick Cheney, who had five Vietnam-era draft deferments, shouted down soldiers like Colin Powell in sending off youths to enjoy war’s glories.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Nothing wrecks romance like experience. See enough others die for causes and you start to think a better cause is to live. I felt dead from my own running war against aging and self-indulgence ... my body howling as the birds circled. Even the best-trained runners go through their hairy patches. We who are less so are forced to negotiate and compromise more often: cut back our mileage, pace ... save our “never say die” for affairs more urgent. Running, once a be-all and end-all for me, has become part of something greater. Wars waged by fanatics — against sloth, injustice, lies, name your Satan — have value as scavengers ridding the world of the rot it generates. If what they fight for contains the same innate rot, so be it. When the wheel turns it’s a revolution, but if its axis is fixed the wheel merely spins in place. There is something greater. My body, laboring — trying to postpone its demise, not hasten it — needs things that I can provide it (more nutrition, rest) and things I can’t (fewer miles already accrued and years). Each time I head out, it’s the same but different. Birds revolve in the sky, the world turns. I return to where my run started and the axis seems fixed, yet everywhere. I will carry on till I am carrion, it seems. MR

By Grant Lofdahl

Rockford Native Sets U.S. 5000-Meter Mark

hen Rockford native Dathan Ritzenhein was setting the high school distance running world on fire a decade ago, many so-called experts predicted gold medals and American records for the precocious youngster. Ritzenhein won Footlocker national cross country titles as a junior and senior and won the state title his senior year by 55 seconds with an amazing 14:10 for 5000 meters — on grass. While Ritzenhein, now 26 and based in Portland, Ore., has won collegiate and national titles in the intervening years, he had never set a U.S. record until Aug. 28 this year.

He stepped onto the track for the 5000 meters at the prestigious Weltklasse track and field meet in Zurich, Switzerland, as a bit of an afterthought in a field of African elites including world record-holder Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia. There had been talk of a possible assault on Bekele’s standard of 12:37.35, and the early pace was extremely fast. Ritzenhein, the lone non-African in the race, was hoping merely to lower his own personal best of 13:16 and was quickly relegated to the back of the pack. His patience soon paid off however, as Ritzenhein continued to hold a pace near 13 minutes flat. Only two Americans, U.S. record-

holder Bob Kennedy (12:58.21) and Kenyanborn Bernard Lagat, had ever broken the 13minute barrier and with a few laps to go it was clear that Ritzenhein had a chance at it. Bekele had passed the halfway point at a close to world-record pace and many runners chasing him later felt the effects. Ritzenhein passed Kenyan standout after standout, clicking off 62- and 63-second laps. With 800 meters to go, he needed a 2:02 for his final half-mile to challenge Kennedy’s record, set on the same track in 1996. Bekele, realizing he was falling off worldrecord pace, needed only to hold on for the win to earn a share of the $1-million Golden League track and field jackpot. With less than 400 meters left, Ritzenhein was in second place and charging. Bekele found another gear, as he has so often during his eight world and Olympic title races, and prevailed in 12:52. Kenyan Edwin Soi passed the sprinting American in the final straightaway for second place. Ritzenhein crossed the line in 12:56.27, breaking Kennedy’s 13-year-old national record by nearly two seconds. He appeared stunned at the magnitude of his accomplishment.

Photo by Giancarlo Colombo / photorun.net

“I didn’t want to put limitations and expectations (coming into the race),” he told the Flotrack.org Web site. “I felt like 12:58 was maybe not far-fetched, but it was definitely a little bit of a pipe dream. I felt like I was in shape to get close to 13 minutes. “I kept telling myself over and over again in the race, ‘I could break the American record.’ I kept telling myself that probably 50 times just to try to keep myself going.”

Where’s Ritz? At first, Ritz appeared to be in the wrong race, running last in this field of 11. At about 3,000 meters, he began moving up in the field, moving to seventh with two laps to go, then to second in the home stretch and finishing in third. World-record holder, Kenenisa Bekele (third from right) was first. Watch the video of Ritz’ record run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKMZfYn6e80 or search YouTube: kenenisa 5000m golden league 6

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Ritzenhein was coming off an excellent performance and personal record at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Berlin less than two weeks earlier, when he clocked 27:22.28 in the 10,000 and placed sixth in warm conditions. That race marked his debut under new coach Alberto Salazar, an ex-distance great himself who has enjoyed much recent success as a coach. Ritzenhein had been focused almost exclusively on marathons recently, including a ninth-place finish at last summer’s Beijing Olympics and a PR of 2:10:00 at London this April. Salazar encouraged him to go back to the track to work on his speed, and that advice paid off in Zurich.

Big House Big Heart, Ann Arbor

Ritzenhein set a personal record at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Berlin when he clocked 27:22.28 in the 10,000 and placed sixth. Salazar was nearly as surprised as his protégé at the U.S. record, but said it could mark a watershed moment in American distance running. “What Dathan did today validates what everyone in this country has been trying to do: to show Americans can run with the best east Africans,” Salazar told USA Today. “What we needed was a kid born in this country — here’s a kid from the Midwest — able to run with them.” “After last week in Berlin, I had so much confidence,” Ritzenhein told Flotrack’s Mark Floreani. “I got in the race and I had mixed feelings: ‘I feel like I should go for it because when am I going to get these opportunities? It doesn’t happen often and I’m feeling great,’ but at the same time (the pace) felt so fast. I had all these things going on in my head. “Finally, with halfway to go, I just really got into it. I felt like I was grinding it out and catching people. I could see Bekele coming back. It was awesome.” Awesome indeed for a former Rockford Ram state champion and now American record holder. MR

Greg Sadler Photography / sadlershots.com

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Big House Big Heart Launches New Course, Added Distance

The Big House Big Heart races start at Michigan Stadium–– the Big House By Tracey Cohen

ANN ARBOR (10/04/09) – Neither overcast skies, a Wolverine football defeat at the hands of their Spartan rivals nor a gloomy economy dimmed the spirits of more than 10,000 runners, walkers, spectators and volunteers who took part in the third annual Big House Big Heart 5K, 10K, 1-mile run and walk charity event. The day remained dry and windless with temperatures in the mid-50s. A new 5K course and the addition of a 10K race received rave reviews. The 8 a.m. 10K start let distance-hungry competitors run all three events. Each race began at Michigan Stadium with a ceremony featuring special guests including University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman and hockey coach Red Berenson. After welcomes from Coleman and Berenson, 10K runners embarked on a twoloop course through the U-M campus. Natalie Lueth of Ann Arbor was glad there was only one big hill and many downhills. Sean Paraventi, who ran the 5K and 10K, felt that the courses’ many turns proved challenging. He pronounced the hill “brutal — especially the second time around.” He said an event with so many people could be daunting, but having it at Michigan Stadium

where large crowds are accommodated regularly was a good thing — especially the absence of long bathroom lines. Chelsea Earls, the women’s 5K winner in 19:07, said she liked this year’s course much better, “especially running through more of the campus.” Cuddly and enthusiastic mascots doled out high-fives and cheers as athletes of all ages wound their way through campus and down the stadium tunnel to a roaring rendition of the Michigan fight song. After bursting onto the field while watching themselves on the U- M Jumbotron, runners finished their mission on the 50-yard line among cheering friends and family. Ian Forsyth led the men in the 10K, crossing in 31:18. Last year’s 5K winner, Nadia Baadj, paced the women in 38:05. Joining Earls as a 5K victor was Andrew Coates, the top male in 15:26. Race director Andrea Highfield said it appeared they would meet their goal of raising $500,000 for nonprofit organizations. Complete results and information on Big House Big Heart 2010 can be found a www.bighousebigheart.com. Tracey Cohen can be reached by email at runtrace2000@yahoo.com. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard Trivia: The buzz in the sprint world concerns the magnificent dashes of Jamaica’s Usain Bolt in the World Track & Field Championships in Berlin in August. An Eastern Michigan University teammate of mine from Trinidad & Tobago won the Olympic 100-meter gold in 1976. Who is he? RUN DOWN. The bane of runners are injuries and illness. Rare are those who steer clear of a little or lot of down time to recover from an ache or malady. Three times I’ve missed a year to different infirmities, less time to the pain of a chipped bone in an ankle after a clumsy fall and a heel raked by spikes in a cross-country race. Besides time off for accidents (which I’ve had plenty), I’ve lost time to days where I did too much, too fast and often. On those occasions I woke up to a symptom of stress, ignored it or played the edge ... and grew sick or hurt as a result. I’ve shared signs of stress in this space before, but enough time has passed that it’s worthwhile looking at them again. Too often we overlook or downplay the significance of stress and paying the price is the unkindest cut.

heavy, certain mild symptoms occur. These are warnings more serious trouble might develop if care isn’t taken. Signs of overdoing it: 1. Low level and persistent soreness and stiffness in the muscles, tendons and joints. 2. Frequent mild colds and sore throats. 3. Swelling and aching in the lymph glands, particularly in the neck, underarm and groin areas. 4. Skin eruptions in non-adolescents. 5. Excessive nervousness, depression, irritability, headaches and inability to relax or sleep. 6. Nagging fatigue and general sluggishness that lingers from day to day. 7. Aching stomach, often accompanied by loss of appetite and weight. 8. Diarrhea or constipation. 9. Unexplained drops in performance. 10. Disinterest in normally-exciting activities Take note of these gentle reminders and take appropriate corrective action (which normally means simply lowering the overall stress level). Reminders get progressively less gentle, symptoms more severe. A good rule of thumb regarding aches is if they don’t ease away during the first mile of a run, it’s probably smart to stop and go to Plan B: lower the stress level. Plan B could include cycling, swimming or other non-weight-bearing exercises or plain old rest. Try a test mile another day. Some of you have probably run through an ache, dodging injury. You’re the exception to the rule as too much stress normally results in breakdown.

I originally found signs of stress in two different Runner’s World publications more than 35 years ago. These are taken from an RW Booklet of the Month titled “Runner’s Training Guide 1973.” You might want to copy and post them as reminders:

Heeding the signs of stress is good advice and better medicine. Better to ease off now than miss an interminable amount of time later (all missed time seems interminable).

Running doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s one of many stresses the athlete has to cope with. This family of stresses works as one:

1. I saw an unusually-large percentage of people running with traffic at their backs on the roads this summer. I cringe with concern when I see that. Probably new runners.

• Work stress: specific stress of running and general stress of a day’s physical and mental labor. • Emotional stress: anxiety, depression, boredom, etc. • Social stress: alienation, isolation, overcrowding, etc. • Dietary stress: too much food, too little, wrong type. • Health stress: injury, illness, infection, etc. • Rest stress: inadequate recovery from work, sleep deprivation. • Environmental stress: heat, cold, water and noise pollution. All these working together draw on the adaptive reserves. When the drain becomes too

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS.

2. I haven’t run a race in many years, so I haven’t paid much attention to capital-E Escalating entry fees. Fees have mushroomed the past decade! Too much so? I can’t say for sure, but even if they haven’t that detail doesn’t ease the sting when writing a check or charging it. 3. Seems like three in four runners I see are plugged into their favorite tunes, but only one in four are similarly equipped at races. I don’t know why this. 4. Three years ago in this space I wrote about the accuracy of Garmin GPS units. I said, “In general, I’d guess GPS units are accurate to about one

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

part in 100.” Every reading I’ve seen since supports my guess. Example: a reading of 10.1 on a GPS watch equals 10 miles on the Crim 10-mile course. A higher number at Crim means you deviated some from the shortest possible route. Runners getting GPS figures from uncertified courses and on training runs are advised to consider the 1 part in 100 formula to calculate actual distance covered. 5. Special congratulations to Rockford native Dathan Ritzenhein for setting a new American record of 12:56.27 for 5000 meters on the track in Zurich, Switzerland Aug. 28. Ritz has represented the U.S. internationally on the track, the roads and in cross-country, something few others can claim. 6. I really, really hope winter 2009-10 is milder than last year. 7. On a rainy first Saturday in November 1969, 40 years ago, the Ann Arbor Huron boys cross-country team won the Lower Peninsula Class A Finals. I was on that team, along with Andy Campbell, Eddie Fisher, Carl and Martin Hueter, Adrian Newby and supersoph Karl Tsigdinos. Our coach was Des Ryan. The team win stands out on my short list of happiest sports experiences. 8. It had been 22 years since we’d last seen each other, so I was tickled when Joan Benoit Samuelson said, “I remember you,” following a pre-Crim race function. I joined the ‘84 Olympic marathon gold medalist and Greg Meyer (whose résumé isn’t shabby) for dinner. She’s as warm, centered, driven and busy as I recalled, and on race day ran to a pending American 10-mile women’s 50-54 age-group record by 1 1/2 minutes with her stellar 1:00:30. 9. Runners and endurance athletes were blessed with extraordinary summer weather this year. It was rarely too hot and unusuallycool temps made working out and racing less of an ordeal. Thank you, Weather Mama! 10. Comments by a friend that he’d recently gone on the longest-lasting run in his life made me wonder about my longest. I don’t have to think too hard because I was never one to go on extremely-long runs. The longest time I’ve run continuously is 10 seconds under 3 hours at the 1980 Glass City Marathon in Toledo. I’ve exceeded 3 hours dozens of times on bicycling training rides, tours and in races in the past 10 years. 11. Speaking of cycling, if you ride a bike please wear a helmet. Your family and friends thank you. Answer: Hasely Crawford. The former Huron was also in the ‘72 Olympic 100-meter final. MR

Beyond the Chip By Laurel Park

his October marks the sixth anniversary of my husband’s forced retirement from running. For some reason, it seems much longer than that.

Perhaps because the transition was so abrupt: Walked Laurel Park into the doctor’s office a runner; emerged an hour later a former runner. Perhaps because it was so absolute: No “final race,” no winding down of training, no gradual withdrawal from running clubs and various runningrelated activities. Perhaps, ironically, because we were both so successful at accepting the diagnosis and moving on. Rich is good at that sort of thing anyway, and I really didn’t see anything to be gained by dwelling on a situation that couldn’t be changed. Within a couple weeks he had purchased his first bike and was well on his way to his “second career” as a competitive cyclist. Cycling has become a major activity in Rich’s life, just as running once was. He’s a member of a local cycling team and while weekends used to be spent traveling to running races, they’re now spent on 3-4 hour training rides or traveling to cycling races. He has a new set of training partners now: a great group of guys who are tremendous fun to be around. It’s a lot like running but with much more (expensive) equipment. When people ask me what I miss the most about Rich’s retirement from running, my response is immediate: Traveling to races together. Whenever possible I attend his cycling events, but since those tend to last several hours (excluding travel time), and since weekends are really the only time I have to take care of non-work activities, it’s not always an option. And since he trains or has his own events on weekends, Rich rarely comes to my races anymore. When I’m at a race I don’t tend to think about this too much, not from any sense of

denial or such, but usually because I have other things to focus on. I’m generally engaged in the present rather than dwelling on the past. The reminders of Rich’s nearly 25-year running career still fill our home, of course. Our cupboard contains an admirable collection of race mugs. The walls of our guest bedroom are filled with race photographs. Jackets from various team races hang in our front closet. A shelf in our basement is lined with old running shoes, which I suspect will be cleared away sometime in the not-too-distant-future to make room for yet more wheels, gears and other mechanical gizmos. And then, of course, there are the t-shirts. Dozens of t-shirts. Two decades’ worth of race shirts that are literally crammed onto two large shelves in our bedroom closet. While I know there are people out there who have a lot more shirts than Rich does (I believe it’s some kind of psychological disorder), his array is still pretty impressive.

shelves, in several piles, with some falling unfolded and others buried deep against the wall. I grabbed a handful at a time and tossed them aside, rooting through the piles until I finally located the one I wanted. I then sat down and began folding the others that were scattered across the floor. What I hadn’t expected was the flood of memories. All of a sudden — as if for the first time — it hit me that the shirts represented a chapter of our lives that was closed forever. I’m not sure why; I’ve certainly folded race shirts many times in the past six years. Maybe it was seeing them all together. Maybe it was seeing shirts that I hadn’t seen in several years. Whatever the trigger, it was powerful stuff. I found the shirt from the 1994 Falmouth Road Race, which we ran on our honeymoon. I found shirts from races he’d run while a graduate student at the University of Illinois. I found shirts from the old “Twilight Triple Crown” series of the mid-1990s: The Roadrunner Classic (when it was still an evening race), the Trenton 5-Miler and the Allen Park Street Fair 8K. I found the shirt from the 1995 Grandma’s Marathon, the race where he had qualified for the Olympic Trials. I found a few truly old shirts from his years at Bucknell and a couple that I suspect date from high school. There were the “Arizona” and “NCAA Cross-Country Championships” shirts from his senior year of college, when the Bucknell XC team qualified for Nationals.

Photo by Dave Foley

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

A Closet Full of Memories

I’ve collected my fair share over the years as well, but I make it a Rich Stark runs point every now the 1993 River and then to sort Bank Run. through them and donate the ones that I no longer wear.

There was an old, faded adidas tank top that he’s wearing in a photograph taken at one of his hometown races in the mid-1980s. I found the shirt from the 2003 Witch’s Hat Run — the last race he ever ran. The memories were bittersweet, of good times that I’m loath to surrender. I miss those days and most of all I miss the companionship. I miss warming up and cooling down together, and cheering for each other at the finish.

Rich has a few shirts that haven’t seen the light of day since Bush 1 was president. To his credit, he still wears many of them. And cyclists don’t seem to collect shirts at nearly the same rate as runners. So the shirts are, for the most part, still useful.

But life goes on. Many of the friends who shared in those events have moved on to other things in their lives, too. I consider myself lucky to have such terrific memories.

One lazy Saturday morning last summer I started sifting through his shirts, looking for one in particular that I needed to complete a quilt. They were stacked haphazardly on the

I finished folding the shirts, stacked them neatly in piles, and returned them to the closet. Then I turned off the light and shut the door. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak

Whale of a Turnout at Run Wild for Zoo

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Morgan, 27 (37:56) and Sonja Hanson, 40 (40:51).

HUNTINGTON WOODS (9/20/09) — As a veterinary technician, Paula Antoniou, 36, of Lake Orion works exclusively with cats, but she has affection for larger animals as well.

Humphrey won the men’s 10K by almost five minutes in 29:38, a road personal record. (He has a 29:03 PR on the track.) “I thought if everything went perfect today, I could run fairly fast,” he said. “But I’ve run 115 miles this week, so I didn’t know if I could PR today.”

So she was ecstatic to win the Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 5K run, which raises money for the Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex and veterinary care for the zoo animals.

Animal lovers of all varieties were among the record turnout of 2,857 this year. Antoniou’s 19:39 time beat her former 5K best of 20:18. Emili Jackson, 28, of Royal Oak finished three seconds behind her. Next came Jacqueline McKinley, 24, also of Royal Oak, in 19:55. Though she ran wild at the zoo, Antoniou didn’t feel as free and easy as a gazelle.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“I love this race,” Antoniou said. “I was running with Team Macomb, a group of alumni from my old (Macomb Community College) veterinary school . Being a veterinary tech, this race is a very big deal for me.”

When the opportunity presented itself, Humphrey pounced on it. “Kevin (Hanson) was at the six-mile mark and yelled, ‘You have a good one going. Finish hard!’” recalled Humphrey. “So I did.” Behind Humphey in second and third places Dave Chomet, 40, of Berkley (34:03) and Victor Brown, 46, of Canton (35:24). The event, which included a fun walk inside the zoo and a post-race party, helped benefit the Detroit Zoological Society. Complete results can be found at http://www.detroitzoo.org. MR

Paula Antoniou set a PR and won the Run Wild 5K. “Actually, I felt horrible,” she grimaced. “5Ks are really hard because you have to run as fast as you can right from the start. The whole time you’re talking to yourself, saying, ‘Keep it up. Keep it up. I know it hurts, but it will be over soon.’”

Christian Wagner, 23, running his first race for Hansons-Brooks, roared to victory in the men’s 5K. Erin Richard, 23, also new to the program, claimed the women’s 10K. And Luke Humphrey, 28, a six-year HansonsBrooks veteran, dominated the men’s 10K. Wagner finished the 5K in 14:50, more than two minutes ahead of runner-up Gavin Smith, 32, of Northville (16:53) and nearly three minutes ahead of third-place finisher Eric Prowse, 31, of Hazel Park (17:39).

Erin Richard, new to the Hansons-Brooks distance project, won the 10K.

“My coaches (brothers Kevin and Keith Hanson) just told me to run hard,” Wagner said. “And that’s what I did.” Richard coasted to her 10K victory in 37:01. Next came Rochester residents Kelly

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2009runwild/ 10

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Runners from the Rochester Hills-based Hansons-Brooks Development Project took home a lion’s share of victories.

Ben Kendall, age 13, lost a shoe, but crossed the finish line in 18:23

Beyond the Chip By Desiree Davila

Evenings in Berlin find myself sitting among American throwers, jumpers or sprinters, feeling a sense of team camaraderie. Regardless of our disciplines, everyone was on the edge of their seat watching the final 100 meters of the men’s 1500, and there was collective disappointment and sympathy for world record-holder Elena Isinbaeva as she no-heighted in the pole vault.

Desiree Davila of the Rochester Hills-based Hansons-Brooks Distance Project enjoyed a breakthrough performance at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin Aug. 23, placing 11th in the women’s marathon in personal-record time of 2:27:53. Here, she looks back on her experience.

For that short week and change, the hotel was 100-percent dedicated to the World Championships. It became the temporary home of some of the best athletes in the world. Those lucky enough to posses credentials were greeted by three large security guards before entering this track paradise. Immediately to the left was a large-screen TV with a lineup of athletes waiting to play Wii Sports, while others got competitive over pingpong or foosball matches. To the right was a results board, crowded by track geeks analyzing the day’s performances. Straight ahead sat a table covered with the daily meet program, filled with news, schedules and athlete profiles. All of this was just in the lobby. Athletes were scattered around relaxing, using laptops, watching TV ... the entire place was

In that dining room, for a handful of hours every night, there was a sense of unity. Regardless of a competitor’s nationality, when Usain Bolt ran faster than any man ever over 100 meters, there was amazement and pride among us all.

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

he World Championships’ host hotel was the Estrel Berlin. It is so large I briefly got lost a time or two. It is outside the main city of Berlin and even further from the track, but during my short stay I never felt disconnected from the competition taking place miles away.

At that moment, I shared the same sense of wonder as the Polish discus thrower off to my right and the Japanese marathoner sitting on my left. Sure, we couldn’t communicate a word about it, but the chills it sent down our arms were the same. The feeling was unreal, the excitement palpable, and the energy enough to produce a visceral thrill.

Desiree Davila

Every evening at six was the same and yet no evening was the same. The experience never lacked entertainment.

buzzing. Meeting room after meeting room was filled with things for the athletes: massages, TVs, ice baths and of course the massive dining hall.

The World Championships were an amazing experience: running through the Brandenburg Gate, setting a PR and getting the opportunity to race in a USA jersey were certainly among the highlights of my trip.

During the day everyone had their own agenda and schedule. Athletes went in and out at will to practices, competitions, meetings and so on. Walking through the lobby for a run, I might recognize a U.S. teammate having just finished up his or her own workout. We would give a head nod of recognition and continue our ways, off to finish our daily tasks.

However, the one thing I will always remember is the nights in the dining area. The evenings where kicking back and watching a track meet, enjoying doing a whole lot of nothing, felt like everything. MR

With all the craziness, one thing was constant: Every evening at six a hush swept the hallways, the Wii was left unarmed, results board bare and lobby looking like a ghost town. At 6 p.m. only one room — the dining room — was important. At 5:45 athletes filled the serving area and flooded their plates with maybe a little more food than needed, so there would be no interruptions over the next few hours. At six sharp, all eyes were forward as the track coverage was projected live onto the large screen.

Usain Bolt leads 100m semi-final.

The U.S. distance runners generally grouped together, but it wasn’t uncommon to

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Occasionally we’d chat briefly: “Hey, how’d your race go?” “Good, made it to the next round” — short but sweet, and again on our way. During the day the Estrel was a busy little city of organized chaos.

Elena Isinbaeva

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Berlin, Germany

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Berlin Makes History Again with World Championships

Photographer Victah Sailer freezes the action just after the gun as women sprinters take off at the World Championships in Berlin. By Gary Morgan

BERLIN, GERMANY (8/15-23/09) — I knew going to Berlin for the 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships Aug. 15-23 was going to be special with all the big names coming, the history of the Olympic Stadium and Berlin itself. As I entered the city the day before competition started, excitement was everywhere. I grabbed my credentials and headed to the Brandenberg Gate for the opening ceremonies. The show featured a symphony with singers, rock band, Olympic champions and fireworks shot from atop the gate. It was a spectacular way to start a nine-day event that the whole world would be watching. Day one of the competition brought me back to the Gate to watch the men’s 20-kilometer walk: a 2K loop that the athletes did ten times. The start and finish were at the gate. There were lots of spectators, which the competitors had to like because usually nobody watches walking. Valery Borchin won, the start of a 12

Russian walking sweep. All the walks, plus the men’s and women’s running marathons, started at the Gate, a great venue boasting Jumbotrons, music, crowds and a festive atmosphere. Berlin’s famed Olympic Stadium, host of the 1936 Games where Jesse Owens set all those records, served as track site. It is made out of stone with statues all around it. It had a partial roof, new seats and track, but the rest was original. The swimming pool, soccer fields and other parts of the 63-year-old complex are still standing too. Shot putter Christian Cantwell gave the U.S. its first gold medal of the championship. The women’s 10,000 meters saw five women in contention to win with 100 meters left; Linat Chepkwermoi Masai from Kenya won. America’s Amy Begley had a PR and finished sixth. That exciting race set the tone for everything that ensued. I watched the women’s 20K walk on day two from the top of Victory Monument. From 100 feet high I could see the beautiful city spread out with all its parkland for recre-

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

ation. Russian Olympic gold medalist Olga Kaniskina won again. The stadium crowd was bracing for history in the making. The two fastest humans ever, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay of the U.S., would be facing off in the 100. The gun sounded and 9.58 seconds later it was over; Bolt set another world record and Gay took second in a new U.S. record. The crowd went crazy. Track fans will talk about that race for years to come. There were no events scheduled on the morning of day three except the media 800meter run. There were 10 heats with 83 runners: the winners got trophies and watches while the rest of us got the memory of running in the World Championships. I won’t tell you my time; I used to walk faster than that! The evening session saw upsets galore in the women’s pole vault as the Russians failed to qualify. Polish women won first and second, with Chelsea Johnson of the U.S. tying for second to bring home the silver medal. This made up for her missing the Olympic

team last year, Johnson said. As great as the 1936 Olympics were in this stadium, we were witnessing history once again — this time before a very different crowd and world.

The men’s 10,000 metes was a phenomenal race of strategy, pace and sprint speed. The leaders went through 5K in 13:40, then the hammer dropped. Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia ran the last 400 meters in 60 seconds flat to win by four seconds, his fourth title in these championships. Michigan native Dathan Ritzehein set a PR in 27:22 to place sixth.

The men’s 50K walk on day seven involved 25 brutal loops of a 2K course, going five miles longer than the marathon. Sergey Kirdyapin won gold to complete the Russian walk sweep. His time of 3:38:35 would have taken him through the marathon mark in 3:02:00. Jesus Garcia, 40, from Spain was the oldest medalist at these games, winning bronze.

On day four Steffi Nerius of Germany captured the women’s javelin. The German crowd cheered for all the athletes, but went crazy supporting their own country men and and women.

On the track, two-time defending women’s 200-meter champion Allyson Felix of the U.S. put the hammer down from the start to win convincingly over her Jamaican challengers. In the men’s 400, LaShawn Merritt pulled away from U.S. countryman and rival Jeremy Wariner in the final 100 meters. What a way to wrap up the night.

Sanya Richards of the U.S. smiled ear-toear after winning the women’s 400 meters; she had only placed third in last year’s Olympics. American Kerron Clement, who claimed the men’s 400-meter hurdles, was asked afterward if he was aiming for Kevin Young’s 17-year-old world record. “I’m still working on that 12-step routine,” he said.

The men’s marathon on day eight was held on a 10K loop starting and ending at the Gate. I could see a lot of it going back and forth to the 5K and start-finsh line. The leaders were cooking on this course, running sub 30-minute 10Ks consistently. Abel Kirui of Kenya won in 2:06:54, a new championship record, before a crowd in excess of 50,000 people. The athletes loved the big crowds at this event.

On day five, the halfway point of the Championships, I looked back on my time in this vibrant, fun city with friendly residents. They were especially proud of how the Berlin Wall came down without violence. This took place 20 years ago, yet you can find pictures of it everywhere. So much was happening it was hard to choose what to cover. One event I enjoyed especially was sponsored by the Laureus Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for children in developing countries. Several Olympic champions, including Sebastian Coe, Edwin Moses and Kip Keino, serve as foundation spokesmen. They have distributed shoes, soccer balls and computers to kids, in the process developing education and sports for all.

Sponsors held a post-marathon 10K for all of us recreational athletes. I joined 16,000 runners tackling the championship course at a considerably slower pace. Everyone who finished got a medal with the Brandenberg Gate on it. I give organizers credit for making these Championships for everyone: athletes, media, spectators and volunteers.

On the track, the men’s pole vault turned into one of the most-impressive performances I’ve ever seen. Steve Hooker from Australia took only two vaults because he was hurt. First he jumped at 5.85 meters, the leading height, and missed. Then he had the bar moved up to 5.90 and made the height for the win. The women’s hammer throw produced a new world record and everyone stuck around to see it. Anita Wlodarczyk from Poland won gold, plus a $100,000 check. Betty Hedler set a new German record. Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya took gold in the women’s 5000 meters, with second and third less than one second back. The men’s and women’s 4x100 were swept by the Jamaicans. Dwight Phillips won the men’s long jump and was presented the gold medal by Jesse Owens’ granddaughter. The last day of the Championships brought me back to the Gate for the women’s marathon. American Kara Goucher placed 10th, a disappointment for her. However, Desiree Davila from Michigan finshed 11th with a PR of 2:27:53, a fantastic race for her. I went to a press conference where the mayor of Berlin gave Bolt a piece of the Wall with his likeness on it. It will take a cargo plane to get that memento home. On the track, American Brittney Reese won gold in the long jump, as did the U.S. men’s and women’s 4x400 relay teams: a bit of redemption for not placing in the 4x100. It was a spectacular Championship that the world enjoyed watching. The Germans must be commended for their efforts. Berlin, already a great city, was made more so by this event. MR

Day six saw another great field-event dual in the women’s high jump as Blanka Vlasic from Croatia defeated a Russian and Ariana Friedrich, a German favorite. Blanka was dancing around the stadium after her win. Bolt gave another superhuman performance in the 200, posting another worldrecord time of 19:19. Nobody was close. America had another decathlon champion in Trey Hardee. As I watched the decathletes run the 1500 meters, I knew they were hurting after doing nine other events in the last 48 hours. They are my heroes of track and field.

Photo by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Back on the track, German Robert Harting won the discus gold medal, then flipped Berlino, the games’ bear mascot, as the crowd went wild. Bernard Lagat of the U.S. was happy with his bronze in the 1500. At this level of competition, any medal’s great.

Becky Breish, from Edwardsville, Michigan, competes in the discus in the Olympic Stadium. Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Run the Reuther: 20 Years After

By Dr. Edward Kozloff

ec. 10 marks the 20th anniversary of “Run the Reuther.” Most people have few chances to run on a freeway, particularly one expected to have 130,000 vehicles travel it daily upon opening.

I-696 cost more than $765 million (a lot of money in 1989) and was over three decades in the making. It connected south Oakland County suburbs, linking I-96 in the west to I-94 in the east. Opposition from municipalities worried that the highway would cut through their cities, and the resultant legal action, caused years to pass after the eastern portion the Reuther had been finished. Eventually, though, the final link was completed. Early in 1989, the Motor City Striders sought Michigan Department of Transportation permission to conduct a running event on the freeway before its official opening. Unlike cars that now travel on I696, the wheels of government move slowly and it wasn’t till fall that approval was given.

We scheduled one-mile and 5K runs starting at 10:30 and 11 a.m. respectively. The Detroit Zoo was the staging area, making use of not only its parking lot but also the freeway itself east of Woodward Avenue for cars. Both races started on the entrance ramp west of Woodward. The mile stayed on the westbound side of the road, going out to a half-mile turnaround point and returning to the finish line. The 5K headed westbound on I-696 to the Coolidge exit, where the runners traveled up the ramp, crossed over the freeway and came down the eastbound ramp, running back to the finish line west of Woodward. We expected 800 to 1,000 runners. However, as the race date approached we were processing 300 to 400 new applications daily. This necessitated increasing the shirt order by 500 every three days or so. The preentry fee of $8 included free parking, race tshirts, commemorative medals and ribbons. On race day the fee was increased to $10. Race-day weather was reasonable for Dec. 10. Temperatures hovered in the low 14

Photo courtesy of Ed Kozloff

There was little time to promote the event, especially given the Striders’ packed eight-race fall calendar. Now we had added Run the Reuther, detailed plans had to be developed.

Cars are few and runners are many at the start of the Mile Run on I696-- The Reuther, December 10, 1989-- days before the new highway opened. 30s and there was no snow to contend with. Because of the crowd size, the mile started a bit later than the announced 10:30 a.m. time.

just a warm-up for Willis, who in October had broken her own Detroit Free Press Marathon record with a time of 2:38.22, her third triumph in that classic.

In this race Alan VanMeter, 32, of Southfield, quickly left the field and had a clear lead at the turnaround. He eased up at the finish to cross in 4:37, seven seconds ahead of runner-up Greg Gillson, 29, of Windsor.

Less than a half-hour later Willis returned to the starting line for the 5K, which she won in 17:38, defeating fellow Free Press Marathon winner Cindy Barber, 32, of Milan, who placed second in 18:08.

Women’s champ Ella Willis, 32, of Detroit, enjoyed an even easier time as she posted a 42-second victory over Carol Rice, 36, of Royal Oak, 5:24 to 6:06. This proved

It was some year for Willis who was named “Michigan Runner of the Year” for the second time and Best Sport Person of 1989 by the Detroit Free Press, beating lumi-

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Melon Run, Howell

Close to 1,000 Dig into Hot, Hilly Melon Run By Charles Douglas McEwen

Michigan State University teammates Rebekah Smeltzer and Emily Langenberg, both 20, raced each other through midway in the women’s 5K.

HOWELL (8/14/09) — Last year Kirk Walrath won the Melon Run 10K while his wife, Timianne, took second in the women’s race. This year, Timianne claimed the women’s 10K while Kirk finished runner-up among men.

The Melon Run, presented by the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority, had a new course for its 32nd year. The 5K and 10K runs started downtown instead of at Howell City Park. As they have in past, the 5K and 10K (two loops of the 5K course) traveled along a lake, through a graveyard and through the city park. “I liked this better than last year’s course,” said Timianne, 35, of Fenton. “My time was slower, but the humidity was worse today.”

“Overall I liked the race,” she continued. “You can’t beat running along the water with the sun setting in the distance.” Smeltzer timed 17:44 to Langenberg’s 18:02. Cheri Salmeto, 39, of Pinkney took third in 19:47. Cathie Leavy, 43, of Birmingham led the women masters in 22:50.

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

“It was muggy and challenging,” Timianne said. “But it’s good to have a challenging race before the Crim (Festival of Races in Flint Aug. 22).”

“On a big downhill, I went after it,” Smeltzer said. “I’m not good with hills and wanted a flatter course, But they were good for my coming season.

Recent Eastern Michigan University graduate, Neal Naughton, 23, of Dexter won the men’s 5K in 15:50.

10K winner Bobby Aprill (left) and 5K champ Neal Naughton run side-by-side on the twoloop Melon Run course.

Her 41:34 effort topped runner-up and masters champ Jane Morse, 48, of Chelsea (42:09) and another masters runner, Krys Brish, 45, of Milford (42:38). The field of close to 1,000 entries included collegiate runners preparing for cross-country season. University of Michigan sophomore Bobby Aprill, 18,

naries such as Bo Schembechler, Joe Dumars and Steve Yzerman. The men’s 5K race was much closer. Two former collegiate competitors — Shaun Butler, 23, of Dearborn and Paul Aufdemberge, 24, of East Detroit — left the field behind with a half-mile to go. Butler edged Aufdemberge by one second, hitting the finishing tape in 15:09. VanMeter returned from his mile victory to place ninth in 15:55. He was one of only four runners over age 30 who finished in the top 25, with that place clocking 16:39. The 25th woman finished in 20:57. Today Butler is a Ferndale High School

won the men’s 10K in 32:43, edging Kirk Walrath, 39 (34:50) and Andrew Porinsky, 24, of Dexter (35:52). Eric Stuber, 46, of Lansing was fourth overall and top master in 37:17. “I’ve been injured, so I haven’t raced competitively since February,” Aprill said. “I wanted to get in a good one before I report to the team next week.”

assistant principal and athletic director. Aufdemberge, in his mid-40s, still competes at a high level. In September this year, he won his third USATF National Masters 15K Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., with a time of 46:53, a 5:02 mile pace. The runners and walkers who finished behind the leaders ranged in age from three to over 80. As the last of them crossed the finish line, the total of 5,000-plus participants made this the largest first-time (and only) running and walking event in state history. So many additional entrants signed up on race day that another t-shirt order had to be made. The state road department generously

“I’ve run 14:17 (for 5K) on the track,” he said. “But considering the course, I’m pleased with my time today.

He beat out Pinckney area runners Nick Katsefaras, 22 (16:10) and Matt Wines, 19 (16:24). Jeff Hough, 40, of Howell led the masters in 17:57.

The Melon Run also included a mile run, 200-meter Melon Dash, Melon Roll where toddlers roll melons down a hill, and a Tot Trot. Complete results can be found at http://www.gaultracemanagement.com. MR

mailed out more than 500 shirts to participants who were unable to receive them on race day. Miniature I-696 signs had been made, framed and engraved to present to winners. A few days later, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the highway took place with Gov. James Blanchard and a hundred or so dignitaries on hand. Fatefully, this was held on a snow-swept day and the ceremony was on a rather-empty highway ... a far cry from the festive, highly-charged Run the Reuther. Dr. Ed Kozloff, longtime Motor City Striders president, is also a curator of state running history, with archives kept at his home. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Run Beaver Island Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K, Beaver Island

Beaver Island Embraces First Marathon

By Tracey Cohen BEAVER ISLAND (9/5/09) — Race day radiated clear blue skies and temperatures in the 60s for the throngs from two countries and 14 states who took part in the first-ever Beaver Island Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. The island, called by some “America’s Emerald Isle” due to its many residents of Irish descent, rises from Lake Michigan 32 miles north of Charlevoix. It can be accessed by a two-hour boat ride or 15-minute flight.

Beaver Island Marathon start Race director and Good Boy Events coowner Ron Suffolk said he and wife, Sharon, have “always been intrigued by Beaver Island,” based largely on the support they’ve received for their Charlevoix Marathon from the Beaver Island Boat Co. After a friend visited the island and encouraged the Suffolks to check it out, they did not look back, embracing the challenges of planning an event in a setting with limited access and accommodations. The response from the island’s chamber of commerce, community, airlines and Boat Co. was huge, said Suffolk. “Local reaction was 99-percent positive,” chamber director Steve West said. This was obvious on race day as residents volunteered help, ran in events themselves and/or offered their homes to accommodate participants. The Boston-certified marathon course — a combination of pavement, dirt, clay, trail and gravel — allowed runners to explore the island’s tranquil beauty and vibrant downtown. “This is the epitome of northern Michigan,” said Nick Liversedge after winning the half marathon in 1:18:30.

Race Director Ron Suffolk presents the first place overall award in the marathon to Rick Powers. 16

Pam Iyer, the half marathon women’s masters champ in 1:48:48, said she “loved the forest part. It was nice and cool, and the scenery was so pretty.” Bill Fuchs, a marathon age-group winner,

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

enjoyed the double-loop course. “It was great to see everyone — especially their faces. I usually only get to see people’s backs.” Many runners took advantage of the races’ beach start and finish, treating muscles afterward to a dip in Lake Michigan. “The race organization was great, especially for a first-time event,” said Roger Rybicka, 61, of Ft. Collins, Colo. West called the Good Boys Event team “real professionals. We look forward to next year and doing even better.” The unspoiled, unhurried locale was naught to slow race performances. Marathon masters winner Bill Fix was thrilled to meet his goal of qualifying for Boston in 3:27:37. Rich Power, 45, of Rochester dominated the marathon, crossing in 2:55:14. Karen Kirt led the women in 3:38:08, while Michelle Randazzo, 42, of Washington won masters honors in 3:56:38. Debbie Lenters, 41, of Holland was women’s half marathon winner in 1:35:31. Scott Liversedge, 56, of Ada claimed the men’s masters’ title in 1:30:37. For complete race results and to view coverage of this year’s race, visit www.goodboyevents.com/BeaverIsland.shtml and www.marathonchronicles.com. Tracey Cohen can be reached by e-mail at runtrace2000@yahoo.com. M

Capital City River Run, Lansing

MSU Grad Students Rule at Capital City Runs

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Two Michigan State University graduate students dominated the half marathon. Scott Schmick, 26, who is studying chemistry, won the men’s race, while Erin Maloney, 27, working on her doctorate in communications, paced the women. Maloney led from the start and did not see a woman competitor until after she crossed the finish. Schmick, on the other hand, had competition from two of his closest friends, Jacob Crowe, 27, of Grand Ledge and Jerome Recker, 26, of Lansing. “It was great to have Jerome and Jake in the race with me,” Schmick said. “We all train together and we shared the lead at the start.” The trio, each wearing red-and-white Playmakers singlets, went through the first mile in about 5:35. “After that, Scott took off,” Crowe said. “I tried to go with him (while Recker dropped off). I was a few steps back for a while, then he just got farther ahead each mile.” Schmick won with a PR of 1:10:07. “I was hoping to break 1:10:00, but I’m still happy with my time,” he said. Next came Crowe in 1:13:57 and Recker in 1:14:16. Eric Stuber, 46, of Lansing was first among masters and sixth overall in 1:17:18. Doug Kurtis, 57, of Livonia claimed the grand masters title and was 15th overall in 1:23:13. Maloney, running this race for the first time, led the women by almost four minutes in 1:25:55. “I’m running the Chicago Marathon in two weeks, so this was kind of my last long run before that,” she said. “I just tried to keep a good pace and stay solid.”

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“The numbers are well up,” Miles said. “The weather is great. We thought it might rain, but we had a gorgeous day. Plus we had big crowd of spectators and a science fair at the finish line courtesy of Impression 5.”

Erin Maloney

Scott Schmick A former 400-meter hurdler, Maloney has moved on to longer races. “As I get older I’m liking them longer and slower, instead of the shorter and faster,” she said. Another MSU grad student, Emily Johnston, 25, took second in 1:29:41. “I was hoping to just get under 100 minutes and I got under 90, so that was very good for me,” she said. Timianne Walrath, 39, of Fenton finished third in 1:30:16. Beth Ciangi, 44, of Lowell topped the masters and claimed fifth overall in 1:31:51. Kari Chandler, 56, of Okemos was the grand masters champ in 1:39:14. MSU students ruled the 5K. Sophomore Adam Izer, 19, wearing Spartan green, took the men’s title in 16:38. Marcia Backstrom, 25, another grad student wearing a Playmakers shirt, led the women in 21:41. Izer had hoped to break 16 minutes. “This is my PR,” he said of his 16:38, “but I’m trying to make the MSU cross-country team and breaking 16 would help a lot.” The top 5K masters were Dale Hool, 50, of Jackson (18:11) and Lisa McCray, 41, of Shepherd (22:20). Leading the grand masters were Chuck Block, 53, of Lansing (18:53) and Sharon Dolan, 67, of Westphalia (23:02).

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2009capitalcity/

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

This year was no exception. Some 2,719 participants turned out, over 500 more than the previous record total, according to Dick Miles, one of the race directors.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

LANSING (9/27/09) — In recent years the Capital City River Run, which benefits the Impression 5 Science Center, has grown faster than an adolescent stegosaurus.

World-record-holder Amy Dodson spoke at the pre-race dinner. Major sponsors included Ingham Regional Medical Center, Meijer, New Balance, Sohn Linen Service, Playmakers and WLNS-TV6. For complete race results, go to http://www.ccriverrun.org.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Crim Festival of Races, Flint

15,000+ Celebrate Ever-Growing Crim

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Paul Aufdemberge, 44, of Redford also had a big day, passing Joseph Koech, 40, of Kenya on the seventh mile and going on to earn the men’s masters title for a second year in a row. Aufdemberge clocked 50:33, with Koech in second in 50:59 and Tracy Lokken, 43, of Marquette third (52:17).

FLINT (8/22/09) — More than 15,000 runners, walkers, wheelchair racers and handcyclists found the unseasonably-cool weather to their liking at the 32nd annual Crim Festival of Races, presented by HealthPlus of Michigan.

“Paul ran a good race,” Lokken said. “Overall, the weather was ideal. There was a little breeze, but you can’t beat this kind of weather in August.”

Race founder and former state House Speaker Bobby Crim announced numbers at the awards ceremony, after 15,517 participants had completed the various events. The signature Crim 10-Mile alone had 9,466, which continues to make it the largest race of that length in Michigan.

That first person was Dane Pilon, winner of the handcycle 10-mile competition. The handcycle and wheelchair races started at 7:30 a.m.; by the time the 10-mile runners started their race 30 minutes later, Pilon, 49, of Fayetteville, N.C., had finished his. Pilon, who won last year’s Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon handcycle race, set a Crim course record crossing in 28:36, almost seven minutes ahead of runner-up Glen Ashlock, 48, of Brooklyn (35:35).

Albera won in 53:49. Next came Belainesh Gebre, 21, in 53:51 and Teyba Naser, 20, in 53:52.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

With the women’s 10-mile serving as the U.S.A. Track & Field national championship, a star-studded field gained even more talent. But from the very first person to finish on this 58-degree morning, speed was king.

With the women’s race being the national 10-mile championship, Crim officials thought they might see the first U.S. overall queen since the mid-1990s. But a group of young Ethiopians led throughout.

“They worked together,” said Molly Huddle, 24, of the Ethiopians. “They looked like they were running easy, just doing a hard workout. I tried to latch onto them and stay with them.” Huddle, an ex-Notre Dame star who now lives in Providence, R.I., was fifth overall and the first American in 53:59. “It’s always an honor to win an American championship,” she said.

The wheelchair winners also checked in with fast times. Chad Johnson, 34, of Charlestown, Ind., won the men’s race for the second year in a row (41:52), while Emily McQueen, 28, of Okemos led the women (1:01:53).

In her first 10 Mile race, Molly Huddle hits the bricks of Saginaw to win the USATF National Championship.

In the 10-mile run, Enock Mitei, 28, of Kenya and Alemitu Albera, 23, of Ethiopia had the fastest men’s and women’s times since Samuel Kosgei and Alevtina Ivanova won the race in 2006.

sat on me the whole way,” Cheboiywo said.

Mitei and Boaz Cheboiywo, 31, a Kenyanborn runner who now lives in Ypsilanti, led the race after two miles. “Then he just took off,” said Cheboiywo. “And that was that.”

Langat beat Cheboiywo with a surge at the end, taking second in 47:29. Cheboiywo, also third last year, was the top Michigan finisher for the fourth year in row. His 47:36 was by far his best time here. “I was about 34 seconds faster than last year and I felt good all the way,” he said.

The second and third state finishers were Dan Jackson, 20, of Dexter (49:29) and Nicholas Stanko, 28, of Haslett (49:47), claimMichigan Runner TV ing 10th and 12th overhttp://michiganrunner.tv/2009crim/ all.

Mitei won in 46:50. Cheboiywo battled Festus Langat, 24, of Kenya for second. “He

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

It was Huddle’s first 10-mile road race. “I usually stick with 5Ks and 10Ks,” she said. “But I wanted to explore the distance.” Edith Masai, 41, of Kenya, who was second overall here last year, finished women’s masters champ in 55:57, beating 1984 Olympic Marathon gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, 52, of Freeport, Maine (1:00:30) Hansons-Brooks Development Project runner Melissa White, 28, paced the Michigan women in 57:31. “I’m working toward a marathon, so I was only trying to do a 5:40 (per-mile) pace,” White said. “But running the Crim was an awesome experience overall.” The second and third state women were Andrea Pomaranski, 27, of Farmington Hills (57:48) and Andrea Parker, 23, of Northville (57:49). Lisa Veneziano of Fenton was the top Michigmaster (1:00:41). Teens dominated the 8K competition.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Enoch Mitei leads on the Bradley Hills on his way to the Crim 10 Mile win.

Joan Benoit Samuelson, 52, was second master with a pending American record time of (1:00:30).

Alemitu Albera’s 53:49 edged two other Ethiopian women by seconds for the 10 Mile win. Jason Drudge, 19, a Western Michigan University sophomore running the race for the first time, led the men in 27:22, while Grand Blanc High School junior Gabrielle Anzalone, 15, paced the women for the third year in a row.

Drudge was impressed. “She took off with me at the beginning for the first few blocks,” he said. “Then she fell behind me, but she was really moving. “This is by far the biggest race I have ever won,” Drudge said. Claiming 5K titles were Mitchell Blake Sly, 20, of Port Huron (16:41) and Maya Stovall, 27, of Birmingham (19:31). In the 10-mile competitive race walk, Leon Jasionowski, 64, of East China (1:32:43) and Becky Benjamin, 44, of Swartz Creek (1:39:39) won crowns. For complete results, go to http://www.crim.org. MR

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Anzalone, who timed 32:42 in 2007 and 31:37 last year, entered hoping to break 30 minutes for the first time. She finished in 29:42 with only three men ahead of her.

Lex Williams (left) battles Nick Stanko (middle) and Dan Jackson for top Michigan honors in the Crim 10 Mile. Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Crystal Lake Team Marathon, Beulah

Storm-Delayed Team Marathon Makes Big Splash BEULAH (8/8/09) — In its 29 years, the Crystal Lake Team Marathon had never before endured thunderstorms at race time. The heavy, drenching rains that moved through the northern Lower Peninsula on the night of Aug. 7 combined with earlymorning thunder and lightning to threaten the running of the popular relay race.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

By Grant Lofdahl

Clearer skies eventually prevailed, though, and as the lightning tapered off and rain continued to fall, the race began 30 minutes later than scheduled. Race founder and recentlyretired Benzie Central High Crystal Lake Team Marathon race director Paul Szymanski, looks a little nervous School cross-country coach before starting this year’s field after a 30 minute rain delay. Paul saw a guy electroEldon “Pete” Moss and others cuted at work once (eating a sandwich and learning against a construction crane convinced organizers that the when lightning struck it) and wanted nothing like that on his conscience. event should indeed go on, and when the announcement “The race will start at 8:30!” was including Joe Whitman, Wade Peacock, Mike Ferris State, was third in 2:26:17. made, a cheer went up from the huddled masses Bremer, Steve Rose and Kellee Lemcke, in around the pavilion near the start line. 2:35:03; while Piles of Miles (Eddie Bollman, The women’s division was won by the Chad Bollman, Casey Stokes, Jacob aptly-named Five Chicks Faster than the The hearty souls who ran the first two Argersinger and Rachel Whitley) placed third. Boys, who were indeed faster than all but 15 legs of the race knew what they were in for of the 75 teams in the race. The “Five as far as hills, but Mother Nature provided This writer’s team, creatively named Chicks” — Jackie Rzepecki, Jamie Rzepecki, enough liquid sunshine to make the first part Fishelishus after team member (and mascot) Erin O’Mara, Leah Scharl and Marybeth of the race even more challenging than usual. Dan Fishel, placed fourth in the mixed diviReader — competed in the 145-184 comsion but did manage to defeat its arch-rival, bined-age division, but their 2:43:59 time far By the time most teams were onto the Nothing but Fat & Gristle. Teams were outdistanced the second-place women’s team third leg of the race, the rain had let up. But divvied up the previous night at the home of The Electrons (2:55:29), made up of highthe third and fourth runners didn’t have Benzie Central coaches Asa and Traci Kelly, school and soon-to-be-college standouts things any easier, as the wind came howling and a great time was had by all of our mostKaitlyn Patterson and Katie VanderVelde of off Crystal Lake straight into their faces, even ly-Grand Valley State alumni group. Cadillac, Carly Plank of Grand Rapids blowing froth from the waves up onto the Northview, Ellen Junewick of Forest Hills road at times. Other age group winning teams included Eastern and Brittany Anderson of Leroy-Pine Forty Times Five in the mixed 200-269 River. Those who run the final leg at the CLTM bracket and Old Legs, Young Hearts 1 in the get to do a 10K instead of the 5-mile legs run mixed 270+ division. In the women’s secIn third place was the Silly Goose by their teammates, and this year those 10Ktions, Eye Candy took the 185-224 group, Running Club team of Ali Wiersma, Devan ers had the best conditions in which to run. while the Hot Flashes won 225-274 and the John, Brittany Andres, Anna Solorsano and The wind was partially buffeted by trees and Greatest Generation squad won in 275+. Camille Borst. All were members of the the rain was gone as a group of Calvin Allendale High School cross country team College alumni known as the Knights Track Men’s division winners included Sounds encouraged to run the CLTM by their coach Club crossed the line first in 2:19:19. Big Track Club (a true high school all-star (yours truly) and exceeded his expectations team organized by Maryland standout with a time of 3:05:58. Alums Robert Hyde, Brian Paff, Tim Andrew Palmer, who spends his summers in Langenberg, Dan VandenAkker and Kris Beulah) in the 0-89 bracket as well as Crumm The mixed division title went to The Koster outpaced the Calvin Knights (2:22:02) and the Lost Boys (145-184), Robin (185Green Team, which consisted of Lansing team of current runners George Visser, Kyle 224), Feet Don’t Fail Me Now (225-274) and Community College athletes Addis Mast, Edwin Wainaina, David VandeBunte Old but Slow (275+). Habtewold, Ryan Rebain, Tyler Slentz, and Nick Kramer as one of the nation’s best Andrew Franklin and Ellory Green. Their Division 3 cross-country programs dominated Sue Rosenhauer, who ran the entire wet, 2:30:52 was good enough for sixth place the men’s division. hilly marathon herself, deserves special menoverall. tion, as do the duo of former Division 4 Team Dirty Girl, made up of Mike cross-country champ Marissa Treece and forSecond went to The Revenge of Team Mangieri, Alex Best, Ryan Chute, Alex Drew Peacock, an Alma College bunch mer Benzie Central standout Scotty McKeel, Bladecki and Mike Schulte and representing 20

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

20+-Year Crim Veteran Makes Race Debut

t was moments before the start of the Crim 10-mile road race. Like other runners in the seeded start area, I was going through final warmups when I was struck by the enormity of the Crim. It wasn’t the sight of 9,300 other participants as I gazed south on Saginaw Street, though it was awe-inspiring.

Nope, it dawned on me what a really big deal this race is when I looked to my right and saw Joan Benoit Samuelson preparing for her run. Then I ran past a Kenyan while doing stride-outs while he was jogging. This wasn’t my first Crim and I was certainly as aware as anyone what it means locally, nationally and internationally. I had covered the race for The Flint Journal every year since 1991, plus a few times in the 1980s. I knew the history of the race, its lofty standing in the running community and every inch of the course from training on it for years. But this would be the first time I actually joined the masses taking part in the 10mile run through the streets of Flint. This was something I’ve always wanted to do and, since I was in the best running shape of my life, figured this was a good time to let someone else ride the press truck while I experienced this wonderful spectacle firsthand. I fidgeted nervously as Clio’s Riley McLincha, who has run all 33 Crims, sang the national anthem moments before the start. Yes, I wanted to enjoy the Crim experience, but I also came here to run the best possible race. Having nursed a sore foot the previous three days, I didn’t know if my body was up to the task. As we took off from the line, my first impression was this: I never, ever want to run a big-city mega marathon (except Boston, of course). Even in the seeded start area, I walked for about 10 seconds before going into a slight jog as we approached the start-line mat. Once on the course, I cautiously tried

who each ran a half-marathon and finished somewhere in the top one-third of the field. The Team Marathon, begun in the 1980s by Coach Moss, has been guided in recent

to avoid getting tripped by all those feet running near mine. I can only imagine how congested it was deeper in the pack. Somewhere in the second mile, we were finally able to move around a bit and run our race. One of the coolest parts of the race is around 1.5 miles when you cross Saginaw Street again with a large crowd cheering as you head out toward the meat of the Crim course. There are spectators almost everywhere, providing energy and inspiration to runners who might otherwise give in to weary legs and burning lungs. After battling through the dreaded Bradley Avenue hills, I was looking through the crowds, hoping to make eye contact with anybody I might know who could respond with some encouragement. I needed it badly at this point in the race, but was able to recover somewhat during the slight downhill before Miller Road. It was around the seven-mile mark in the beautiful Parkside neighborhood that I began to visualize what it would be like to finally finish a Crim 10-mile on the Saginaw Street bricks. I got excited just thinking about it, but still had too much work left to lose focus. Of course, my work was never far from my mind. I was going to write a column for The Journal about my race, so I tried to keep meticulous mental notes. I wondered, too, about the progress of the elite race I would normally be watching. By my calculation, overall winner Enock Mitei was crossing the finish line while I still had 2 3/4 miles left. I was running a great race by my standards, which adds to my sense of amazement over the ability of these world-class runners. Mitei averaged 4:41 per mile, a pace I might be able to hold for an all-out quarter mile if I’m lucky. Then I would collapse and he’d keep running like that for another 9 3/4 miles. The beauty of running, though, is our main competition is ourselves. There were thousands of successful races in the Crim pack this fourth Saturday of August, from Mitei at the front all the way back to and two-hour-plus finishers who achieved more than they dreamed possible.

years by Paul and Shelly Szymanski, who announced that 2009 would be their final year as race directors after many fine years on the job.

Photo by Jennie McCafferty

By Bill Khan

Bill Khan ran his first Crim 10 Mile in 1:04:41. With my legs turning to gelatin in the final mile and my mind fixated on the final stretch down the bricks, I decided I’d better not pick up the pace too much. I didn’t want to be stumbling to the finish with a large crowd watching. I was shocked to see a 5:57 final mile on my watch afterward for a race in which I averaged 6:29 pace. It helped that another runner said, “Let’s go” to me with about four blocks remaining, issuing the challenge to race it in. He pulled ahead of me and I thought he’d win our little mini race, but he slowed with about a block to go and I found a little extra in the tank to overtake him just before the finish line. My final time: 1 hour, 4 minutes, 41 seconds. My goal before the race was something in the 1:06-1:07 range, but we were blessed with beautiful weather for a change on Crim Saturday, a day traditionally known for oppressive heat and humidity. The temperature was in the high 50s for the start, resulting in numerous personal bests. It was the perfect year to run my first Crim 10-mile race. Do you think I’d be pushing my luck if I tried again next year? MR The Kellys, having taken over the Benzie cross-country reins from Moss, will now take up the challenge of keeping one of Michigan’s most unique and popular races moving forward into 2010 and beyond. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Red October, Wayne

Red October Draws Record Turnout Despite Wind, Rain By Charles Douglas McEwen

pulled even, then he got back ahead of me. About halfway down Venoy Road (less than a mile from the finish), I gave it a surge and pulled away.”

WAYNE (10/3/09) — Runners can usually see red leaves on the trees at the Red October Run. In some years they can also see red, wind-burned cheeks on the faces of their fellow competitors.

McGovern crossed in 16:50, followed by Brown in 17:09. Mike Keller, 23, of Ann Arbor took third in 17:24.

That was the case this year.

“We hit 700 last night, our largest pre-registration ever,” said Cynthia Cook, founding race director. “Given the crummy weather this morning, we didn’t get much of a race-day turnout. But we’re still thrilled about hitting our all-time high.”

Cliff Hardick of London, Ont. finished 3rd in the 10K, 38:10.

Red October has endured worse weather in its history. “We’ve had years when the wind was so strong, it knocked down our tents,” Cook said. Although volunteers didn’t face gusts like that, they still had to worry about entry forms taking flight like the swallows of Capistrano. As always, Red October offered plenty of food and spectacular awards. Overall 5K and 10K winners were given unique glass vases created by Furnace Design Studio of Dearborn. Ed McGovern, 34, of Ypsilanti had to work hard for his 5K glassware. Four young runners took an early lead before he and Victor Brown, 46, of Canton surged by them near the mile mark. The two veterans then battled for the next mile. “I pretty much used him to block the wind at first,” said McGovern. “Then I 22

Former women’s champ Ella Willis, 52, of Detroit claimed another crown this year in 20:30. Next came Emily Rigby, 26, of Canton (23:44) and Tiffany Stoddard, 21, of Ann Arbor (23:48).

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

After enjoying warm weather the last couple years, the 19th annual Red October 5K and 10K, presented by Oakwood Annapolis Hospital, endured a rainy, blustery day. It still drew 824 runners and walkers, up from last year’s record of 807.

Andrew Brackman, 26, of Dearborn won in the 10K in 35:27. “It was a little slower than I wanted, but I’m happy,” he said. “I liked the rain and the cool weather. It was perfect for me.”

Gerald Obritzberger, 39, of Brighton finished runner-up in 37:39. Cliff Hardick, 61, traveled all the way from London, Ont., to grab third in 38:10. Michele Ryce Elliot, 38, of New Boston paced the women in 42:03, followed by Suzanne Cabana, 37, of Dexter (43:53) and Meghan Stenzel, 27, of Royal Oak (49:48). “I like the number of people here,” said Cabana. “It’s not too big or small. It’s just right.” “Next year is going to be our big 20th anniversary race. We’re excited about that,” Cook said. Rick Huber, 53, of Montrose won the men’s 5K walk in 26:03. Shelly Huber, 49, also of Montrose, led the women in 33:08. For complete results, go to www.gaultracemanagement.com. For more information about the Red October Run, visit www.oakwood.org/redoctoberrun. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Brooksie Way a Success (But What Was in that Cup?) By William J. Kalmar

potlight beams similar to the Bat signal heralded the site of the second annual Brooksie Way half marathon. Thousands of cars streamed into Oakland University’s mammoth parking lots, runners emerging ready to tackle one of the toughest courses in the state. My 66-year-old legs ambled over hills better suited for mountain goats. Ample water and Gatorade stations dotted the course and each mile was clearly marked. Police blocked off most avenues in the community to let thousands of runners proceed unfettered. Some Sunday-morning drivers may have been miffed, but I think the Almighty (who I understand is an avid runner) would grant a pass to anyone who was late or missed church because of it. Those on their way to the donut shop may want to register for next year’s Brooksie Way half marathon, 5K run or walk to avoid the roadblocks and calories. Each finisher received a classic medal with the Brooksie Way emblem emblazoned on it. The feast at the finish included blueberry muffins, bananas, oranges and bagels, all in the shadows of the magnificent Meadowbrook Hall. I met one runner who came with a group of 25 from Pennsylvania. They had heard rave reviews about the event in running magazines and, based on this year’s experience, are apt to come back with more friends next year. Many water station volunteers cheered us on; some held signs with the names of their favorite runners. At the Oakland Press station, executive editor Glenn Gilbert and I exchanged pleasantries, but he seemed reluctant to hand me a cup of water. I thought for a moment he was protecting a special beverage just for himself to ward off a morning chill, but alas it turned out to be just water! Congratulations to Brooks Patterson and the folks from The Crim Foundation who partnered on this event. We look forward to next year! MR

Brooksie Way Half Marathon & 5K, Rochester Hills By Ron Marinucci

Second-Half Hills Thrill at Brooksie Way good. The large packs of runners, for instance, at 7:30 pace never really broke up. They were still clumped together, running at pace, at miles 10, 11 and 12, in the teeth of the hills.

ROCHESTER HILLS (10/4/09) — As cars filed into the Oakland University campus parking lots, many runners wondered if the looming rain would hold off for the second annual Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K.

A trio of Hansons-Brooks runners led all comers. Olympic marathoner Brian Sell, returning from 2008, sailed across the finish line first in 1:06:27, followed by Nick Arciniaga (1:06:53) and Chad Johnson (1:08:48).

Except for some spitting, the wet stuff stayed away until after the races, leaving a pretty good morning for runners.

Much of the half marathon is run on main thoroughfares, well-marshaled by Oakland County deputies. Between three and four miles, runners turn off the streets onto the gravel and dirt of the Clinton River and Paint Creek trails.

Masters runners were impressive too. Eric Green, 41, David Chomet, 40, and Brian Olsen, 48, were fifth, seventh and ninth overall. Deanna Skelcy, 42, Martha Olsen, 45 and keeping up her family end, and Andrea Osika, 44, were fourth, seventh and ninth overall among women.

Nick Arciniaga, bib no. 7, and Brian Sell lead the race on a Brooksie Way trail.

The second half of the course holds eight challenging climbs, with a few shorter ones to boot: a true test of runners’ mettle. OU grad student Sarah Beck had enjoyed a good racing summer, especially at the tough Bastille and Crim runs. Before the half marathon, her first Brooksie, she was concerned about “not getting in much running” (must be those darn studies). But Beck finished fine, running a time comparable to her Bastille and Crim efforts. It was good for fourth in her age division and 19th overall. “I really enjoyed it,” Beck smiled afterward. “It was fun. The second-half hills weren’t too bad, not after the Bastille and Crim,” but the grin on her face said they had at least grabbed her attention. This was Zack Jones’ “first half marathon ever! My longest run was 10 miles.” He lives and trains in Royal Oak. “It’s pretty flat there,” Jones went on, “so the hills were tough. I work out here (in Rochester), so maybe I’ll have to train out

Senior runner Mike Cudlip, 52, was first overall in the 5K in 18:18, followed by James Abbey, 15, 18 seconds back. Patricia Collins was the first woman (21:28), while masters winner Karen Brookhouse, 49 (22:08) was the runner-up. Full results and photos can be found at www.thebrooksieway.com. MR

here.” That sounded like he was aiming for the 2010 Brooksie. Adrienne Way of Warren had run other half marathons, but not this one. “It was better than any I’ve run,” she enthused. “It was very well organized and put on. I really had fun. “I wasn’t ready for all the hills in the second half,” Way went on, “but I did all right.” In the parking lot, Matt Wentworth grimaced. “I’ve never seen so many hills in my life,” he said. “They were killers. It seemed like one never-ending hill from seven miles to 12. It was a tough, tough course.” The general quality of the racing was pretty

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The 5K course, on the grounds of the university, has a couple hills worth mentioning. The half marathon circles through Rochester Hills and Rochester before ending near the Meadowbrook Mansion on the OU campus. Only slight changes were made to this year’s course.

The women were also led by the Rochester runners. Erin Caton (1:25:55) finished half a minute ahead of Kelly Morgan (1:26:31).

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Last year’s Brooksie attracted 3,352 participants, an impressive firstyear showing. The second edition drew almost 3,500 runners (2,373 in the marquee half marathon) to test themselves on the challenging courses.

Bill Rodgers, bib no. 2, and Greg Meyer, bib no. 3, accompany Brooksie Way founder and Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson on the 5K. Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

John Robgucki Memorial Kensington Challenge, Milford

Kensington Hills Start Early — and Never End

By Charles Douglas McEwen

MILFORD (9/19/09) — Runners start with 200 yards up a cliff at the John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge 15K. Upon reaching the summit they plummet 300 yards down the other side, then hang a sharp right.

After the starter hill, runners tackle another monster. “There’s never a long, flat stretch where you can get into a rhythm,” said Nick Stanko, 28, of Haslett. “You’re constantly having to change gears to hold your pace.”

Stanko handled it pretty well, winning the 15K in 47:51. Next came Matt Fecht, 25, of Warren in 48:57, and top master Green with a personal-record 51:53.

BRIGHTON (8/19/09) — Clouds began to form but a little rain didn’t stop T-Rex Triathlon sponsors from putting on the Wednesday night dinosaur-themed event. More than 450 entrants competed in the .5-mile swim, 12-mile bike and 5K run. Floating dinosaurs served as buoys for the swim and big, plastic T-rex figurines were awards for winners. Roman Krzyzanowski, 38, of Plymouth survived intense competition (and a few bike-transition falls by other entrants) to win in a total time of 1:01:38.

Gloria Hage, no. 535, of Northville, Kelly Davenport, no. 521, Sarah Smith, , no. 584, and Stacie Zotkovich, no. 606, all of Commerce Township, tackle a hill in the Kensington 5K.

“It’s a beautiful course,” said Stanko, running here for the first time. “People who train here every day have it made. When you’re racing all-out, all you see is the blacktop of the bike trail because you’re concentrating so hard.”

With his win, Stanko took a 50-point lead among open men in the Michigan Runner of the Year Race Series with just two events remaining. Green moved into excellent position to win the series men’s masters title. Doug Kurtis, 57 of Livonia, was the grand masters champ in 59:48.

59, of Canton, moved up to grand master’s queen with her 1:10:57. Winning the 5K were Mike Keller, 23, of Ann Arbor (17:33) and Lisa Olensak, 34, of Royal Oak (20:10). “I kind of got into a zone and went for it,” Keller said. Paul Mayer, 42, of Ann Arbor (17:41) and Jane Sanders, 53, of White Lake (21:34) finished second overall and were masters champions. Darryl Stanbrough, 58, of Oak Park (20:13) and Janet Sawyer, 55, of Linden (22:33) topped the grand masters.

Another master, Krys Brish, 46, of Milford, won the women’s 15K for a second year in a row. “I’m on a roll here, I think,” said Brish, whose 1:01:46 beat her winning time last year by 15 seconds. “Those hills in the last three miles probably won’t ever let me break an hour here, though.”

Doug Goodhue of Milford, director of this Ann Arbor Track Club race, said its inclusion in the MR Series added to its quality. “I hope to be part of it again next year,” Goodhue said.

Rebecca Price, 51, of Ann Arbor was second overall. With Brish factored out, she was named top master in 1:03:26. Donna Olson,

Race proceeds went to the John Rogucki Memorial Fund, which supports AATC youth programs. For complete results, go to www.runmichigan.com. MR

T-Rex Triathletes Romp Through Rain By Katie Kelly-Noble

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“That’s probably the worst hill in the race, size-wise,” said Eric Green, 41, of Pontiac. “You want to hold your momentum coming down it, but have to watch yourself on the turn.”

T-Rex Triathlon, Brighton

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

“It was a good race,” Krzyzanowski said. “It was a little warm, but the competition was great. “My strongest part was the run. I came out of the swim 20th and did pretty well on the bike, but in the run I excelled,” he said. Ryan Rivamonte, 18, of Commerce Township placed second in 1:02:15, Matt Smiarowski third in 1:02:41. Erin O’Mara, 25, of Goodrich was the first woman overall in 1:07:00. She, like Krzyzanowski, used the run as her strongest discipline, covering the 5K course in 18:22. Kristi Judd finished second (1:07:33) and Carly Day third (1:09:20). Submarine sandwiches and snacks awaited participants at the finish, where many children cheered on their moms and dads as the latter finished. By the end of the evening a steady drizzle had soaked every athlete, spectator and volunteer, but with a festive triathlon behind them, no one seemed to mind. MR

Spartan Invitational, East Lansing

Playmakers Autumn Classic

Collegiate, Prep Harriers Shine at Spartan Meet

Playmakers Classic Improves with Age

By Katie Kelly-Noble

EAST LANSING (9/18/09) – More than 4,500 runners competed in 14 Spartan Invitational races at Forest Acres Golf Course this busy day.

MacLeod pulled away in the last kilometer to win in 21:07, 12 seconds ahead of Tauro. Marchant and Green finished third and fourth, running 21:35 and 21:37, respectively. MacLeod said her focus this cross-country season is on her team. “I just want to get our girls the lowest score possible at Big Tens, then on to nationals,” she said.

Sponsors teamed up with Special Olympics to offer a one-mile competitive walk this year. Special Olympics advocate Bobby Crim welcomed the group to the event.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The collegiate women’s 6K ran first at 1 p.m. Michigan State senior Emily MacLeod and junior Carlie Green, University of Michigan junior Danielle Tauro and unattached runner Lanni Marchant sprinted out front early.

LANSING (9/20/09) — The 17th annual Playmakers Autumn Classic kicked off the season in style as 614 runners embarked on an 8K course at Lake Lansing Park in crisp, chilly air.

“It was fabulous to see the Special Olympians’ excitement and how much it mean to them,” race director Alicia Armstrong said. BJ Pankow, 25, of Williamston took top 8K honors in 26:19. “The race was really good actually,” said a surprised Pankow. “I ran the Spartan Invite (two days earlier), so I came in thinking today’s race would be a nice, leisurely run where I got beaten by everyone else. “At mile one I felt pretty good. At mile two we kept going, so I decided to break off and see what happened.”

Michael Atchoo’s 15:38 was the best high school time of the day in winning the Nike Boys Elite race.

On the men’s side, former Eastern Michigan University runner Josh Karanja (running unattached) won the 8K in 24:31. Emmanuel Korir of Playmakers Racing took second in 24:36 and Tyler Emmory of Grand Valley State third in 24:50. MSU senior Patrick Grosskopf was the first Spartan to cross the line in 24:53, placing fourth overall. “Both our teams did a really nice job,” said MSU cross-country assistant coach Kim McGreevy. “The women didn’t press the run early and we had Michigan here, so it made it more honest. They did a nice job of keeping their poise. The Spartan men exhibited similar strengths, said McGreevy, keeping their composure throughout the race. “It looked like other teams might pull away at mid-race, but our guys race late and

Damon King, 19, of Waterford finished second in 26:44, followed by men’s masters champion Eric Stuber, 46, of Lansing in 26:48.

that is the key to cross country.” The first 5K high school race was the small-school White Division. Amaya Ayers of Laingsburg paced the girls in 19:22, while Stuart Crowell of Parchment led the boys in 16:29. Grand Rapids Catholic Central won both team races. The Nike Elite races saw Michigan High School Runner of the Year Megan Goethals of Rochester win the girls’ crown in 17:22 and Michael Atchoo of Troy top the boys in 15:38. Saline’s girls and Pinckney’s boys won the team divisions. The larger-school Green Division was won individually by Allison White of HH Dow in 19:05 and Ian Hancke of Haslett in 16:09. Salem’s girls and Novi’s boys grabbed the team titles. MR

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2009spartan_invite/

Andrea Pomaranski, 27, of Farmington Hills led the women in 27:39. It wouldn’t be the fall racing season if there weren’t runners training for marathons. Pomaranski said she was gearing up for the Oct. 4 Twin Cities Marathon. “I do like these short races, although they are much more painful,” said Pomaranski. “When we first started it was a little cold, but it was good racing weather. It was a nice flat, fast scenic course.” Denisa Costescu, 33, of Walled Lake placed second in 28:51 and Mary Beth Reader, 40, of Bloomfield third in 30:36. Reader was also the women’s master winner. An announcer greeted almost everyone by name as they crossed the finish line. For Armstrong, the Playmakers Classic gets better with age. “I love this race because it promotes health and fitness for everyone,” she said. “It is a great course and it now supports the Special Olympics. It is a nice combination.” MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Huron Township Applefest, New Boston

Applefest Winners Harvest Cider, Pies

By Charles Douglas McEwen

“In 2008 I led the whole way and got passed with 200 yards to go,” said Fielder, 31, of Newport. “This year, I was in first again and kept thinking, ‘Don’t get passed. Don”t get passed!’” She didn’t. Fielder won in 43:18, followed by Carley Woolcott, 15, of New Boston in 43:59 and top master Donna Olson, 59, of Canton, in 46:18.

The Applefest 10K and 5K, hosted by the Downriver Runners, both start in New Boston and travel a tree-lined, out-and-back course through Lower Huron Metropark. “I love running in the park and on the bike paths,” Fielder said. “The course is mostly flat, but the last mile is challenging. It’s a well put-together race that has a permanent spot on my calendar.” Ryan Piippo, 31, of Detroit is also a Applefest veteran, having won the 10K on two other occasions. This year, he rocketed to a huge lead and didn’t look back prevailing in 33:15. “I wanted to get under 33,” Piippo said. “I didn’t quite make it, but I’m still happy with how I ran.” Scott Kretzmann, 23, of Detroit finished second in 38:03, followed by masters champ Todd Kelly, 48, of Troy in 39:10. Tom Taylor, 54, of Northville was sixth overall and grand masters champ in 41:31. Kenneth Rowe, 62, of Canton was senior masters winner and sixth overall in 42:31. The overall, masters, grand masters and senior masters 10K and 5K champs received apple pies as awards. Age-group winners earned quarts of apple cider. “It’s not quite as easy as apple pie,” said Andrea Blake, 30, of Dearborn, who led from the start in 26

30th Annual Grosse Pointe Runs are Pearls Indeed

By William J. Kalmar

GROSSE POINTE FARMS (9/19/09) — Pearls are the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary. If you were one of the 450plus runners in the 30th annual Grosse Pointe 5K and 10K runs, you know that this was a “pearl” of an event.

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

NEW BOSTON (10/4/09) — Maureen Field had victory snatched from her at the end of the last year’s Huron Township Applefest 10K. This year she buried the field early and won easily.

Grosse Pointe Runs, Grosse Pointe Farms

As the sun shone through early-morning clouds and waves from Lake St. Clair lapped against the race route, entrants were treated to a lovely, idyllic setting. Many wore t-shirts, although there was a testy wind on several legs of the route. Runners look for certain elements in a race and this event did not disappoint:

10K winners Ryan Piippo and Maureen Fielder won pies for their awards.

• Race-day registration and package pickups were well organized. Those at the various tables greeted everyone with smiles and the distribution of shirts, timing chips and bib numbers went smoothly.

the women’s 5K. “I felt good the first two miles. After that, I was just trying to hold on.”

• Both races started simultaneously and on time. Runners are a nervous group and if the advertised start time does not occur, they become agitated. That was not the case.

Blake triumphed in 18:50, topping Dominique Miller, 20, of Tecumseh (19:43). Amanda Fowler, 40, of Allen Park led the masters in 24:21; Sharon Fielder, 51, of Adrian the grand masters in 27:14; and Colleen Chandler, 64, of Dearborn the senior masters in 31:26.

• Mile markings along the route were in place and water stations were well staffed with enthusiastic volunteers.

For the men, Monroe High School sophomore Mitch Latray, 15, was the overall champ in 18:06. Next came Joshua Burt in 18:11. Jeff Martin, 51, of Bloomfield Hills led the masters in 18:39, Patrick Mulhern, 57, of Dearborn Heights the grand masters (20:37) and Ron Fedoronko, 66, of Warren the senior masters (25:26). After the run, the 324 participants could partake of an Applefest street fair. Sponsors included Total Runner, Apple Charlie’s, Nutrition Limited, Pete’s Place, Busch’s Fresh Food Market, Wheat & Rye Airport, American Speedy Printing Centers and the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority. For complete results, go to www.everalracemgt.com. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

• Local police were stationed at intersections, thus no traffic interfered with the runners. Shutting down a major road on a Saturday morning is no small task, yet organizers and police handled this in a very systematic fashion. • Shirts from previous runs were on display and demonstrated the longevity of this event. Shirts for the 2009 run were multicolored and certainly will be worn with pride in future events • Parking for runners and their fans was more than adequate. • Post-race refreshments included bagels, coffee, water, bananas, apples, cookies and soft drinks; something for everyone. • The awards ceremony was conducted soon after the event. Runners don’t like to wait for their recognition and the committee knew this. Many participants remained on hand for the medals and trophies to be presented. I ran in the very first Grosse Pointe run and several thereafter. Each was better than the last one, but how do you improve on a route along Lake Shore Drive — one of the most scenic running venues in the state? William J. Kalmar, former director of the Michigan Quality Council, is now a semi-retired free-lance writer, lecturer/presenter and mystery shopper. He also does radio voiceovers and competes in road races and duathlons. MR

Labor Day 30K & 10K, Milford

Milford Labor Day Races Are Labor Worth Loving

MILFORD (9/5/2009) — It can hurt to run fast through a hilly 30K, but going slow just prolongs the pain. So, taking advantage of a perfect, 65degree morning, Corey Nowitzke, 25, of Ann Arbor and Andrea Pomaranski, 27, of Farmington Hills made haste at the 9th annual Labor Day Festival of Races, which had record 795 entrants. Nowitzke, a former steeplechaser at Eastern Michigan University, tore through the 30K in a course-record time of 1:40:41. Pomaranski dominated the women’s field with her 1:57:23. Each took home $400 in prize money for their triumphs. Nowitzke ran with Ian Forsyth, 37, of Ann Arbor for the first 16 miles, then broke away. “I let him know at that point that I was feeling good and was going to get after it,” Nowitzke said.

Forsyth claimed $200 for finishing second in 1:41:37. Scott Setzke, 28, of Riverview took third in 1:49:47, good for $100. Neither Nowitzke nor Pomaranski had run the Labor Day 30K before. “The hills were intimidating,” Nowitzke said. Pomeranski led for most of the women’s race, but opted not to challenge the hills in the early going. “I treated the first half like a hard run,” she said. “After eight or nine miles, I tried to hammer it home.” Erin O’Mara, 25, of Ypsilanti earned $200 for second place, crossing in 1:59:54. Defending champ Lisa Veneziano, 44, of Fenton came in third in 2:03:47, good for $100. Another former EMU steepler won the men’s 10K. Jordan Desilets, 28, of Pinckney, who finished runner-up last year a fraction of a second behind Grant Robison, left no doubts this year. “I took off from the start and didn’t look back,” said Desilets, who found the hills challenging nonetheless. “I think they got bigger over the past year,” the winner said. Desilets finished in 32:37 and won $250. B.J. Pankow took second with a PR of 34:03 and earned $100. J.C. Collins, 52, of Livonia won $75 for his third-place 37:29.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Danielle Quisenberry, 27, of Jackson, won the women’s 10K in 37:14, also good for $250. “I wanted to win,” she said. “That was one goal. I also wanted to get out fast.” Runner-up Laurel Park, 46, of Ann Arbor, said Quisenberry met both goals.

Corey Nowitzke, bib no. 244, ran with Ian Forsyth for the first 16 miles, then broke away for the win and a 30K course record 1:40:41.

“She went out hard and maintained,” Park said. “I put in surges to try to catch her, but she just kept clicking (the miles) off.”

Kalli Williams, 24, of Ann Arbor finished third in 38:55. “It was pretty hilly,” she said. “But for all the uphills Michigan Runner TV there are good http://michiganrunner.tv/2009milford/ downhills. And it

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Andrea Pomaranski dominated the women’s field in the 30K with her 1:57:23. was nice out there on the dirt roads.” The fat-tire 30K bike had its most-competitive field ever. A foursome of Rich Stark, 43, of Ann Arbor, Michael Green, 45, of Farmington Hills, Steve Dale, 34, of Livonia and Lewis Tripp, 50, of Milford raced together until the final half-mile. At that point, Stark sprinted away to triumph in 54:42, nearly four minutes faster than last year’s winning clocking. Green and Dale finished second and third, each four seconds back. Lillian Ruiz, 46, of Ypsilanti finished almost 24 minutes faster than last year’s top woman, crossing in 1:06:47. Next came Becca Caldwell, 37, of Milford (1:11:15), and Terrie Johnson, 49, of Farmington (1:17:19). Doug Fisher, 66, of Flushing won the men’s 10K walk in 1:21:13. Michelle Billingsley, 45, of Detroit led the women in 1:24:53. Race proceeds went to the National Down’s Syndrome Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Milford cross-country and track teams, Community Sharing and the Milford Hot Team. Doug Klingensmith directed the events. For complete race results, go to http://www.LaborDay30K.com. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

November 2009 - February 2010 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

Rochester Area Optimist Club Bloomer Boogie

Rochester Hills 9:00 am 5MR/W, 5KR/W, 1KFR

Bloomer Park (248) 726-9616 president@ rochesterareaoptimists.org rochesterareaoptimists.org/wordpress/?p=47

Running For Water Early Bird Turkey Trot

Milford 10:00 am 5KR/W, 1MFR Milford Library (248) 343-9958 ameliaearheart@gmail.com ewb-detroit.org

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

Josh Tolan / Gift of Life

Ortonville 9:00 am 5KR/W Brandon High School (248) 802-6004 rotpac@rotpac.com rotpac.com

Livonia Turkey Trot

Livonia 9:30 am Bicentennial Park 5KR/W (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

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

@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

Randyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Rockhead Trail Marathon

Waterford 9:00 am 26.2MR, 13.1MR Pontiac Lake Rec. Area Brian Flynn bmkflynn@msn.com rockheadrace.com

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 Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (517) 266-6344 runningwithes@tc3net.com runningwithes.com

Turkey Trot

Oxford 10:00 am Seymour Lake Township Park 5KR (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 Hogsback Wilderness Run

Elba 9:30 am 5MR, 2MR Elba Equestrian Center (810) 287-7835 tcrunnerman@aol.com www.goracego.com

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

Wed., November 11 Glen Lake Turkey Trot Maple City 10:00 am 5KR Glen Lake School Pete Edwards (231) 334-3080 getfit@skiwalking.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 5.2MR

10:00 am

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Beach Parking Lot (232) 855-1282 runnersedge@verizon.net www.goracego.com

Last Chance Cross Country Race

Brighton 10:00 am Huron Meadows 5KR Metro Park Greg Sadler info@secondwindrm.com www.secondwindrm.com

NCAA Division I Cross Country Regionals - Great Lakes

11 am Bloomington, IN 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

NIRCAOpen & Alumni XC Race

Ypsilanti 8:30 am 5KR Eagle Crest Golf Club Greg Haapala greg.haapala@ clubrunning.org www.clubrunning.org

One Hill of a Run

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

Panther Fall Classic

Comstock Park9:00 am 5KR/W Comstock Park High School Scott Taylor/ The Runnery (616) 785-7880 theicefam@att.net svirkstis@cppschools.com

Scarecrow Sprint XC Race

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

Turkey Trot and Mutt Strut

Central Lake High School Central Lake Chamber of Commerce (231) 544-3322 clcc@tochlake.com www.central-lake.com

USATF Michigan Association Open/Masters XC Championships

Northville 9:00 am Cass Benton Park 5KR Jackie DeVose (313) 934-0126 jdevose@aol.com michigan.usatf.org

USATF Michigan Association XC JO Championships Northville 9:00 am 5KR, 4KR, 3KR Cass Benton Park Jackie DeVose (313) 934-0126 jdevose@aol.com michigan.usatf.org

Woldumar Nature Center Run-a-Munk

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

Your Pace or Mine 1st annual Gus O’Connors Run Rally Rochester 12 Noon 5KR Gus O’Connor’s Sue Siragusa ssiragusa116191mi@ yahoo.com

Sun., November 15 Michigan AAU State Cross Country Championships

Shelby Twp. 10:00 am 5KR, 4KR, 3KR, 2KR Stoney Creek Metropark (248) 872-4524 warren.skeete@gmail.com www.nobd.us/ cross_country.html

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

Central Lake 10:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR/W

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

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

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

Sat., November 21 Blitzen the Dotte

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

Linden Turkey Trot

9:00 am Linden 5KR Linden School grounds (810) 701-8625 dskinner@jackcooper.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

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

Schrauger Memorial 5K

Lake Orion 10:00 am 5KR Lake Orion High School jsmemorial5k@yahoo.com active.com

TRRC Turkey Trot

Toledo, OH 9:00 am 10KR, 5KR prediction runs Ottawa Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open Air Shelter House (419) 841-2909 toledoroadrunners.org

Turkey Trot 5K Run / Walk

Sault Ste Marie, MI 9 am 5KR/W, kids fun run Norris Center Indoor Track (906) 635-2765 track@lssu.edu saultstryders.com/events.htm

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 9:00 am Niles 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 North Campus Rec. Center 5KR/W (248) 437-4524 sharon@goodboyeven ts.org goodboyevents.org EverywhereUGO Turkey Trot

Traverse City 2:00 pm (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

Gobbler Gallop Trail Run

Saginaw 9:00 am 5KR, 1.5MR/W Imerman Memorial Park (989) 513-5195 dfbernar@stcs.org

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Prediction Run Kalamazoo

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

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 5KR College (517) 702-0226 cblock@lcc.edu runningfoundation.com

Marquette Turkey Trot

Marquette 9:00 am EST 10KR, 5KR Marquette Senior HS (906) 225.4200 www.mapsnet.org

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

Gladstone 9:00 am 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

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

Holiday Hustle

Maumee, OH 5:15 pm 5KR, 1.5MFW Maumee Indoor Theater,

November 2009 - February 2010 Event Calendar Downtown Maumee (419) 360-3709 wearinthegreen17@aol.com toledoroadrunners.org

Tawas Turkey Trot

9:00 am East Tawas East Tawas 5KR/W Community Center cowens@tawas.net

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

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 & Emilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis Northville

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

Fenton 6:00 pm 5KR Fenton Community Center (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/

Sun., December 6 Manistee Jingle Bell Run 5K

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

Sat., December 12 Candy Cane 5K and Santa Fun Run Clarkston 4:00 pm 5KR, FR Depot Park (231) 546-2229 info@3disciplines.com 3disciplines.com racingforrecovery.com

Candy Cane Run

10:00 am Grand Rapids 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 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5K

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

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

Sat., December 5 Christmas Stocking Run

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

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

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 Beach House 5KR/W 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

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

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 Bay City 10:00 am Bay County Community Center 5KR/W (989) 832-2267 jmetevia@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

HUFF 50K Trail Run

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

Life Time Fitness Reindeer Run

Troy 8:30 am 10KR, 5KR LifeTime Fitness of Troy, 4700 Investment Dr. (952) 229-7330 events@lifetimefitness.com www.lifetimefitness.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 Great Lakes Track & Field Holiday Classic

Ypsilanti 9:00 am youth, high school, open indoor track & field Eastern Michigan Bowen Fieldhouse (517) 614-2827 greatlakestf@hotmail.com http://www.eteamz.com/gre atlakestrackfield/

Hansons Group Run

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

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

Midnight Special 5K Race & Prediction Run

Whitehouse, OH 11:45 pm 5KR/W FallenTimbers MS (419) 360-3709 wearinthgreen17@aol.com toledoroadrunners.org

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

January Friday, January 1 Gazelle Sports’ John Daley Memorial One One Run

Kalamazoo 1:00 pm 4.4MR/W, 2.2MR/W Spring Valley Park (269) 342-5996 slillie@gazellesports.com

Sat., January 2 Reese Winter Road Race Series Reese 10:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W Reese High School (989) 529-7904 admin@barc-mi.com www.barc-mi.com

November 2009 - February 2010 Event Calendar Sat., January 9 IDADARUN

Linden 6:30 pm 8MR, 8M relay Linden Community Ed. (810) 701-8625 dskinner@jackcooper.com

Walt Disney World® Half Marathon

Orlando 6:30 am 13.1 MR Jon Hughes /disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

Sunday, January 10

Walt Disney World® Marathon

Orlando 6:00 am 13.1MR Jon Hughes disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

Sat., January 16 Freeze Your Fanny 5K Run/Walk

Bay City 10:00 am 5KR/W Bay County Community Center (989) 832.2267 jmetevia@yahoo.com www.barc-mi.com

Frosty 15K Freestyle Cross Country Ski Race

Brighton 10:30 am 15K X-C Ski; 5K X-C Ski Huron Meadows Metropark (248) 535-9351 mike.muha@ nordicskiracer.com www.nordicskiracer.com

Lake State Classic Track and Field Meet

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 11am indoor track Norris Center (906) 635-2765 track@lssu.edu www.lssulakers.com

Sat., January 23

Bigfoot Boogie 5 & 10K Snowshoe Race

Traverse City 9 am 10K, 5K snowshoe races Timber Ridge Campground Daniel Siderman (231) 932-5401 events@runningfit.com runsnow.com

qualifier for U.S. National Snowshoe Championships Sat., January 30 MGH Noquemanon Ski Marathon Ishpeming 8:45 am 51K, 25K XC Ski Noquemanon Trail Ishpenming to Marquettte (888) 578-6489 cfuisher@marquette.org www.noquemanon.com

Montrose Frozen Blueberry

Montrose 10:00 am 5KR/W Montrose Carter Elementary School (810) 449-8340 mandy@bluberryrace.com blueberryrace.com

Sunday, January 31 ING Miami Marathon

Miami 6:00 am 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 5KR PR Racing, Inc. (305) 278-8668 ingmiamimarathon.com

February Sat., February 6 Reese Winter Road Race Series Reese 10:00 am 10KR, 5KR/W Reese High School (989) 529-7904 admin@barc-mi.com www.barc-mi.com

White Pine Stampede

Mancelona 9:00 am 10K / 20K / 50K ski classic & freestyle

Mancelona High School / Shanty Creek (231) 587-8812 wps@torchlake.com whitepinestampede.org

(989) 832.2267 jmetevia@yahoo.com barc-mi.com

Sat., February 27 American Birkebeiner

Sunday, February 7

Hayward, WI 8:20 am 57K, 23 K XC Ski Cable to Hayward (715) 634-5025 birkie@birkie.com www.birkie.com

Super 5K

Novi 9:00 am 5KR Novi Town Center Andrea HIghfield (734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com runsuperbowl.com

C-Ville Chill 5K

Coopersville 10:00 am Church Central 5KR/W Family Worship, 247 Church St. (616) 889-8626 npratt@hsagroup.net www.runbroncos.com

Super Bowl 5K

Okemos 10:00 am Kinawa Middle 5KR School, 1900 Kinawa Dr. (517) 702-0226 cblock@lcc.edu runningfoundation.com

USA Indoor Track & Field Championships

Albuquerque, NM track & field meet www.usatf.org/calendars/ 2/27/10 - 2/18/10

Sun., February 28 Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

New Orleans, LA 7:00 am 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5KR (866) 454-6561 bb@pem-usa.com mardi-gras.competitor.com

USA Indoor Track & Field Championships

Albuquerque, NM track & field meet www.usatf.org/calendars/ 2/27/10 - 2/18/10

- MR -

Sat., February 13

Dances with Dirt - Green Swamp

Dade City, FL 50MR, 50KR, 100K relay Running Fit (734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com danceswithdirt.com Subaru North American VASA

Gobles 8:30 am 50K ski, 27K ski, 12K ski, freestyle & classic, 3K and 12K tour, 1K, 3K kids Timber Ridge Resort (231) 938-4400 vasainfo@vasa.org www.vasa.org

USA Cross Country Championships

Spokane, WA 9:00 am 6KR, 8KR, 12KR Plantes Ferry Recreation Park usatf.org/events/2010/USA XCChampionships/ World Cross Country Team Trials

Sat., February 20 Spirit of Winter 5K Run/Walk

Bay City 10:00 am 5KR/W Bay County Community Center

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Running with Tom Henderson

Notes on the Run: Dogs

ntil September sort of redeemed things with a three-week stretch of sun and warm weather, it was a summer without summer, global warming having taken a vacation, rain and cold stuck in place by evil gods and malevolent jet streams.

Typical of my weekends was the last Saturday in April, when the dog, grandson and I were going to do the Trout Festival 5K in Kalkaska. It was freakishly warm in Detroit Friday and on the drive north. It was still 72 at 7 a.m. Saturday. At 8, it was 42 degrees, pouring rain and lightning like crazy. Anyone for bacon and eggs instead of electrocution? The one thing you can do to redeem a lousy summer is try to get to great races. Or, if you get lucky, discover great races by happenstance. This was a summer without summer, but a summer of great races. “GRRRREAT,” as Tony the Tiger would say. Here’s a recap on one geezer’s summer of fun, starting a hair before summer. If you’re looking for places to race next year, these will do you fine. April 18, The Run for Shelter 5K in Traverse City. A downhill start, downhill finish across a meadow and plenty of hills in between through the countryside west of town. Organizers invited folks to run with their dogs and 30-40 pooches showed up. Maddie the mad dog, my black Lab mix, was first canine. Guy came up after the race, his wife still out on the course with his dog, and said: “Man, she’s fast. I’m glad she’s all right. I saw that fat dog at the starting line and said, ‘I hope she doesn’t have a heart attack.’” I thanked him politely. Dog’s a Lab, meaning wide rear end, big bones that help her float half out of the water. But lean as Labs get, all muscle, a racing maniac, as anyone can attest who’s heard her relentless, can’t-take-the-excitement howls as she awaits the starting gun. May 16, the Asparagus Run 5K in Empire. Lousy cold day, rain, driving wind. What’s new? But what a fun, fun race. Starts at the parking lot at the beach just west of town, climbs in the first mile to the top of this monster bluff overlooking Lake 34

Michigan, comes back down the same road you struggled up, loops through town and finishes back at the beach. A classic, small-town festival event. And there’s asparagus to be bought everywhere; nothing better than fresh-picked Michigan asparagus unless it’s fresh-picked sweet corn in August or hot-onthe-bushes raspberries in July.

June 7, the Mancelona Bass Festival 5K. Cold, rainy, windy, looks like November. Sound familiar? Another small-town classic. Starts at the fairgrounds on the outskirts of town, loops on dirt roads through the forest nearby and finishes back where it started. The dog sets her PR by 70 seconds, 23:38 (which means I’m finally getting into some smidgeon of shape after years of yuck). June 25, the Motor City Striders midweek one- and three-mile runs in Huntington Woods. Always nice to see all the old friends, most of them still competitive, who have been doing the midweek races for what seems like forever. Is forever, since I was young first time I showed up. This year I got to introduce a young colleague of mine to his first race and introduce him, too, to the concept of getting outkicked by your elders. June 27, Glen Arbor 5K. What? Sun? Heat? Is this Michigan? Yes, summer makes a return for a day on a pretty course near some of the prettiest places in Michigan. What a great area for post-race hanging around. Take your pick of a park on Glen Lake, beaches on Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dune or just wandering the streets and galleries of Glen Arbor. July 12, Westview Orchards 5K, Romeo. First-time event, funny time for a July race (noon), but great course through acres of rolling peach and apple trees of this sprawling orchard. Plenty of post-race food and lots of raffle prizes. Good cause, too: a benefit for Leader Dogs. Only thing they need to do is start earlier next year. They can’t count on it being 70 degrees at noon in mid-July every year. July 26, Rudyard Summer Fest 5K. Love those small-time festivals, this in a hardscrabble town in the eastern U.P. that makes up in friendliness what it lacks in pizzazz. A weekend full of family activities to go with it. There’s an interesting triathlon in conjunction, which finishes with a short swim in the high school pool, so you don’t have to worry about hypothermia in the nearby lakes. Aug. 1, Elk Rapids Harbor Days 5K. Dog’s been doing this one since she was a

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

By Tom Henderson

Tom Henderson and dog Maddie race the Tahqua 10K. pup. It used to be a small event, but has grown in popularity the last few years. There’s a 10K too. Great place to spend a weekend. Great beaches. Big fair with lots of rides, big fireworks show at night. One year I stood off to the side of the runners, the crowd too thick for me to feel comfortable having a dog on a leash in their midst. I haven’t tripped anyone because of having the dog in a run, yet, and don’t ever plan on it. So they start the race and I’m waiting a few seconds for the speedsters to go by and for an opening to jump in with the dog, and she thinks we’re only watching, not running, and she starts howling in absolutely dejected, heartbroken dismay. When off we went a few seconds later, she ran about 12-second pace for the first 100 meters, so happy to be in action after all. It’s a funny thing, knowing that every race we’re at, the most joyous participant, the one most geeked and pleased to be there, is

Aug. 15, Tahqua 10K, Tahquamenon Falls. Wow! Incredible! You can read the full account of this race elsewhere in this issue. There’s a 25K too. The 10K is on a spectacular trail from the lower falls to the upper falls, so tough, so pretty, so cool. Winning time? More than 50 minutes. If you get too hot and have a mind, there are places you can ease yourself into the river along the way. Another Jeff Crumbaugh classic. Sept. 5, Grass River 5K, near Bellaire. First-time race was a classic, on flat, wellgroomed trails through the conservancy along the Grass River, part of the Chain of Lakes. As fast a trail run as you’ll ever find, with a great cause, raising money to support the area. For the first time in years, reminding me of my youth, I felt strong from start to finish, passing a bunch, finishing 10th of 59. Yeehah!

Witch’s Hat Run, South Lyon

Witch’s Hat Run Conjures Spell for 500 Plus

By Charles Douglas McEwen

SOUTH LYON (9/12/09) — Tyler Foley, 16, conjured up magic in winning the 18th annual Witch’s Hat 10K Run, sponsored by South Lyon High School and South Lyon East Cross Country.

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

always my dog.

Sept. 9, Red Carpet 5K, West Bloomfield. Another of Randy Step’s weird, wacky runs. Folks were invited to run in suits, tuxedos and evening gowns, and many did. Gobs of food at the finish at the Running Fit store.

In 2007 Foley, now a junior at South Lyon East, finished his first 10K here in 40:54. Last year he placed 12th overall in 38:42. This year he used a powerful last-mile kick to prevail in 35:50.

The dog doesn’t have an evening gown and I didn’t want to make her feel bad, so I ditched the suit and ran in shorts. A breakthrough for an old man and his beast, as we finished in 22:37, fastest time I’ve run since just after Y2K fizzled out. Even beat some old rivals for the first time in eons.

Mark Melville, 35, of Huntington Woods (who finished in 35:55) and Spenser Layson, 17 (third in 36:32), ran with Foley for much of the race.

Sept. 19, Harvest Stompede 7-miler, Leelanau Peninsula. Last but not least, the incredible Stompede, ridiculous hills, ridiculously-beautiful scenery, on forest trails and through three vineyards just before harvest, delayed by the no summer this year, but vines still laden with grapes.

Layson had beaten Foley, his high school teammate, here last year. This year Foley pulled away from him after four miles and faced off with Melville.

If you do this race once, you’ll do it over and over. It’s an immutable law. If you like shorter races, be forewarned: The 5K may be shorter, but mile-for-mile it’s tougher, not a bit of flat, just one big uphill and downhill after another. The post-race celebration actually lasts all weekend. You can buy a ticket combo that includes the race, followed by a special pairing of food and wine at each of the participating 17 wineries on the peninsula. They won’t let you do all 17 in one day, so you get to make a weekend of it. Our weekend included four separate beach stops to nap, take a dip and get ready for more wine and food. Life is good. Summer was good. Even if it sucked. MR

South Lyon High School girls escort a youngster around the school track during the kids run.

“At five miles, I kicked it and tried to break him,” Foley said. “I opened a little gap and held it to the end.” Doug Ogden, 46, of Chelsea paced the male masters in 37:43. Two more South Lyon residents battled for the women’s crown in an equally hardfought 10K race. Tammy Klein, 37, edged 2007 queen Erica Aittama, 36, posting 43:12 and 43:24 times respectively. Next came Shannon Smith, 32, of Royal Oak in 43:46. Marjorie O’Donnel, 43, of New Hudson led the masters in 48:18. Former Michigan Runner magazine High School Runner of the Year Tim Moore, 25, an ex-Notre Dame star now a graduate student at the University of North Carolina, ran away with the men’s 5K in 15:39. “I was playing catch-up during the first 800 meters,” Moore said. “Then I tucked in behind the two lead guys and went ahead near the mile mark.”

In another battle between South Lyon natives, Jack Jennings, 20, topped Nate Edwards, 19, for runner-up, 16:22 to 16:30. Victor Brown, 46, of Canton paced the masters in 16:45. South Lyon High School graduate Laurel Park, 46, of Ann Arbor has won the overall women’s 5K here many times, most recently in 2006. Her victory this year represented a comeback from two years of nagging injuries. Park ran 17:33, the same as her time in 2006. “My first mile was about 5:35 and my second 5:30,” Park said. “I’m pretty pleased with that.” Jennifer Hampton, 30, of New Haven was a distant second in 19:49. Danielle Roskens, 13, of South Lyon took third in 21:35. Michelle Fields, 50, of South Lyon led the masters in 23:00 This year’s races drew more than 500 participants, “and the level of competition keeps getting better,” Park said. “I’m pleased.” Proceeds went to the boys and girls cross country programs at the two local high schools. Results are available online at http://www.slxc.com/witch. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009

Tahqua Trail Run, Paradise Tom Henderson

Beauty Rises at Tahqua Falls ing about telling some mad Albanian that Jeff is dating his wife.” In other words, the course isn’t so killer you’ll be planning revenge.

PARADISE (8/15/09) — Leave it to Jeff Crumbaugh — the evil genius behind the three-race, two-day torture fest known as the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival and director of some of the best trail runs and snowshoe races you’ll find — to start the Tahqua Trail 10K with a steep uphill.

It includes views of a large bog, a dense cedar forest, jack pine, several lakes and an eye-popping view of the Lower Falls. (The spectacular Upper Falls are just a short walk from the finish line for both events.)

Steep. Loose sand. Roots. Did I mention steep?

Here’s how Jeff describes the 10K course on his Web site: “The trail takes you up a steep hill and inland for awhile. It features some of the most beautiful forest along the entire course. The trail turns onto a forested ridge overlooking a ravine with a creek, and follows this down to the Tahquamenon River.

Deanna Skelcy, 42, of Rochester Hills was third overall and first woman in 2:16:54, with Jennifer Entwistle, 27, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. second in 2:19:41.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

While I’m leaving it to Jeff, how about I leave it to Jeff to provide a little verbiage to describe the event, held on a gorgeous, unseasonably-warm day that would eventually see the thermometer top out above 90. (A sunny, warm Sunday made it a two-day summer for the Upper Peninsula.)

George Cartwright, 18, of Lander, Wyo., won the 25K in a romp, his time of 1:54 good for a nine-and-a-half-minute win over Scott Przystas, 23, of Gladwin. Tom Held, 46, was third for the men in 2:17:45.

Twelve ran the kids’ 2K, with Dylan Jaskowski, 12, of Roscommon leading the boys in 5:03, and Robin Schaeffer, 11, of Escanaba pacing the girls in 7:06. On this day, on these courses, time wasn’t of the essence. The surroundings were.

“You will hear water rushing and be Deanna Skelcy was third overall in the so close you can almost touch it. Now 25K and first woman in 2:16:54 you are on the River Trail. The first section is extremely technical with roots, roots and even more roots. It is wet and Sound cool? Sound tough? Sounds about there are rocks. The trail is narrow singleright. track. Don’t feel bad if you have to walk this section.” The river was spectacular. The trail was narrower than single-track, wedged extremely (Note: When Jeff Crumbaugh describes a narrow by a profusion of wildflowers of trail as technical, think of the devil describing every color imaginable, shoulder-high at some an activity as sinful. Or really sinful. Be places, dripping with dew, the water droplets warned.) sparking like diamonds, too. If your blood sugar took a dip, well, hey, aren’t those some And then? In Jeff’s words: “This is folwild raspberries, hot and ripe in the sun? lowed by a very hilly section; just be prepared and enjoy it. It is difficult to run this section Tough? Consider the winning time, 50:03 fast. After a mile or so, the trail levels off and by Jeffrey Kolodica, 27, of Linden, who finyou will be very close to the river. When I ran ished 28 seconds up on Jeff Schreiber, 40, of this section last week, the water was West Bend, Wisc. A woman, Christine Boose, sparkling like diamonds and framed with 49, of Windsor, Ont., finished third overall in towering forests on both sides. Take some 53:59, more than two minutes up on Kaitlin time to really enjoy this section. O’Mara, 20, of Goodrich. One can only wonder what kind of terrain Boose finds in “The last 1.2 miles are hilly and feature Windsor to get ready for this trail! several steep, long staircases to take you up into a dense hardwood forest overlooking the Eighty-nine finished the 10K, 96 the 25K. river. You will see massive hemlocks and yelMuch of the first nine miles of the 15.5-miler low birch.” had stretches Jeff describes as fast, which means: “Not so tough that you’ll be fantasiz-

“It was wonderful,” said Wilma Wilder, 56, of Three Rivers, who walked the 10K in 1:43:25. “Next year I’m coming back with my husband.” She and her son, Aaron Cullifer, 38, of Constantine were part of a contingent of 15 or so walkers, runners and spectators who took part in honor of Joe Clewley, who had hiked this and other nearby trails for years. On July 12, 2008, Clewley, 73, went for a hike with his Lab-chow mix and never was seen again. Three weeks later the dog showed up at home, providing some sort of happy ending. A constant barker normally, he was so traumatized by his adventure that he didn’t bark for days. Despite weeks of searching by volunteers, state police, sheriff’s deputies and DNR officials, Clewley’s body wasn’t found. “We’re not doing this as a fundraiser; we just wanted to come out and walk and run and honor Dad,” said Joe Clewley, Jr., who spectated this year but said he’d get in shape to at least walk the 10K next year. Walk this course, Joe, and you’ll know why your dad spent so much time here. And you’ll have no prettier place to honor him. MR

Michigan Runner - November / December 2009