Michigan Runner, November / December 2010 by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

In This Issue November / December 2010

Vol. 32, No. 5

Calendar November 2010 - February 2011

p. 35-38

Features & Departments Editor’s Notes: Way Back By Scott Sullivan Race-Winner Aufdemberge Makes His Pitch By Paul Aufdemberge Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard Phantom Keys By Bob Shaffer Beyond the Chip: The Bucket List By Laurel Park Notes on the Run: 101 Reasons I Run, Part 5 By Daniel G. Kelsey Holdaway Completes Ultra-Running Grand Slam New/ Old Run the Keweenaw Makes for Memorable Trip By Richard Magin Running with Tom Henderson

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At the Races Michigan Masters, Teen Amaze at Crim By Bill Khan Smurfs, Loinclothed Lions Hit Dances with Dirt-Hell By Katie Kelly-Noble Big House Big Heart Scores Big with Runners, Charities By Sarah Smallheer Applefest Runs: East as Pie? Almost By Charles Douglas McEwen Gries, Rzepecki Make Like Lightning on Milford Hills By Charles Douglas McEwen Greek Treats, Hills Abound at Rock and Road By Ron Marinucci Smith, Fenton Go-Go through Sand Blasts at Park2Park By Scott Sullivan Run for Hills Draws 411 for Debut By Charles Douglas McEwen Veneziano Tops Women, Almost Beats Spouse at Bauman’s Race By C.D. McEwen Bechard Goes 2-for-2 at Detroit Zoo By Charles Douglas McEwen Wood Wins Witch’s Hat Debut, Park Repeats By Charles Douglas McEwen Betsy Valley’s Beauty Shines in Fall By Grant Lofdahl Sold-Out T-Rex Triathlon Caps Wednesday-Night Trifecta By Katie Kelly-Noble Tahqua Trail Runs: Insanely Gorgeous, Insanely Tough By Tom Henderson On Your Mark, Get Set, Roll Melons By Heather Dyc Weather, Runners Well-Timed at Brooksie Way By Ron Marinucci Resumed Baldhead Challenge is Soggy Fun By Scott Sullivan Red-Letter Day for 20th Red October Run By Charles Douglas McEwen Youth Rule Run at the Farm By Charles Douglas McEwen Fecht Tops Mena in Kensington Run through Rain By Charles Douglas McEwen Playmakers Classic Features Fundraising Zeal, Speed By Katie Kelly-Noble Bank of America Chicago Marathon Photos by Victah Sailer / photorun.net Governor’s Labor Day Bridge Run Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios Spartan Invitational Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios Capital City River Run Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

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Cover: Paul Aufdemberge’s first place award at the River Days Run in Detroit was the opportunity to throw the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers baseball game. Paul’s account of his experience is on page 5. Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios 2

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

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

By Scott Sullivan

he 1960s cartoon series “Peabody’s Improbable History” featured a WABAC machine in which Mr. Peabody, a professorial, bow tiewearing dog, traveled back in time with his pet boy Sherman to famous events, which were transpiring counter to lessons in school textbooks. Paul Revere, for instance, could not ride through Boston because he had only a statue of a horse, Robin Hood wanted to steal from the poor and give to the rich, and so on. Peabody always found ways to fix the problems, save reputations and insure historical texts were accurate. Each show ended with a dreadful pun. After “correcting” the 1781 surrender of Gen. Cornwallis to Americans at Yorktown, Peabody asks Sherman if he’s heard of the rooster who captured British loyalists. The boy hasn’t. “What?” the dog asks. “You’ve never heard of chicken cacciatore?” Such was the premise of my college history studies and career as a “snapshot” historian in magazines, runner and chronicler of that lifestyle. Should I have a WABAC (a take-off on the UNIVAC computer, a ’60s invention of some portent) at my disposal, I would travel to when I was young, fit and ran much faster — or at least to before I broke a bone in my left knee, and correct that. The “fowl” truth came home to roost when, off crutches, I tried a 5K with friends and placed way, way back. It wasn’t so bad when a 10-year-old girl passed me. Nor when a woman my age did the same, then walked up a hill and I passed her back. The problem was she resumed running, passed me back, walked and let me pass her, ran and passed me back ... then continued running. I had one hope left: a long, closing downhill where my advantage from gaining injury weight would serve me. Look out, 60-lb. kids! Mr. Gravity’s on his way!

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

So I thundered down, passed the woman but not the child, and stormed to the finish, where everyone else in the group, being done, stood waiting. At least I had saved my best for the end. “You looked awful,” a ex-friend said. As a ’60s snob, I had little use for what Jefferson Airplane became: a ‘70s-‘80s pop-hit machine called Starship. Blame them for “Find Your Way Back” among other mega-sellers. Since I was then of an age to buy the record, of course I didn’t. “Contemporary” music, art, running magazines, you name it ... by then meant “crap” to me. Even now, Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time” (published between 1913 and ‘27) seems a richer reference than here and now, being more obscure to me. “Finding my way back” to foot speed may never happen. Nothing dashes hope, after all, like evidence. Still, vanity insists I try, so I’m taking vitamins (my one concession to modern mindsets is “pills solve everything”) and making sure every run I take to unwind from the workday includes some agony. In one adventure, Sherman and Peabody visit Ponce de León to find he has found the Fountain of Youth, his soldiers drank from it and have been transformed into babies. Mess with the time-space continuum, those things happen. With the Seminoles about to attack, Ponce’s cause seems lost; but the Indians, lacking flashbulbs to take pictures of their expected victory, wait until dawn to strike. Peabody spikes their drinks while they sleep with water from the fountain, so at dawn all the Seminoles too are babies. The chief and Ponce declare peace, exchange talcum powder and agree to forget about the fountain. But Sherman does not escape unrewarded. When he inquires of a rusty key he found, Peabody says, “Congratulations. You now own one of the Florida Keys.” Lame? I won’t baby my wounded knee any longer. My only accessible (and inevitable) way is forward. I take solace in nostalgia for times and triumphs I never knew. - MR -

Race-Winner Aufdemberge Makes His Pitch By Paul Aufdemberge

I was a little nervous, even though I knew it was just a simple throw and would be over in an instant. My wife Jeanne and kids Emily and Jacob accompanied me onto the field, and I soon spotted several familiar faces in the stands. Some of my Total Runner co-workers stood right behind the screen behind home plate, and other friends were near the home dugout.

I would have been happy with just the tickets, but I ended up pulling away from Ryan Piippo and the other competitors halfway through the 5K, along the scenic RiverWalk, to win in 16:27.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

hen I heard from Doug Kurtis about the River Days 5K, a new June 19 run in downtown Detroit, I decided right away to run it. The first five men and women would each receive four tickets to a Detroit Tigers game, and the first-place male and female would get to throw out an honorary first pitch before a game.

When the time came, I heard my name on the public address system and I walked to a spot between the pitcher’s mound and home plate. I paused for a second and then threw.

The ball seemed to slip from my fingers almost too easily, and for a split second I wondered where it was headed. To my relief, it went right to the glove of Don Kelly, the Detroit player who Women’s champiserved as catcher. on Andrea Karl threw Paul Aufdemberge’s wife Jeanne and kids, Emily and Jacob, accomKelly signed a baseball out the first pitch panied him onto the field at Comerica Park. for each of the first-ball before the Tigers’ throwers, and we found Labor Day game versus our seats to watch the the Chicago White Sox, the American League starting pitcher in the game, a 10-1 Tigers victory, as a summer-like and I was assigned the Sept. 24 game against All-Star game and was named Rookie of the day turned into an autumn-like evening. the Minnesota Twins, a Friday night game in Year. the last home series of the season. I would guess that about 40 or so family He talked to the ball, groomed the dirt of members and friends came out for the game. A week before the game, I showed up for the pitcher’s mound on his hands and knees, They are the ones who, for me, made this a a morning run with friends and was presentand played the game with such joy and skill night to remember. I am happy that I could ed with a gift. I opened it to find a Tigers jerthat it makes me smile even now. provide an excuse for them to have a fun and sey. I now had the perfect thing to wear for memorable evening. the game! I turned it around, and on the back The Bird’s baseball career, and eventually, was the name “Fidrych” and number 20, his life, ended much too soon. I would be proud Three-time Michigan Runner of the Year Paul honoring the player I had told my friends was to wear his name and number onto the field. Aufdemberge, now a national masters standmy all-time favorite Tiger player. out at 45, denies there is truth to the rumor When game day came, I arrived at he will be in the Tigers’ pitching rotation In 1976, when I was 11 years old, Mark Comerica Park with my family, and we were next year. “The Bird” Fidrych had taken the baseball directed to the playing field from a gate MR world by storm. He won 19 games, filled behind home plate. I would be the second of ballparks with fans wherever he pitched, was four to make an honorary pitch. Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard 24. Race entrants (almost exclusively men) who use fictitious names. 25. Two guys near home; one “runs” wearing a weighted, heavy vest and the other goes for longish walks smoking a cigar. OUT OF THE CLOSET. I have an old shoe box that sits on a shelf in the back of my closet. It holds old race trinkets and awards. It’s an adidas Marathon 80 box, for those who recall that terrific pair of shoes. About half the contents pre-date the early-1980s box, and I go through it about once every couple years to relive memories. About half the awards are inscribed with my age group and place, while the others are a mishmash of ribbons, generic and race-specific faces minus inscriptions. TRIVIA: According to the Association of Road Racing Statisticians (arrs.net), what man and woman have won the most lifetime prize money? THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO HMMM: 1. Folks who run or walk on treadmills on nice days. 2. Folks who go to a track to walk. 3. Folks who run with traffic at their back. 4. Folks who run in the dark without reflective wear. 5. Folks who make a marathon their first race. 6. Folks who take shortcuts in races. 7. Whatever happened to key pockets in shorts? 8. Marathons have been run in space, on ship decks, treadmills and indoor tracks. Is there an underground marathon record? 9. Folks who always run with their phones. 10. Folks who lie about their PRs. 11. Athletes who test positive for performance-enhancing drugs yet maintain their innocence. 12. Parents who live through their children’s running. 13. Running tattoos. 14. Listening to reasons runners give for not running in winter. 15. Visiting coaches wheel-measuring crosscountry courses before meets. 16. The United States boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games. 17. Subpar television coverage of the sport. 18. Tanning salons. 19. Race entry fees. 20. Wondering how far I could have run in 24 hours in my prime. 21. Chocolate Cheerios. 22. Plantar fasciitis and arthritis. 23. The notion of a race on the Pierce Stocking Drive outside Glen Arbor. 6

I have seven generic yet race-specific face awards from an old favorite, the Middleville Turkey Trot 10K. All seven look alike with a turkey and race name on the front and nothing on the back. A Middleville Turkey Trot memory: one year I forgot to pack shorts for the trip from my Ann Arbor home to my mother-in-law’s in Wyoming (Mich.). I was at the local Rogers Department Store door as it opened at 9 a.m. race day. I was in/out in four minutes with a pair of stiff, $10 cotton athletic shorts. I arrived for the 9:30 start with minutes to spare. I don’t recall my time that day but I won one of those awards, proof that clothes don’t make the runner. Well, I guess if you don’t have shorts, you stay home. I digress. I have a medal for finishing third in my high school conference cross-country meet as a senior. My son Jeff also placed third in his conference meet as a senior. That coincidence takes on luster as we each lost to two guys who went on to place in the top three in the state meet that followed.

SCHOOL HALLWAYS. I was inducted into the Ann Arbor Huron High School Hall of Fame on Oct. 2. My invited guests were my son, Jeff, an Ann Arbor Pioneer High all-stater in crosscountry; my former Huron track coach, Kent Overbey, and my brother, Don, who was a 2006 AAH Hall of Fame inductee. I was on Kent’s first track team in spring 1969 and he’s still sharing his coaching candor and wisdom with the River Rats today. I was part of a few firsts at Huron, including being a member of the first team to win an athletic contest and first to win a Lower Peninsula state title. Huron lived in name only during its first two years of athletics. The new school hadn’t been built yet and wouldn’t open until 1969, my senior year. We were housed those first two years in the Pioneer High building. In fact, during my sophomore year, Huron and Pioneer students shared the same classes. The following year, Pioneer students went to school from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., then Huron moved in from 1 to 6 p.m. I played baseball in 10th grade and ran track my last two years, setting a two-mile school record as a junior and mile record as a senior. One other item listed on my Huron Hall résumé was being Most Valuable Player for our state-champ cross team. My athletic prowess, as you can see, was generally meager and dwarfed by what Don did at Huron a couple years later. On merit alone, I didn’t deserve Hall consideration, so I’m especially grateful to my former Huron cross-country coach, Des Ryan, for the nomination and looking beyond my high school career to the time and service I’ve given the sport since then. Pretty much all the things I’ve done in running were the result of being in the right place at the right time and digging in to make the most of each opportunity. It’s an honor and humbling to be inducted into the Hall and recognized as a Huron man who tried to make a difference.

As I went through the box recently, I found one medal I’m going to send to a friend and another that’s light gold in color. On the front is the State of Michigan crest and words “Michigan High School Athletic Association” around the edge. On the back is inscribed “1969 Final Cross-Country Winning Team Class A.” Man, it never gets old looking at that medal, and that meet lives on as one of my top-five sports moments.

The moral here: hang around long enough, achieve a few things over a lifetime and somebody might notice. While getting inducted is sweet, it’s not a stopping point. You’ll be hearing from me for a few more years.

Then I think about all that’s followed that rainy, championship day at the Washtenaw Country Club. A lot has happened, but the medal remains an important benchmark in an unfinished body of work.

ANSWER: Haile Gebreselasie of Ethiopia and Paula Radcliffe of England have won the most prize money. - MR -

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

By Bob Shaffer

Phantom Keys

aving overpaid my dues in academia (Go green!), I know to start by telling you what I am going to tell you. I’m going to write about holiday racing. Next, I define my terms. “Keys” are devices that open objects (or ideas) that are closed. A “phantom” is a person or object that appears or disappears mysteriously. First-time races are always an interesting gamble, sometimes run by non-running directors, sporting 15-year age-groups, one-deep medals and high fees, anyone? Some are an absolute joy and offer a chance to set your age group’s record, at least for a year. I had the pleasure of running a debut Halloween race last year. Ah Halloween! Would this be an excuse for a costume? I thought so, but which? How much? This raises another question of custom and style. Some people are happy to run in cotton, some in whatever, some in club singlets (Go Grand Rapids Running Club!) maybe with pants that don’t clash, some with only the highest-tech gear (Go adidas Tyson Gay compression shorts!). And some of us, after nearly 40 years of running, have something of every color and style. This can be a problem. It means I can be tempted to run in red and green for Christmas, or any high school color theme if the race begins there (you know, Go red Kent City! Go blue-and-yellow East Grand Rapids! etc.). For Halloween, orange and black (I know, Go Rockford! Go Ottawa Hills! Go Halloween!) seemed about right; it could still be technical yet themed.

If I went overboard on the costume thing, I’d be “jumping the shark” (academic reference to “Happy Days” TV character Fonzie, whose jumping a shark on his motorcycle showed the show had outlived its original premise and useful life). After having survived 40 years of end-ofseason sales, I had items unworn and untested but maybe perfect. Let’s see: black tights, black turtleneck, orange singlet, jacket if needed, black gloves, hat and those new shorts that had never been worn because they were too revealing ... without the tights. Race day dawned cold and drizzling, but warmed and colorful by the spirit of the crowd and the costumed fairies. I was color coded but saw my friendly rivals were not: a bad, bad sign.

This meant I better strip down to basics: no glasses, hat or jacket to slow me down. This was serious racing! I get revved, nervy, edgy before a race. So I was proud I was systematic before this one: car keys in pocket, parking brake on, glasses safely stowed and car parked legally. Even time to visit the porta-john. I noted the winged fairies gathered toward the front at the starting line, because the wings would help them fly, I assumed. They couldn’t be like the little kids who line up in front because they think they are going to win (OK, sometimes they do beat us, but more often get trampled. I think I’ve mastered the elbow-in-the-ribs move — just kidding, that’s only for the track.) Alas, the fairies didn’t fly. Their wings not only slowed them down but poked other runners in the eyes as we passed. You know how races go: fast folks take off, old guys try not to get “chicked,” rocket men crash and burn, smart racers try for negative splits. For me, I tend to be positive in this area only.

At home, everyone finally woke up, we got a spare set of keys and drove back to the remnants of the race and my locked car (Go wife!). The spares worked, I drove home, it was finally time for a shower ... and the keys fell out of the crotch of the new shorts. Had they been there all the time? Had they disappeared and reappeared? Who knows, it was Halloween. I hear pros pin keys in their shorts or give them to their agents. Now I tie mine in with the cord. The other lesson is that in really cold races, you don’t feel certain things. On the other hand, there was the 5K/10K double when I put the finishers’ medal in my shorts for the second race and then knew exactly where it was for the whole race! Enjoy! Bob Shaffer practices psychology, when he is not running, in Grand Rapids. - MR -

There is a pleasure-pain balance in fall racing; the hard run pleasantly warms you at the price of aerobic (or anaerobic) pain. The blessed finish ends the pain but allows that really-cold feeling. (At the end of the 1980 Detroit Marathon I went hypothermic; a very heavy German lady laid on top of me and saved me — true.) Afterward I ran slowly a bit to cool down, went to my car to retrieve my hat glasses and jacket — and found that my keys were no longer in my pocket. Nor were they in the john. Nor were they found and turned in. They were probably laying out on the well-measured 3.1-mile course, unseeable without glasses. I don’t carry a cell phone for a fast 5K, do you? My friends were happy to lend me theirs, but no one at home — eight cold, wet miles away — was awake or answering. Could the keys be in the car, as some said? Could the police open my car and check, as some advised? Well no, police will not open your car. The sergeant, however, offered to drive me home. I was cheeky, making him wait till I got my medal. We talked in the squad car about the adventures and travails of our adult children, the economy, etc. He was truly a swell guy. Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Beyond the Chip By Laurel Park

The Bucket List Once I figure out where to park, I feel like I’m on par with all the other entrants. I’m no longer just a tourist or visitor; I’m a member of the community. My entry fee bought me an all-access pass and not only do I get to go backstage before the show, I’ll probably get to hang out and party with the band afterward as well.

ast summer I was telling one of my coworkers about a vacation Rich and I would be taking. We were traveling to Gettysburg, Pa., where I planned to compete in the Spirit of Gettysburg 5K — a race I had long wanted to do.

When I think about some of the races on my list, it’s not just the actual event that’s appealing, but also the chance to “go backstage” in a place that for whatever reason has always seemed interesting.

“Nah, a couple hundred folks,” I replied. “Is it prestigious?” “It’s well-known in the region, but not on the national radar like other races.” “Is there prize money?” “Yes, but not very much.” “OK,” she said slowly, with a look which made clear she could not fathom what would possess me to drive eight hours and spend two nights in a motel to run a little 3-mile race that was not going to pay for itself. “I’ve wanted to do this race for years,” I explained. “Not for any reason other than it sounds cool and I want to do it. “There are several races I want to do while I’m still competitive,” I went on. “I’m getting to the point in my running career where I’d better start doing these races, or it’s gonna be too late.” “Ah!” she said triumphantly. “You have a bucket list!” A bucket list. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I guess she’s right. A bucket list, for those who may not know, is a list of things that you want to do/see/experience before you euphemistically “kick the bucket.” In my case, however, it’s not exactly “kick the bucket” but rather “can still keep ahead of the sag wagon.” It’s startling to realize that the years are flying by and the window of opportunity for trying new races closing. Each year when the “spring racing preview” issues of running magazines hit my mailbox (invariably on a bitterly-cold, snowy day), I eagerly page through them and find so many races that sound interesting. Then reality hits and I remember that my creaky body can only handle so many races 8

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“Is it a big race?” my colleague asked.

Maybe I’ll enjoy the experience and regret having to leave, or maybe a quick glimpse will be enough. Either way, I’ll have gained something, probably learned something, and hopefully have come away with a new friend or two. Running tends to be a small world, and after a while it’s rare to find a race where you don’t bump into someone you know, either directly or through mutual friends — kind of a pre-Facebook social experience.

Laurel Park wins the Witch’s Hat 5K, one of the local races permanently set in her schedule. in a season, and while I’d love to race every weekend, the end result would be very ugly (although lucrative for my physical therapist). Add to that the handful of local races that are permanently set in my schedule, and the number of available weekends decreases dramatically — to around four or five through the entire summer and fall. That’s not very many, relative to all the races in those spring racing previews. A couple of years ago I decided that I better stop talking about “someday” and start getting to these races before my warmup jog is the highlight of my day. While participation is the main draw, my bucket list has an ulterior motive. One of the best things about racing — and one of the main reasons I’m so reluctant to give it up, common sense notwithstanding — is the chance to see new places and meet new people within a known context. Races are comfortable and predictable. I’m in my element, I know what to expect and do, and it’s familiar territory, even if the locale is not.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

That makes my bucket list all the more interesting; I may be traveling to parts distant, but odds are I’ll find at least one familiar name or face. At last year’s Gettysburg race, for example, I saw a young man wearing a maroon “Calvin Alumni” singlet. “Do you think that could be Calvin College in Michigan?” I asked my husband. “Can’t imagine there are many other Calvin Colleges with the same colors,” he replied. I struck up a conversation with the kid, who was indeed a recent Calvin grad spending the summer back home (near Philadelphia) before embarking on a fall internship abroad. We had a wonderful chat about the college, the running program, and his plans — then he proceeded to smoke the rest of the field and win the race.

My bucket list also marks the transition from doing races because I think I should, to doing them because I want to. Particularly early in my career, there were a few races that I didn’t necessarily enjoy but entered anyway, mainly because I felt that I ought to. For whatever reason, those races just didn’t “click” for me, and in some cases they coincided with other races that may have been less prestigious or noteworthy, but that sounded (to me) like a lot more fun.

Over the past decade I’ve found it easier to pick the fun races over the “prestigious” ones. That’s not to say that prestige doesn’t still play a role in the choice process, but it’s not the primary determinant anymore; the experience, rather than the outcome, is the focus. Sometimes the outcome is a foregone conclusion and it’s all about the experience. I would love to run the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City, regardless of the fact that I’d be anchored firmly at the back of the pack watching the rest of the field disappear into the distance. (I am not, nor have I ever been, a miler.) Having visited New York this past July, the thought of running flat-out down Fifth Avenue sounds way cool, no matter how long it would take. Same with the Tufts 10K for Women, which for the past several years has been the USATF 10K National Championship. How awesome — and humbling — to race in the midst of so many talented women. I’ve actually made plans to run Tufts a couple times in the past, but injuries have thwarted my efforts. I’ll get there eventually, I hope.

Moving?

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Being a history devotee, many of the races on my list are in the east, and most are in or near large cities. Another NYC event is the Advil Mini 10K, which takes place in Central Park. I spent a little time in Central Park during last summer’s visit (got lost in it, in fact), and I’m still intrigued by the idea of running a 10K entirely within the confines of that place. (This would also be one of those “enjoy the experience” events.) The James Joyce Ramble 10K in Dedham, Mass., also sounds interesting. I’ve never read any Joyce, but I love the area around Boston and I’m sure the race would be both challenging and educational. Same with the Monument Avenue 10K in Richmond, Va. I attended a professional conference in Richmond about 10 years ago and ran the course early one weekend morning; it was absolutely lovely and furthered my resolve to come back and run the race. One event that ranks high on my list but is not in the east is the Bellin Run 10K in Green Bay, Wisc., because I am a life-long Packers fan. It would be so fun to spend a weekend in Packer country — during the summer. The only frustrating thing about my list is it’s way too long. There are too many places to see, too many events to experience and not enough days to do them. And, of course, new events keep popping up. So, I guess, maybe bucket list is the right description. Hopefully, when my competitive career is over, my creaky hips will still allow me a few miles per week so that I can continue to discover new places, meet new people and keep the bucket as far at bay as possible. MR Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Crim Festival of Races, Flint

Michigan Masters, Teen Amaze at Crim FLINT (8/28/10) — World- and nationalclass athletes took home the big prize money, but Michigan runners excelled as well in the 34th annual Crim Festival of Races. It started in the signature event, the 10mile run, where Paul Aufdemberge, 45, of Redford won the masters race for the third straight year by beating a professional Kenyan runner. Lisa Veneziano, 46, of Fenton was second in the women’s masters race, winning Crim money for the sixth time in her career. Kenyan-born Boaz Cheboiywo of Ypsilanti was the first Michigan finisher, placing seventh overall in 48:10, while Ryan Sheehan of Kalamazoo was seventh in the USATF men’s 10-mile championship race with a time of 48:49. History was made later in the day when Grand Blanc High School senior Gabrielle Anzalone became the first female to win a Crim run outright, taking the 8K race in 29:13.

six Crim paydays, winning $900 as the second-place master to Ramilya Burangulova, 49, of Russia, a 1992 and 1996 Olympian in the marathon. She’s won a total of $2,375 in Crim prize money. “I had no idea who was in front of me,” Veneziano said. “I always shoot for it. I didn’t know who was running from out of the country today, but I felt good. I had a really solid race. I knew I wasn’t too far back, but I didn’t know if I cracked the top three.” Veneziano has run with impressive company the last two years. A year ago, she was third in the masters race, one place behind 1984 Olympic marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson. The 8K run is normally an afterthought on the Crim schedule, with nearly all of the good competition taking place in the 10-mile run. However, that changed when Anzalone set Crim history by beating each of the other 782 entrants — including the males.

While even the best runners in the United States have difficulty beating the Kenyans, Aufdemberge more than holds his own at the masters level, even into his mid-40s.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

By Bill Khan

Gabrielle Anzalone set Crim history by beating each of the other 782 entrants — including the males.

He turned in a time of 52:24 this year, 48 seconds faster than Gideon Mutisya of Kenya.

Aufdemberge passed Mutisya not long after the Bradley Avenue hills, which begin near the five-mile mark. “We’ve kind of battled it out here a couple times,” Aufdemberge said. “He was maybe 50 yards ahead of me at three miles, but I was able to make up some ground on the hills. I felt pretty strong in the second half.” Veneziano had the largest of her 10

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“He’s got some great P.R.’s from when he was younger,” Aufdemberge said of Mutisya. “There’s always a lot of good runners here. It’s nice to do well. I certainly have to take advantage of the opportunities when I get them.”

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Aufdemberge beat Kenyan Joseph Koech last year and Mutisya in 2008 to win masters titles. He was second to Mutisya in 2007.

Julius Kogo is the 2010 Crim 10 Mile Champion.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Women’s lead pack in the Bradley Hills are Teyba Nasser (bib no. 51), Caroline Rotich (bib no. 63) and eventual winner Mare Dibaba Hurssa (bib no. 69)

The track and cross country all-stater finished in a personal-best 29:13, 34 seconds ahead of Warren De La Salle junior Scott Ratkowski. “It’s an amazing feeling,” said Anzalone, who has been the women’s 8K winner the last four years, taking fourth overall in 2008 and 2009. Ratkowski had no problem losing to a girl.

Andrea Pomaranski of Farmington Hills was the first Michigan female, placing sixth among all of her gender in 56:08. “I thought I was second,” she said. “I didn’t really see any women during the race. Somewhere along the line, someone said I was sixth (overall). I knew I had to be top three (Michigan), but I didn’t know I was first. I was just trying to run within myself, run my own race and whatever happened happened.” At the front of the pack, Kenya had a 1-2-3 finish led by Julius Kogo. Kogo didn’t decide to compete until two days before the race, making the trip worth his while by taking first in 47:06 to claim the $5,000 check given to the overall winner. Robert Letting was second (47:15) and Kiprotich Kirui (47:24) third.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Some day, Anzalone may come back to run the 10-mile race and have the success experienced by another former Grand Blanc runner. Sharon (Dickie) Thompson, who now lives in Tennessee, was the fourth overall woman in the 10mile with a time of 55:23. Thompson beat six-time Crim winner Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, fifth in 56:04.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“She’s a phenomenal runner and she’s going to have a great career,” he said. “I’m just happy. I’m going to go tell my coach, give him a good hug.”

Fasil Bizuneh won the USATF Men’s 10 Mile Championship.

Six time Crim Champion, Catherine Ndereba, placed 5th.

Kogo won the Parkersburg (West Virginia) Half Marathon a week before Crim. He felt fit enough to pay his own way to Flint to take a shot here.

Bizuneh’s time was the fastest by an American at Crim since Ed Eyestone took fifth in 1989 in 47:06. His finish tied the best by an American since the race began offering prize money in 1991. Brian Sell, a 2008 Olympian in the marathon, was fourth in the 2004 Crim. “It shows people that I’m back on the scene,” Bizuneh said. He was followed by Americans Antonio Vega in fifth (47:43) and Justin Young in sixth (47:49). In the women’s race, Maree Dibaba of Ethiopia won a three-way sprint to the finish against Kenyan Caroline Rotich and Ethiopian Tayba Naser. Dibaba won in 53:52, two seconds ahead of Rotich. Naser was six seconds off the lead. “I was in the last sprint and thought I might catch her,” Rotich said. “But there was no catching her.” - MR -

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The USATF national men’s 10-mile champion was Fasil Bizuneh, an Indianapolis native who was fourth overall in 47:29. He won $7,000 from an American-only prize purse.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

“He was thirsty for a race,” said Kogo’s coach and agent, Ben Kurgat.

Lisa Veneziano took home $900 as second Master.

Grand Blanc native Sharon (Dickie) Thompson took 4th in 55:23

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2010crim/

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Dances with Dirt, Pinckney

By Katie Kelly-Noble

Runners dance with dirt and wade in the water.

HELL (9/11/10) — Halloween came early this year with the running of Dances With Dirt in Hell. During the twilight hours Saturday, Sept. 11, more than 1,600 athletes gathered to run a 100K relay, 50-mile ultramarathon or 50K ultrarun. While the individual runners garnered respect for their feats of exertion, the day belonged to the costumed relay teams. Harry Potter, comical police officers, cowboys and Smurfs were some of the many team themes. Dressing up was not a race requirement, but those wearing costumes experienced a goofier way to traverse 100K. Race director and Running Fit stores coowner Randy Step was in good spirits on race morning. “This is my favorite day of the year!” said Step. “It’s always perfect; look at the weather!” Rain clouds gathered early on, but the gray skies didn’t seem to make a dent in the exuberant atmosphere. The Smurfs team consisted of five people who identified themselves as Jokey Smurf, Hefty Smurf, Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the evil Smurf-catching wizard, Gargamel. Asked his “real” name, Papa Smurf responded with “Stud Muffin” and “Fun Guy.” Team members had painted their bodies with blue paint. 12

line together. Given the rain, water legs, and mud runners endured along the way, the Smurfs left lots of blue body paint on the trails and resembled a light shade of gray as they made it to the finish together in 9:18:40. - MR -

Not everyone dressed differently for the sake of comedy. Ian Overton, 25, of Colorado only wore a loincloth that left nothing to the imagination. Being such a minimalist dresser, he also wore Vibram Five Fingers on his feet while his teammates wore regular running attire and shoes. Overton said he made the loincloth himself. “(My team) actually doesn’t have a theme. I ran in (the loincloth) as a joke for a race in Vermont and liked it so much that I decided to keep running in it. “It’s very breezy and I get full mobility out of it,” he continued. “This is now my official racing gear. No more second-hand Army shorts, just my loincloth.” Teams finished the relay in just under seven hours to just over 23 hours (aptly-named Creeping Death took last in 23:39:18). After teams were given a time handicap based on age and sex, the Maumee Mud Puppies International took first place, finishing in 6:51:09. Team Fast Bucks was second in 7:08:32 and Team Five Filthy Fifties third in 7:09:2. The Onsted Ringers, who finished first before the handicap, ended up fifth in 7:18:14. By the end of the rain-soaked, tiring day, teams met their last runner at the end of the final leg and slowly trickled across the finish

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Smurfs, Loinclothed Lions Hit Dances With Dirt-Hell

Smurfs team members are Jokey, Hefty, Papa, Smurfette and Gargamel.

Notes on the Run:

101 Reasons I Run, Part 5 By Daniel G. Kelsey “Nothing could be madder, more irresponsible, more dangerous than this guidance of men by dreams.” – George Santayana, “Imagination”

arlsson began in realism. He lived with a pooch so feeble from old age she might wet the carpet without warning — that is, if she didn’t die first — and with a woman so altered by a degenerative disease she spent much of her days lost in a zone.

expert (92) when she put together a race to make money for athletics. But even the out-to-pasture days passed. “Nothing lasts forever but wishes,” Carlsson said. “Now, in my head, I break the tape in front of Lance Armstrong or Maria Sharapova (93) when I’m jogging.” We’ve seen in this series how writers raised realism about running to Realistic Literature. But surely no scrivener raised fantasies about running to Fantasy.

Wrong. I give you “Lud-in-the-Mist,” brought to life by an obscure English novelist, Hope Mirrlees, in 1926. If literary critics ever analyzed this gem of a story they doubtless missed the reality that it’s all about running. The quaint nation of Dorimare lies side by side with a shadowy land of Faerie known as the Dubious Country. Fantasist Lin Carter, in a preface to a 1970 revival of the novel, its last gasp, captured a danger in such proximity:

By going out for a run he gave himself an hour’s respite (Reason 84) from the smell of piss sopped by Pet Fresh and from the drudgery of laundry and kitchen. From there he wandered into fantasy. It started in all innocence. He noted that, from the time he was young, if he stood in line for an hour, he developed soreness in his lower back that persisted for days, but if he ran for an hour, his back held up (85) like he was a man of steel. If he bent over his housemate’s jigsaw puzzle for 15 minutes, he developed stiffness in his neck that kept him awake at night, but if he did tempo for 15 minutes, his neck grew as supple (86) as if his shoulders wore a cape. It progressed in all absurdity. From jogging to sweat off (87) the blueberry muffins he couldn’t give up, he commenced to sprinting to beat the pack (88). He conceived the fever dream of someday winning a small race (89) so that other runners would know his name even if they didn’t know his face. For one season he got so stoked up he twice finished second. His secret desire of winning a cash prize in a bigger race (90) went unfulfilled. After he fell from his peak, running still gave him moments to feed his fantasies. His fellow firefighters treated him like a star attraction (91) when they inaugurated an annual race for fund-raising. A trustee on his local school board treated him like an Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

The folk of Dorimare are prosy, mundane, earthy. They are all business, all respectability, wrapped up in the small, everyday concerns of living. But to the west lies the realm of madness, dreams, poetry and magic.” Young people take to eating fairy fruit floated to Ludin-the-Mist, Dorimare’s capital, by a river from the Dubious Country. Thereupon the running starts with a vengeance. Ranulph (note the name), a son of Master Ambrose Honeysuckle, judge and Lud’s chief citizen, succumbs to a temptation to sample the forbidden. While on the border Ranulph dares his companions to a race to Fairyland, and sprints into shadow, vanishing as if into death. He runs because he’s lost all sense of decorum (94), or so it appears. Luke, a servant boy charged with watching Ranulph, takes to his heels in pursuit, and though he falls behind, runs on as if he’s lost all touch with reality (95). The Crabapple Blossoms, girls of the finest academy in Lud, run away to Fairyland after learning to dance from Willy Wisp, a trickster. Moonlove Honeysuckle stops at home on her way, shrieking as if in horror at facing the wild. “Then, swift as a hare, she tore across the lawn, with glances over her shoulder (96) as if something were pursuing her …” “For a few seconds Master Ambrose stood bewildered, then, setting his jaw, he pounded across the lawn, with as much speed as was left him by nearly 50 years of very soft living ...” He runs with citizens in a panic as if their sanity (97) depends on chasing down their progeny. In the end it falls to Master Ambrose alone to cross over into the surreal world of Fairyland in order to rescue the Crabapple Blossoms and Ranulph. Afterwards it falls to him to make an outrageous proposal in the senate … that the folk of Dorimare partake of fairy fruit. “Only a few months ago what would he have said if someone had told him the day would come when he … would be exhorting the citizens of Lud-in-the-Mist to throw wide their gates and welcome in the Fairies?” Listen to Mirrlees. Take a little starch out of your collar, rigidity out of your cape, stiffness out of your neck (98), and run for your life. Hannah and Jodee, while training with a group, had a talk one evening about their reasons for running. Both were pragmatic, neither given to much in the way of wish-fulfillment. Neither trotted out any shallow philosophies such as “We go because it’s there” or “We do it because we can.” The closest Hannah came to trying fairy fruit was to wish she could get to the point of not puking (99) during or after races. The closest she came to an excursion into the Dubious Country was to look forward to running a big race (100) like the Boston Marathon. Jodee cut to the chase about her reasons for running. “I just love it (101).” - MR -

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Big House, Big Heart, Ann Arbor

Big House Big Heart Scores Big with Runners, Charities By Sarah Smallheer ANN ARBOR (10/3/10) — The fourth annual Big House Big Heart races brought out record crowds of 4,730 participants in the 5K, 1,711 in the 10K and thousands more in the one-mile fun run/walk. The events’ draws include courses which skirts the University of Michigan’s central campus, live entertainment and an unforgettable trip through the players’ tunnel and onto the field at Michigan Stadium for a finish on the 50-yard line of “The Big House.” For diehard U-M football fans, Big House Big Heart should not be missed. The races also serve as a major fundraiser, this year collecting close to $638,000 for more than 140 charities, according to Andrea Highfield of event organizer Champions for Charity. Wet, dreary weather the day before Big House Big Hert gave way to crisp, early-fall temperatures in the mid-40s and brilliant blue skies as the 10K got underway around 8 a.m. Former Eastern Michigan University star Josh Perrin, 24, now of Hamburg, won handily in 31:57, three and a half minutes ahead of his closest competitor. Perrin also claimed the 5K in 15:16, a new course record and the first time a person has doubled and won both races. Beth Wightman, 29, of Toronto claimed the top spot in the women’s 10K in 36:59, also a course record. USATF 2010 masters 10K champion Laurel Park, 47, of Ann Arbor, took home the women’s 5K win in 18:25. Park won the inaugural 2007 race too. Ted Stilber of Dexter was on hand for the third year with his entire family. “My wife raced her first 5K with a 40-minute goal and finished in 37:04,” said Stilber. “My daughter Allie finished in 36:04 and my daughter Katie and I walked together. “Everyone had a great time and we are already looking forward to next year,” Stilber said. Jennifer Alford of Chelsea has run in the Big House races each year since they began. She stepped up to the 10K 2009, then a new addition to the activities. “The Big House Big Heart is one of my favorite events,” Alford said. “I love everything about it: the wonderfully-big participation, all the charities it supports, its great organization and the chills I get when I run through the tunnel onto the field each year. “The race seems to fit my style,” she went on. “I PR’d in the 10K each of the last two years. To top it off, my young kids and husband join me in my post-race bliss to run the one-mile fun run. “I’ll run this event as long as my legs allow me to and I hope that will be a very long time,” she said. - MR -

Huron Township Applefest, New Boston

Applefest Runs: Easy as Pie? Almost ...

NEW BOSTON (10/3/10) — With fall colors at their peak, and apple pies and quarts of cider as awards, the record 357 runners and walkers at the Huron Township Applefest had plenty of motivation to finish hard. Matthew Robin, 27, of New Boston and Andrea Blake, 31, of Dearborn did just that as the overall winners of the 5K. “This is my hometown race,” said Robin. “I wanted to do well here.”

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

It was his first overall triumph here, Blake’s third in the past four years. She said the course was changed slightly from the past.

Andrea Blake won the 5K and was second overall.

from Yates. “I stepped on the gas and was fortunate enough to get away.” Karen Meraw, 25, of Shelby Township led the women in 39:41. Serena Williams, 14, of Allen Park, running much of the way with her dad, Steve, took second in 42:02. “I really liked this course,” Meraw said. “And I like the Applefest in general. I could eat a whole apple pie right now.” The Applefest Runs, hosted by the Downriver Runners, start and end in town and travel a tree-lined, gently-rolling, out-and-back course through Lower Huron Metropark. After the races, participants could enjoy the Applefest Street Fair here. For complete race results go to http://www.everalracemgt.com. - MR -

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Karen Meraw led the women in the 10K.

“There were more hills and I think we were on the bike trail more,” Blake said. “It was windy too.”

Robin led from the start, crossing first in 17:40. Blake was second overall in 19:28. Paul Deladurantaye, 64, of Southgate, placed third in 19:46. Andrea Bodary, 14, of New Boston was the women’s runner-up in 21:27. Aaron Al-Sorghali, 24, of Toledo, Ohio, won the men’s 10K in 37:18, beating out Tom Yates, 49, of New Boston, the top masters runner, who finished in 37:31. ”I figured I had to make a move around 5K or else I’d get burned in the end,” said Al-Sorghali of breaking away

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Labor Day 30K and 10K, Milford

Gries, Rzepecki Make Like Lightning on Milford Hills By Charles Douglas McEwen

2:02:22. Sixth-place Tracy Wollschlager, 41, of Novi was the masters queen in 2:11:22.

MILFORD (9/11/10) — Jon Gries and Jackie Rzepecki made successful debuts at the 30K race distance and in Milford, winning the 10th annual Labor Day runs this year.

“It was great,” said Rzepecki of her Milford debut. “This is a beautiful city. It’s a great course.”

“I led for most of the middle of race,” said Gries. “Ian Forsyth came up on me about mile 15. But then he dropped out.”

Desilets, a former Eastern Michigan University star, held a cavernous lead throughout. “It’s hard to stay focused and push on the hill climbs when you’re all by yourself,” he said.

Forsyth pulled over with a cramp in his calf. Gries said the hills were getting ornery at that point.

Masters champ Kirk Walrath, 40, of Fenton took second in 33:54, followed by Andrew Porinsky, 25, of Dexter in 33:55.

“The one right before mile 16 was a killer,” he said. “Real steep and a rhythm-breaker. “A friend told me when I signed up that it was a nice course on dirt roads and flat. But it was more challenging than that.”

Denisa Costescu, 34, of Walled Lake paced the women in 37:20. Next came Cathleen Willy, 26, of Alexandria, Va. in 39:47, and Kimberly Noonan, 35, of Washington in 45:55. Fourth-place Jane Sanders, 54, of White Lake topped the masters in 46:10.

Gries won in 1:41:18. With Forsyth dropping out, Eric Green, 42, of Pontiac was second overall and the top masters finisher in 1:50:04. Michael Johnson, 29, of Ann Arbor took third in 1:52:26.

Doug Klingensmith is director of this event, which had 918 participants. For complete results, go to www.LaborDay30K.com. - MR -

Jordan Desilets ran away with the 10K for the second year in a row.

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2010milford/

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Jackie Rzepecki led the women in the 30K with 1:59:58

Photo by Greg Sadler / Greg Sadler Photography

Photo by Janel Norris / Greg Sadler Photography

Photo by Joanne Wojnar / Greg Sadler Photography

Rzepecki led the women in 1:59:58, followed by Suzanne Larsen, 29, of Fenton in 2:02:09 and Julie Zehr, 29, of Ottawa in

Denisa Costescu paced the women in the 10K in 37:20.

Photo by Greg Sadler / Greg Sadler Photography

Jordan Desilets, 29, of Pinckney ran away with the 10K for the second year in a row, running a 32:29 to beat his time last year by eight seconds.

Gries, 24, of Okemos and Rzepecki, 31, of Lake Orion faced talented competition.

Jon Gries made a successful debut at the 30K distance in a 1:41:18 win.

Rock and Road Race, West Bloomfield

Greek Treats, Hills Abound at Rock and Road By Ron Marinucci

Mike Rollason. They were age-group awardwinners too.

WEST BLOOMFIELD (9/12/10) — The only thing that could have made the West Bloomfield Rock and Road Races any better would have been more runners.

Filiatrout followed Holmes and Rollason after the race too. “I’m going to get some of that good food now,” she laughed.

The courses were pretty, accurate and challenging. The weather gods cooperated. And the post-race refreshments were special, if unusual. In addition to the traditional bananas, bagels, etc., runners were treated to Greek salad, pita roll-ups and Coney Islands, courtesy of Greek Island Coney Restaurant. The morning began with overcast skies, which soon blossomed into a cloudless, bright blue. Temperatures were in the upper 50s and lower 60s, with only the slightest of breezes. Both courses, designed by Michigan running legend Doug Kurtis, were a treat. The 5K covered a bike path and mostlyresidential streets, with some rolling hills. “There was sort of a grinder coming back,” said 65-69 age-group winner Robert Drapal. “But it wasn’t terrible. It was a good course with no traffic.” This was good news to runners who recalled last year’s 5K, when a wrong turn led them to a very short course. The 10K course boasted something for everyone. Its first three miles took in a bike path and residential streets. Then runners veered off for a little more than a mile through the woods of the West Bloomfield Nature Preserve. Footing there was mostly crushed limestone and forest dirt. The next half-mile followed the West Bloomfield rails-to-trails path. A short jaunt through another subdivision led to the final mile on a cross-country course, grass and dirt. There were a lot of short-but-steep hills and upgrades throughout the course. Rebecca Filiatrout, running the 5K as just her second race, took home a second-place agegroup medal. “It was great,” she said afterward. “It was a beautiful day, a lot of fun.” Her race strategy, she told me, was “to keep your friends in the orange vests in sight.” My “friends” were blind runner Michael Holmes and his guide for this race,

Gershon Weiner, 75, also won his age group. “It was a great day,” he grinned after the awards ceremony. “They (the organizers) did a nice job … and had little tots to seniors.” Matt Hughes, 14, ran with his aunt, Susan Bach. Both were doing their first 10Ks. Matt has been running since seventh-grade cross country, while Aunt Susan said, “This is my first year running.” Matt, now a Bloomfield Hills Andover freshman, thought the course was “fun, with the trails and hills my favorite parts. I tried to run it all — and I did!” “Oh my gosh, there were a lot of hills!” said Aunt Susan. “It was challenging, but pretty and mapped out well.”

of runners. “We had many positive comments about the course, people enjoyed the trail through the preserve and we couldn’t have asked for a better weather.” He was hoping for 250-plus registrations, but came up short of that, likely due to moving the race from May to September. “The reason for the change was the number of races in the spring,” said Troshak. “The courses for both races were a little drier than they were on our former May date. But I understand that when you move the date, people feel like it is a new race.” He thanked race sponsors Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Greek Island Coney Restaurant, Busch’s Market, Hiller Chiropractic and the Beacon C and G Newspapers. Troshak also cited the many volunteers, including the West Bloomfield police and parks staff. Race results can be found at http://www.westbloomfieldparks.org. - MR -

Both took home age-group hardware: Matt first and Aunt Susan second. Ryan Robinson, 44, was the overall 10K winner. “I brought my kids out,” he said. “They shamed me into running it too.” Robinson had run the first Rock and Road five years ago, “so I knew what I was in for. It’s the same course, a tough one, and as beautiful as ever.” “It always seemed there was someone behind me,” he said. But there wasn’t – not near, at least. Robinson shot out to the lead in the first half-mile and won by more than two minutes. “I just ran my own race,” he said. Masters runners grabbed the spotlight in both races. In the 5K, Walt Czarnecki and Tammy Gomizawa, each 42, claimed firsts overall. Kevin Sherwood and Mary Kay Dodero moved up, then, to masters champions. Fred Hagen, 81, finished the 5K as the morning’s most-senior runner. Allison Lustig, 32, broke the masters monopoly, winning the women’s 10K. Denise Dashner and Eric Eiswerth were the first masters finishers. Race director Dennis Troshak was happy with everything but the final number Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Park 2 Park, Holland

Smith, Fenton Go-Go through Sand Blasts at Park2Park

By Scott Sullivan

seconds ahead of Amelia Herman, 31, of Holland.

HOLLAND (9/25/10) — Runners can go-go at Park2Park. The sixth annual half-marathon and 5K feature flat, fast courses that pass through or past a plethora of parks.

“She (Herman) was closing on Cathy with two miles left,” said Rick Ganzi, who ran with and helped to pace Fenton. “I urged Cathy to go now and try to break her.” “‘Break’ is too strong a word,” said Fenton. “But surging did seem to make a difference.” She planned to join Ganzi leading pace teams at the Grand Rapids Marathon Oct. 17, then aim for a sub-3:20 at the New York City Marathon Nov. 7.

Word has spread that the 13.1-miler makes a near-perfect fall marathon tuneup: this year’s 570 finishers were up 37 percent from last year’s record of 416, which was more than double the prior year’s standard. Soon there’ll be no place to park in Park Township left.

Two-time defending champ Kelly Daniels, 36, of Grand Haven — who had beaten Fenton at the Mt. Baldhead Challenge 15K two weeks earlier in nearby Saugatuck — finished third in 1:33:09. Masters queen Nancy Kocsis, 45, of Grandville, took fourth overall in 1:35:51.

The answer, my friend, to who’d win men’s race was blowing in the wind until coleaders Matt Smith and Kevin Rook hit the Holland State Park loop beside Lake Michigan.

Of the half-marathon’s 570 finishers, 324 (57 percent) were women, a near reversal from Park2Park No. 1 six years ago, when two-thirds were men.

“When I surged at four miles, he (Rook) stayed with me,” said defending champ Smith, 36, of Holland, who ran for Northern Arizona University’s 1995 NCAA runner-up cross-country team. “At the beach (between miles seven and eight) I managed some separation.”

Photo by Scott Sullivan

There, the gales of September sent waves crashing above the Lake Macatawa breakwater, blasted dunes so that stinging grains sanded off rough edges on runners’ forms and helped Smith to gap Rook.

The 5K, which looped on a paved, wooded trail through Winstrom Park, saw similar distribution with 147 female and 108 male finishers. Winners were Nathan Fujoika, 26, of Grand Rapids (16:37) and Alicia Sherwood, 23, of Jenison (19:03). Some of the loudest cheers went to Evan Hughes of Holland, who finished 236th in 47:55 — at age 3.

“I fell off in the wind Park2Park raises funds for there,” said Rook, 24, of the nonprofit Christian commuPlainwell, who ran as a Eventual winner Matt Smith (in green singlet) makes his nity organization Neighbors Plus, Western Michigan University move at the beach to pull away from runner-up Kevin which furnishes financial trainstudent although the school no ing, family mentoring, English as longer has men’s track and cross Rook. a second language classes and country programs. He placed other services aimed at “building 1:15:03. Next came Steven Gates, 29, of third at the Borgess half-marathon in a stronger community by education, guiding Byron Center (1:18:44). Kalamazoo April 24 (1:21:09) and had run a and caring.” 13.1-mile split of 1:17 at the Fifth Third River Masters champ Craig Spoelhof, 42, Bank Run 25K in Grand Rapids, but this was “We are building a stronger community by crossed sixth overall in 1:22:42, 10 seconds different. encouraging healthy activities such as running,” ahead of fellow Holland resident Randy race director Sherrie Kornoelje Santos said. Vanloo, 47. “Borgess was hilly and I’m running faster now. Today’s time is my best,” Rook said. For complete race results and more inforAn elated Cathy Fenton, 42, of Wayland, mation, visit www.classicrace.com. - MR finished women’s champion in 1:29:40, 16 Smith finished in 1:13:44 to Rook’s 18

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Run for the Hills, Farmington

Run for Hills Draws 411 for Debut

Bauman’s Charity 5K, Flint

Veneziano Tops Women, Almost Beats Spouse at Bauman’s Race

By Charles Douglas McEwen

FARMINGTON (8/21/10) — The Farmington Run for the Hills drew 411 runners and walkers for its inaugural event.

FLINT (8/12/10) — If she doesn’t own the Bauman’s Charity 5K outright, Lisa Veneziano has certainly made her mark at this Thursday evening event, which starts and finishes at Kettering University.

Proceeds from its 10K, 5K and 1-mile races raised $5,000 for Special Olympics Oakland County. Sponsors included Jet’s Pizza, Quicken Loans, Running Fit, Total Runner, Tortoise and Hare Running and Fitness/Ann Arbor, New Balance, Panera Bread, Tom Holzer Ford, Bright House Networks, Saddlershots.com, Schematix, The Oakland Press and Michigan Runner. “It was a good race,” said women’s 10K winner Heather Dyc. “The course was pretty tough. That first hill, right off the bat, was hard, and there was another big hill on mile two. It’s hard to run a fast time on a course like this, but it was good. I’ll be back next year.” Dyc, 26, of Redford led the women from the start, but University of Portland (Oregon) senior Theresa Hailey, 21, shadowed her much of the way. “Every time I would speed up, she (Dyc) would also speed up, so I never could quite catch up to her,” Hailey said. Dyc timed 40:42, Hailey 41:10. Laura Maslar, 53, of Grosse Pointe took third in 44:14. Eric Green, 42, of Pontiac, MR’s 2009 Male Masters Runner of Year, won the men’s 10K in 34:30, finishing ahead of Brendan Murphy, 18, of Sterling Heights (35:04) and another top masters runner, Steve Menovcik, 41, of Grand Ledge (36:11). Green dominated from start to finish but didn’t run one of his fastest times, he said. “There were a decent amount of hills,” Green said. “But what really did me in was the humidity. It got really wet out there.” Green runs for the Front Line Racing Team, as does men’s 5K winner Matt Yacoub, 36, of Farmington. Like Green, Yacoub opened a big lead at the start of the race, but Caleb Kline, 19, of Ann Arbor made up a lot ground at the end. “I got a little cramp with a quarter-mile to go,” Yacoub said. “But I pushed through it and was able hold off the guy behind me.” Yacoub finished in 16:31. Next came Kline (16:45) and Phil Stead, 29, of Ann Arbor (17:10). Angela Matthews led the women in 17:24, followed by Denisa Costescu, 34, of Novi (17:57) and Bella Jones, 13, of Farmington (23:45). For complete results, go to http://www.farmingtonrunforthehills.com. - MR -

Veneziano, 45, won the women’s race for the fourth straight year. She also won in 1999 when she ran a course-record 17:29. “That was my PR,” Veneziano said. “I’ll always remember that day. I’m not sure that I’ll ever see that time again, but I keep coming back to try.” This year a temperature in the low 90s made it hard to run dazzling times. Veneziano prevailed in 18:53, beating Casey Campbell, 16, of Swartz Creek (19:59) and Kaylie Milne, 15, of Grand Blanc (20:45). Wanda Handlin, 53, of Flint was fourth overall in 22:44 Veneziano runs this race every year with her husband, Jay Owens, 49, of Fenton. “The race is always great,” Owens said. “It’s probably the only evening race we run. If you catch some nice weather, you can go fast on it.” Owens, who usually beats Veneziano in 5Ks, bested her this year by just 16 seconds. For anything over 10K, she runs away from him. “Lisa said if she had another quarter-mile she would have got me tonight, which is probably true,” he said. “We toe the line at the start of races, then say goodbye,” Owens continued. “I would run with her, but she likes to run more by herself. I think it keeps her more focused on her race.” Wes Stoody, 21, of Fenton (16:33) won the men’s race, followed by Chad Mrdeza, 13, of Lennox (16:55) and Kreg Hatfield, 32, of Flint (16:56). John Niven, 46, of Swartz Creek was the top masters runner (17:54). For complete race results, visit http://riverbendstriders.com. - MR Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak

Bechard Goes 2-for-2 at Detroit Zoo

By Charles Douglas McEwen

ROYAL OAK (9/19/10) — Vince Bechard did double duty at the Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo, presented by Ford Motor Co. Bechard, 22, of Dearborn cruised to victory in the 5K in 16:19, then came back 30 minutes later to capture the 10K in 34:26.

Run Wild was Bechard’s first visit to the Detroit Zoo and his dominance was surprising considering that the races had 2,338 humans participating. He said he planned to visit the polar bears before going home. Benjamin Kendall, 14, of Dearborn took second in the 5K in 17:46. Ziv Barjoseph, 39, of Pittsfield was runner-up in the 10K in 37:51.

Photo by Jennie McCafferty

“It’s a fast course,” Bechard said. “I didn’t have any expectations except to run hard and get in a solid workout. It’s good preparation the Detroit Half Marathon, which I’ll run next month.”

Bibs provided admission to the Detroit Zoo’s exhibits and beautiful grounds.

Dorsey Dobry, 42, of Franklin (40:23) and Sonja Hanson, 41, of Rochester Hills (41:21), representing the Hansons-Brooks Development Project, finished 1-2 among women in the 10K. Dobry learned about this race from Hanson. “It’s a great course,” the winner said. “Fun, scenic, beautiful!” Hanson felt she ran pretty well herself. “It wasn’t a PR for me, but it was still good,” she said. “I was just trying to keep an eye on the leader (Dobry). But she’s much faster than I am.”

Dave Wolbert, 51, of Flint (18:07) and Donna Olson, 60, of Canton (23:10) led the masters in the 5K. The top 10K masters were Rodney Reneski, 44, of Goodrich (38:31) and Sue Michonski, 45, of Huntington Woods (48:58). Run Wild raised more than $85,000 last year to pay for equipment in the Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex. “It’s nice to do fun runs,” said Kern. “When it’s for a good cause, it’s even better.”

Dorsey Dobry won the 10K in 40:23.

For complete results, visit http://www.raceservices.com.

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2010runwild/ 20

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

Stephanie Kern, 27, won the women’s 5K in 19:14. Last year’s winner, Paula Antoniou, 37, a veterinary technician from Lake Orion, took second in 20:08.

Vince Bechard cruised to victory in the 5K, then came back later to capture the 10K.

Witch’s Hat, South Lyon

Wood Wins Witch’s Hat Debut, Park Repeats

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Another 160 were in the 10K. In that race, Josh Perrin, 24, of Hamburg and Laura Maslar, 53, of Northville collected overall victories.

SOUTH LYON (9/11/10) — Fifth-time entrant Bennett Prud’homme knew the Witch’s Hat 5K course as well as anyone, but first-timer Alex Wood, a 1:57 800-meter runner in high school, had the bigger kick at the end.

Perrin timed 31:25 to pace the men. Next came Blake Yard, 17, (35:07) and masters champ Victor Brown, 47, of Canton (35:57).

Prud’homme, 20, a South Lyon High School graduate, and Wood, 19, of Birmingham, ran most of the race together.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Perrin, who led from the start, ran one of the faster 10Ks in race history, but he said that he had trouble adjusting to South Lyon’s altitude. “I just got back from Colorado and this is my first hard run in a week,” he said. Maslar paced the women in 43:35, followed by 16-year-olds Maggie Sadler (44:50) and Caitlin Millis (45:00). Maslar has a 41:02 PR, but characterized her 43:35 as “not bad for a 53-year-old.”

Laura Masler won the 10K in 43:35.

All event proceeds support the boys and girls cross country programs at South Lyon and South Lyon East high schools. For complete results, visit www.slxc.com/witch. - MR -

Gavin Smith, 33, of Northville took third in 17:11. Masters champ Rob Basydlo, 43, of Davisburg, placed eighth overall in 18:33.

First-timer Alex Wood out kicked Bennett Prud’homme to win the 5K. With 200 meters to go, Wood accelerated to beat Prud’homme by seven seconds. “I pushed the pace for the first mile,” Prud’homme said. “We worked together for the second mile. After that it was kind of a free-for-all.”

Women’s champ Laurel Park, 47, of Ann Arbor finished right behind Basydlo. Working her way back from an injury, Park fell shy of the 17:32 she ran winning last year. But her 18:42 still placed her more than a minute and a half ahead of her closest women’s rival. “I pulled my hamstring at Diemer (the Brian Diemer/Amerikam 5K in Cutlerville) in June,” she said. “So I haven’t done much of anything (running-wise) since then.”

Taking advantage of the cool weather and flat course, both ran PRs. Wood’s 16:49 was 10 seconds faster than his previous best 5K.

Park, who has won this 5K many times during its 19-year history, was a South Lyon High School classmate of race director Scott Smith once upon a time.

“I wouldn’t have been able to run that time without him (Prud’homme) being there,” Wood said. “He ran really well. It was fantastic to have someone to run with the whole way.”

Dani Steinbacher, 25, of Ann Arbor finished second in 20:15. Next came 13-yearolds Claire Ford of Huntington Woods (21:16) and Erin O’Donnel of New Hudson (21:22).

Prud’homme’s 16:56 beat his previous PR by 17 seconds. “This is my favorite race of the year,” he said. “I look forward to it more than anything.”

Close to 600 runners and walkers signed up for the the Witch’s Hat 5K, 10K and One Mile Fun Run. Well over 300 entered the 5K. Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Holdaway Completes Ultra-Running Grand Slam

ale Holdaway of Northville became the first Michigander to complete the “Grand Slam of Ultrarunning” Sept. 11, finishing the Wasatch Front 100-Mile Endurance Run in Midway, Utah.

Holdaway earlier this year finished 100-mile races at Western States in California during June, Vermont in July and Leadville, Colo., during August. He became just the 202nd person to complete the Slam in its 25-year history. Most of them live and train in the mountainous regions of California, Colorado, Utah and Washington.

as “The Race Across the Sky,” averages close to 10,000 feet in altitude and climbs to as high as 12,500 feet, where breathing can be especially difficult for athletes from relatively low-lying states like Michigan. The course at Wasatch, the granddaddy of them all, ascends about 27,000 feet and descends about 26,000 — pretty much the same elevation change as beginning at sea level, then scaling and descending Mount Everest. Holdaway completed the Slam in 104 hours, the sixth fastest time of all 2010 participants (28 embarked on the fourrace series and 13 finished).

Finishing ultramarathons is no given, even for those Dale Holdaway comwho are highly trained. Rates pletes the “Grand average about 50 percent in Slam” of Ultra-Running 100-mile races where dehyAlthough reladration, muscle fatigue, sleep tively new to ultrarundeprivation, altitude sickness, ning (he began in 2008 by running the nausea and blisters are among obstacles Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim with his that stop many runners short. brother, Michael), Holdaway is an experienced marathoner with a personal best of In addition, runners must complete 3:08. races within specified cut-off times (30 hours for most 100-mile events) to be He is also a fast learner, last year considered official finishers. winning the Central United States 50Mile Trail Running Championship and Holdaway said that ever since his finishing first overall at Michigan’s first days as a high school wrestler in Arizona 100-mile race, the Hallucination 100(where he was state champion in the 132Mile Run. lb. weight class) he has enjoyed competitive sports and pushing himself to the limHoldaway balances running with its. being a husband and father of four children, working at Ford Motor Co. and He said each Grand Slam event presvolunteering for community organizaents its own challenges. Western States, tions. for instance, traverses the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Squaw Valley to He trained for the Slam “running lots Auburn, Calif., and climbs about 18,000 of miles on the beautiful trails in feet while descending approximately Michigan’s state parks, up and down the 22,000 feet. Both snow and temperatures biggest hills I could find, and working out above 100 degrees are often encountered on a StairMaster machine to simulate during the race. mountain climbs I would face in The Grand Slam races.” High temperatures and humidity combined with relentless rolling hills and What’s next? “Catching up on yard mountains made this year’s Vermont 100work and other honey-dos that were miler difficult as well. placed on hold this summer,” Holdaway said. - MRThe Leadville trail run, also known

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Betsy Valley Half Marathon, Thompsonville

Betsy Valley’s Beauty Shines in Fall

By Grant Lofdahl

THOMPSONVILLE (10/3/10) — A large group of athletes gathered in front of the main lodge at Crystal Mountain, chatting and preparing themselves for the event to come. No, there wasn’t a freak early snowstorm that got folks out on the slopes two months early; they were competing in the fifth annual Betsie Valley HalfMarathon and accompanying 10K and 5K races. Sunny conditions with overnight lows temperatures in the 30s greeted runners as they set out from one of the state’s top resorts into the northern countryside. Clarkston’s Earl Brinker and Traverse City’s Ron Zywicki flew to the front of the pack. When Brinker turned onto the 5K route, he was on his own for a solo 16:52 victory. Zywicki, 49, raced like a 29-year-old, speeding up and down the early hills on scenic country roads with Mt. Pleasant’s Tim Mocny hot and his heels in the 13.1-miler. Yours truly teamed up with Rockford’s David Plambeck shortly before turning onto the Betsie Valley Trail, from which the race gets its name. The two of us clicked off a nice, even pace despite consistently-inaccurate mile markers that may have thrown inexperienced runners for a loop. The pair ahead of us barely slowed from their fast early pace, as the indomitable Zywicki crushed his own course record by more than three minutes with a 1:13:17 — an impressive 5:36 per mile. Mocny followed in 1:14:56, also under the old course record. The author broke away from Plambeck near the 10mile mark and placed third, more than five minutes behind the leaders. Kevin Tarras of Grawn followed Plambeck to round out the top five, while women’s winner Tasha O’Malley of McBain made it a northern Michigan masters sweep. O’Malley, 41, broke her 2009 course record and placed sixth overall in 1:27:47. Traverse City’s Jessica Kerfoot took the women’s 5K, while Jason Johnson, also from TC, was the overall 10K winner. Molly Brinker of Clarkston made it a double-Brinker victory as she won the women’s 10K and placed second overall in 40:37. With brilliant October sunshin highlighting fall colors just starting to emerge, Crystal Mountain made a spectacular backdrop for the awards ceremony. The Betsie Valley Run certainly lived up to its billing of giving 231 runners — 95 of those in the halfmarathon — a taste of “the best of Northern Michigan’s beauty.” - MR -

T-Rex Triathlon, Brighton

Sold-Out T-Rex Triathlon Caps Wednesday-Night Trifecta By Katie Kelly-Noble BRIGHTON (8/18/10) — First there was the Triceratops Triathlon June 23, then the Pterodactyl Triathlon July 21. The T-Rex Triathlon completed Running Fit’s Wednesday-night trifecta. All three series events offered dinosaur buoys, prehistoric memorabilia and stiff competition. “Tri” as they might, no one could stop Joe Deighan, who won all three races. Deighan, 39, of Beverly Hills, completed the sweep at T-Rex in 1:01:26. Ryan Rivamonte, 19, of Commerce Township took second (1:03:01) for the second year in a row. Chad Mahakian, 25, of Farmington Hills was third in 1:03:26, improving eight places from his 2009 finish here. Last year’s race and series winner, Roman Krzyzanowski, 39, of Plymouth, placed fourth.

The popular triathlon sold out before race day arrived. Age-group winner Jane Sanders, 55, of Plymouth said she came to get in a midweek speed workout and to encourage the people she coaches for Running Fit’s triathlon training class. “I choose the T-Rex series for several reasons,” she said. “I wanted to be there with the people in my class. Several did the entire series and improved each time. I am proud of them. “The T-Rex series races are well organized, fast and fun,” Sanders added. “Everyone has a great time out there, whether they are an experienced triathlete or new to the sport. “I was happy to see a good number of women in my (55-59) age group. People of all ages, shapes and can enjoy triathlons,” she said. - MR -

Mahakian attributed his improved time to cooler weather. “It seemed that everyone had faster times tonight,” he said. “The previous series races were warm and humid. “I was about two minutes faster here than I was in July,” he said. Mahakian, who completed his first full Ironman last month, said the increased training helped too. “I like the bike course, because it’s a big loop so you can tell what place you are in,” he said. “I came out of the second transition in third place and wanted to go sub-20 on the run. “I was pleased with my 18:51, which was a PR on this course,” he said. Erin O’Mara, 25, of Ypsilanti and Laura Sophiea, 55, of Bloomfield Hills fought it out for the women’s win. Although O’Mara ran the concluding 5K almost 1:30 faster than her competitor, Sophiea won in 1:06:26 to O’Mara’s 1:09:19. Sophiea took advantage of her impeccable swimming skills, clocking 13:24. She followed that with a strong bike and never looked back. Anne Marie Phillips, 49, of Northville was third in 1:09:50.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Photo by Greg Maino

New/Old Run the Keweenaw Makes for Memorable Trip

Richard Magin worries his next step will pitch him off the plank bridge onto the rocks below. By Richard Magin COPPER HARBOR (8/11-13/10) — Turning left at the only stoplight in Copper Harbor, where the road sign reads “Miami, FL 1,900 miles” and glancing right at the wind-blown water of the harbor, I bemoaned how fate had again conspired to ensure that I begin another long ride home to Chicago in misery. Sometimes, as with Rod Stewart’s lament in his song “Maggie May,” I wish I’d never seen its pretty face at the far north end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, with its array of mountain bike and hiking trails, scenic overlooks and deep, dark forests. Heading south on U.S 41 — rolling through a canopy of pine, spruce and aspen — I struggled to keep my eyes on the road. Minutes earlier, as my wife Karen poured me into the right front seat of our Toyota Prius and I tried to pour Coke down my throat to settle the few bits of food I’d not yet puked up, I contemplated staying yet another night, and perhaps even retiring up here — just to avoid the annual drive. But, like my nausea, the feeling passed and I reflected on why I have this urge each year to 24

travel almost 500 miles from home to run in the three trail races of “Run the Keweenaw” — a continuation of the decade-old Keweenaw Trail Running Festival now organized by the Keweenaw Trails Alliance in coordination with the Copper Harbor Trails Club. Each year I join several hundred similarly-afflicted souls who seek out the challenges of running in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and each year I head home like a whipped puppy, head down and tail between my legs. How I got into this state — and condition — is the subject of this tale.

No (Or All) Man’s Island This year I found a new way to turn an opportunity for a refreshing vacation in the great outdoors into a time of second-guessing and regret. I told Karen that I used to think that I had to run 26 miles to feel this bad. But she smiled and knew the race in this case was actually a 52-mile ultra — not one over the mountain-bike and back-country hiking trails of the Keweenaw, but over the 900foot-deep canyons and abysses of Lake Superior.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

And the mode of transportation was not my feet, a bike or even a sea kayak; it was a small ferry boat, the Isle Royale Queen IV, which carries happy tourists to Isle Royale National Park to see moose and wolves, and brings back sick, pale refugees puking all the way — when, as Gordon Lightfoot sang about the Edmund Fitzgerald, “the gales of November come early.” It was July, not November, but nevertheless, there were 35-mph southwest winds blowing 4to 8-foot waves that bisected our course. The relentless barrel rolls of the ship brought seasickness to many, and the journey was not the anticipated happy ending to our first visit to Isle Royale, even though the return voyage began with seeing a moose come down to the shore to say “goodbye.” Our trip over three days earlier was on calm seas: tranquil and smooth – I read a magazine most of the way. On that trip I sat near the bow to watch the boat’s entry into Rock Harbor, site of the Rock Harbor Inn, our home for three nights of post-trail running R&R, hiking and canoeing. The island was abloom with wildflowers,

a few ripe thimbleberries and an incredible array of lichens along its many miles of hiking trails. But I could only sample a few of those miles on my sore and tired legs (I wished could have spent more time hiking and camping on Isle Royale. On fresh legs, it would be a great place to try a one- or twoday run: north to south on the Greenstone Ridge Trail is 42 miles). As it was, running for me was out of the question, but I did get in some hikes up to Lookout Louise and around Tobin Harbor. Our room in the lodge opened out onto a small deck that rested on a rock being washed by the waves of Lake Superior. Who knew that such benign conditions could change so fast into a maelstrom, but such is the history of Superior dating back to when the Ojibwe named it Gichigami (big water). At first the lake was quiet, restful and relaxing; a great place for me to soak, sooth and stretch the sore muscles I had overused during the previous two days (July 10-11) of trail running at the Run the Keweenaw.

Trail Fest Renewed The RTK consists of three primary trail races: Mt Baldy Summit Run (6K), Copper Harbor Trails Challenge (12K) and Keweenaw Trails Run (25K); as well as a Junior Trail Run (2K), a 25K relay and opportunity to hike all the courses. The RTK shuffled the schedule of the previous Keweenaw Trail Running Festival races by beginning with a 6K run up Mt. Baldy at nearby Eagle Harbor Saturday morning, instead of reveille at Ft. Wilkins. Resurfacing of state Highway 26 from Eagle Harbor to Copper Harbor curtailed the traditional sandy slog across the Eagle Harbor beach, so the runners all assembled about a kilometer up the road from town, right where the course turns northwest on a bee line to the summit. No complaints were heard about a little course shortening as most of the assembled runners seemed to be KTRF veterans and knew what they were getting into. Who said experience leads to knowledge? Maybe this is not true of trail running — where selective amnesia from prolonged oxygen deprivation may lead to memory loss. But I digress and I am sailing pretty close to the kinds of questions I deal with in my bioengineering work: my annual trip up the UP is not designed to generate new hypotheses about learning, motivation and delayed gratification. The hill climb started promptly at 9 a.m. and the bunched pack of runners wasted no time darting off ahead of me along the wide

trail. The course was pretty straight for a trail race, but what it lacked in turns it made up for with sand, rocks, roots and incline. It was a hard run to pace properly, as the footing and slope varied all the way, making it almost impossible to find a comfort zone (other than by walking). Once over or through the small stream at the 1K mark and up the first big sand dune, most racers were running at or near their maximum heart rate. Sooner or later on this ascent I knew from experience that I would have to walk a bit to get my breathing under control. At least with the new morning start and shade of the forest, overheating was not a problem. Plus, with the hill run now coming first, the runners all had fresh legs. Speed is ideal, but mostly we runners don’t want to strain or sprain anything this early in the morning or the weekend. Trying to shift gears — like on a mountain bike — is probably the best way to run this thing, but my technique seems to be one of sequential downshifting as I get closer to the top: start off slow and fade. And, as always, it was the false summit about 1K from the finish that invited novices (and slow learners) to push too hard, too soon. Nevertheless, once the summit of Mt. Baldy was in sight — and the trail smoothed out — many runners were able to find extra energy for a surge to join the pack reassembling on the top. The male and female winners of the hill climb were Karl Walczak (21:01) and Amy Roberts (25:46), both of Houghton. The top of Mt. Baldy was really where we wanted to be, in part to be done, but also in part to take in the panoramic view of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Eagle Harbor and Lake Superior. There are some nice photos of the finish of the race and the views on the web at http://www.juskuz.com/2010/07/11-run-thekeweenaw-2010/. On this crystal-clear, cloudless morning, the view was almost good enough to compensate for the pain of running all the way up the hill. My friends, Joe and Cheryl Corbeille, snapped my picture at the top with Eagle Harbor in the background, so at least I would have more than just a word picture to show my friends back in Chicago. Looking around, I really missed sharing the view and experience of the run with them. This feeling hit home as I started my long walk back to the start. It may have only taken 30 minutes — or a bit more in my case — to get to the top, but it usually takes more than twice as long to walk back to the car parked along the beach in Eagle Harbor. On the walk down I chatted with fellow

runners, old friends and new. We all enjoyed this time on the trail when no clock was running. Funny how the races, which seem neverending when you are in them, are all a blur afterwards; I actually have more memories of the walk down than of the run up. Back in Eagle Harbor, I headed for the cool, soothing waters of Superior to soak away the strain and soreness. The drive back to Copper Harbor extended the tranquil mood, as this section of road was an arbor of arching trees with just enough light coming though the high branches to dapple the asphalt with a mosaic of sun and shade: one of my favorites drives in all of the UP. After a shower and quick lunch (so quick that I missed the barbecue that race organizer Lori Hauswirth had arranged, with a country/rock/folk band, in Grant Township Park, right next to the start/finish line), Karen and I took advantage of the sunny day to book a cruise to the Copper Harbor lighthouse (the first on Superior, established in 1848). I guess I was thinking of the old schedule of races with the evening run going off at 7 p.m., so I was surprised when we returned from our boat trip to see it was 4:15 p.m.; the evening 12K trail run was set to start at five. So much for me taking an afternoon nap. One trouble with “destination” marathons or trail runs is the tension between focusing on the race and trying to explore local sights and attractions. On the other hand, staying at the Lake Fanny Hooe Resort and Campground, we were less than a quarter mile from the start and finish of the next two races; knowing the area is an advantage when time is short for the transition from tourist to trail runner. While I quickly dressed for more trail work and hunted up the bug spray and suntan lotion, Karen grabbed a book and headed for the deck on the back of our cottage. It was hot so she was careful to sit in the shade. It did not look like I was going to have that option, as the sun was still above the tree line and the temperature was over 80 degrees. I tried to scope out the 12K course sketched with magic marker on a topographical map posted at race headquarters (in the community center, also at Grant Township Park), but could not follow the crisscross of lines, arrows and finger smudges winding off to the southwest and up toward Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. The good news was that we did not actually go all the way to the top and the trail seemed to hug the contour lines most of the way; the bad news was that the new course, after crossing Highway 41, headed up towards Brockway Mountain and was 12K,

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

not the 10K of the previous year. For a glimpse of the topology and the many trails around Copper Harbor, see the interactive trail map on the Web site for the Copper Harbor Trails Club (http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails). Sooner than I could say “Jack Flash,” the runners were called to the start and sent on their way directly past my parked car and wife at the lake resort. The first kilometer was flat and fast as it circled a pond south of town. Then the course turned sharply into the woods along a path of small round stones often seen on beaches in the UP — a reminder that the shoreline of Superior was once much higher. This section of trail slowed down the pack and allowed us to calibrate our effort meters for the coming ascent. This began with the deceptively-named “Garden Brook” trail, which connected to the “Woopidy Woo” trail — you get the idea. The names say it all as far as incline is concerned, but the start was not a trail in the usual sense; it was a bridge made up of way too many — literally hundreds — of roughcut, two-foot-wide, wooden-slab cross ties. This conveyance might be interesting and challenging for mountain bike racers, but the looming gaps between boards were terrifying and I ran with a fear that my next step would pitch me off the bridge onto the rocks below, where only a few ferns would break the fall. I slowed as much as I could without holding up the train of runners behind me. Another concern with this type of “trail” was that there was no room to step aside — like a gentleman trail runner — to allow passing. Near the top of the ridge we were diverted off the planks to a more-typical single track — aptly named Woopidy Woo — with its normal rhythm: rocks/roots, step up/step down, turn left/turn right and inhale/exhale. This three-dimensional washboard ride over the terrain was the full video experience, not the simpler two-dimensional projection that I tried to decode on the map before the race. The fundamental contradiction of trail running is that we profess to do it so we can get out and see the woods and the great outdoors, but in fact, to be any good at it — or to even survive running on a difficult trail — you must always keep your eyes firmly focused on the trail immediately in front of your feet. Somewhere near the 5K sign the first-aid station came into view. I gulped some water, stepped aside to let the greyhounds pass and resumed the race in the company of two other runners.

Here in the central section of the race I was tempted to try to pick up the pace and pass, but we were holding about an 8minute-mile pace, which is good for me on trails, and I remembered there was more to come in this race and in the one tomorrow, so I kept my place in the train. As often happens, complacency brings about a downfall, and this is particularly true in trail running. Just as I was beginning to feel comfortable with the pace and trail, I caught a toe on a rock, tripped and did a full body slam to the hard truth of trail running. The soft truth of trail running is that we care about each other. No sooner had I hit the ground than the train of runners screeched to a stop and inquired about my afflictions. When I assured others they were minor, they offered to pull me to my feet. I scrambled to my feet remembering the trailrunning mantra, “He who dances with dirt, runs with blood,” and got the group going again. I was not running with a sense of complacency any longer. Despite a few twinges in the joints and some stings from the skin at bending surfaces, all the internal joint sockets seemed to be functioning normally, but my steps were certainly more cautious. By the time we had reformed and regained a steady pace, I began to notice that we had turned around back toward town and that the trail (now, either “Woopidy Woo” or the “Garden Brook,” no time to read signs) was actually heading down a gradient. After more wandering around the mean level of the ridge, the woods opened again onto Highway 41 and I recognized that we were back on a fast track to the finish area. The leader of our little group must have noticed this also, as he took off and we all tried to pick up the pace behind him. Like most trail races, the 12K course was marked every 5K, so it was not really possible to set or maintain a sense of pace per kilometer as one can on a road course. Thus, when we trail runners find ourselves in a situation where we think we know how far we have to go, we take advantage of it, even if — as I mentioned earlier — we should be prudent in marshalling limited resources in a multi-day event. But none of us, it seems, can hold back with the end of the trail, if not in sight, at least within our grasp. So I accelerated down the final section (which thankfully skirted the old plank road) and almost zipped around the pond to the finishing banner in just under one hour. There, as the parade of runners crossed the finish line, we were greeted by friends and family who looked askance at the sweaty, dirty and in some cases bloody knees of the runners (male winner Daniel Dehlin of

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Marquette in 39:11, female winner Roberts in 46:14). Our supporters had seen it all before and would see it again tomorrow. After thanking my fellow runners, I headed to Lake Fanny Hooe for a cool and refreshing dip to wash off the dirt and dried blood, and to soothe sore muscles. The early 5 p.m. start/finish allowed runners time for a dinner of fresh lake trout or whitefish at the Tamarack or the Mariner North, and a slow stroll along the Copper Harbor dock where the Isle Royale Queen IV was getting ready for a sunset cruise. There was no cruise for me this night, except for the short one back to the cottage and an early bedtime. Day Two The Run the Keweenaw weekend really hit home when I got up Sunday morning: sore, tired and not fully awake. I was dimly aware that before breakfast, I faced a 2- to 3-hour trail run on a course twice as long as the night before. Resigned to my fate, I began morning rituals trying not to think about the upcoming race nor disturb my sleeping spouse. One nice thing about staying at Lake Fanny Hooe was that I only had to go 200 meters or so to get to the start line, and Karen, if she woke up, could just look out the window of our cottage to watch me pass by 20 meters from our bed. Since the new 25K course was a double loop, she could miss the start and still catch us all an hour later when the parade went by again. The trail map showed a course resembling a twisted and folded rubber band, stretching first up the “Stairway to Heaven,” then encircling Ft. Wilkins. It was too convoluted for me to follow this early in the day. The heat had evaporated and the expected rain had held off. Fewer runners answered the bell for day two of racing, and most who did seemed as stiff and slow-moving as I was. I chatted with a lady as we assembled near the start. She was being “cheered” by her four young children and tired-looking husband. I’m not sure who was looking forward less to the morning run, husband or wife, but the kids were fully awake and excited. “Where does she find time to train?” I wondered. Such runners speak to the diversity of trail running and the lure of the woods. I was sure her family could have found a nice lakeside resort in the Wisconsin Dells, or much closer to home, and she could certainly find easier ways to exercise than by hitting the trails. No one drives all the way to Copper Harbor just for a cardio workout. Each trail runner is driven by other demons.

The demon who designed the RTK courses this year was Daniel Dehlin, and the angel who marked them was Bill Marlor. But it was Arni Ronis, owner of Downwind Sports (Houghton and Marquette), who called us to attention at the start line. Arni, who was also the official starter for the Saturday races, outlined the general layout of the 25K course with particular mention of a new part that was still “under construction” and warning to be careful on the section aptly named “Paul’s Plunge.” Having never run the new 25K course, I was at a loss as to how to pace myself. My stiff body set its own pace until my muscles and joints warmed up. Proper pacing is fundamental in trail races, as the flat sections tempt you to speed up, the uphills to walk and the downhills to tempt fate. As in the 12K the night before, we started out going around the pond, then climbed planks of the infamous “Stairway to Heaven” trail. I kept running, but just when I thought I might have to slow down the train of runners behind me by walking, the course broke right onto “Here We Go” again. I whispered to myself and to the course designer, “Thank you.” As my breathing rate fell, I felt a sharp pain as the scab on my right knee broke open, reminding me what could happen if I failed to keep my attention on task today. I tried to run in a smooth, easy rhythm along the “Dza Beet” and “Blue” trails, picking up a quick drink of Heed at the 5K rest station. I was tempted to give chase to faster runners, but cruising in a trail race tempts fate as I’d learned yesterday. So I held off and tried to enjoy the run while maintaining a steady effort. Somewhere I read the advice “Be one with the trail” — a little too New Age for me at my age — but at this stage it fit my feelings. Near the 10K trail sign, the course seemed to turn back toward Copper Harbor and descend. I pulled a gel pack off my waistband and washed it down with a drink from the water tank as we passed under the “Finish” banner for the first time. I even stopped for a few seconds to catch my breath and to swallow the whole cup of water. Then it was off down the side of the highway, right through downtown and onto a rolling roadside bike trail that took us toward Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. The unimpeded path (no rocks or roots) allowed me to stretch out my stride and maybe take a minute or so off of my per-mile pace. After about a mile we turned right and entered the park, near the campsites, and traversed the entire length of the area past grog-

gy campers as we came back along the north shore of Lake Fanny Hooe. Just as I started to wonder if I had missed the 15K sign, it appeared and the trail popped out of the woods right next to our cottage. I waved to Karen and, dripping sweat, overheard two campers asking each other what we were running from. A good question. The good news was that I had less than 10K to run; the bad news was that, as we headed up the road toward Manganese Falls, we were nearing the bottom of “Paul’s Plunge.” This steep section of the course was unfinished and looking up it was daunting. (You didn’t think that we would get to run down it, did you?) Just as I entered the woods, the clouds — which had been threatening all morning — opened up (just waiting, I guess, for the cue from the race director?). This turned the soft dirt, roots and rocks of the trail into mud, slippery sticks and puddles filled with hidden stones. Since the path up had become a downward-flowing cataract, running — for me — was not an option, and just making upward progress was a chore. As I slogged, slid and shimmied over and around obstacles, the toll of two races in two days and two hours running without breakfast began to build into a major bonk. Runners were passing me on the uphill and I felt down on myself; I am never as strong or well-trained as I’d like to be, and trail running chisels into such weaknesses. It was a great relief to finally reach to the top of this section and to see a downhill ahead along a dirt road toward Lake Manganese. I picked up my head, feet and attitude — as I needed to, because this new “Mango” trail was only finished Friday night. As we passed the 20K sign, I began to think about the finish as we connected with the “Ma Maki” trail and caught a bit of a second wind. I was hearing more footsteps behind me and getting tired of stepping off the trail to allow faster runners to pass, as trail-running etiquette requires. So I picked up my pace and began to look forward to the gentle descent to the finish that closed out the 12K yesterday. Here, unfortunately, the course designer had a different idea — and one more trick up his sleeve. At the trail junction named “Here We Go/Der We Went,” we veered right toward signs announcing “Cliffs Ahead” and showing crude drawings of upside-down mountain bikes with falling riders. Sure enough, the next 100 meters or so of rain-soaked pine planks skirted rock ledges, taking us along the edges of a trail with 50- to 150-foot drop-offs only a shoe length to my right. Since I’m scared of heights even when in

full possession of my faculties, this was not a happy time for me. Fortunately, I stayed vertical all along the ridges and steep plank bridges, even the one named “Clyde’s Slide.” I did slow, but this time no one came sprinting past, and as soon as I saw the path ahead covered with small round pebbles, I knew that the final flat trail section around the pond and across the field was near. I was so happy I almost sprinted along the path to the finish. (Note that “sprinting” at this stage of a 25K race is a relative term.) I crossed the finish line with the heady feeling that if I had not completely conquered the course, I had at least conquered my fear of it. After crossing the line to warm wishes from the soaked, hardy race crew, I walked stiffly to the water tank and shook hands with recent and incoming finishers. Not much was said, but from the relief on our faces and mud on our shoes, you could glimpse what we had shared and see how happy we were to be finished — all in more ways than one. The 25K winners were again Dehlin (1:31:18) and Roberts (1:47:58). The cold rain discouraged me from my usual post-race leg dip in Lake Superior, something I would regret in the next few days when hiking on Isle Royale with very sore muscles. Instead I headed back towards our cottage and a long hot shower. The runners then converged on Zik’s Bar/The Pines Restaurant, which the night before had been hopping under a banner reading “Bikers Welcome” but now was more sedate as a breakfast buffet was spread out beside the bar. Taking a seat with a full plate next to five other runners, I introduced myself and quipped that what the RTK really needed was a 50K race to make the weekend an even 100K event. Fortunately, the other runners took this as a jest and did not dump me and my breakfast plate back out in the rain. Later, sitting with new friends at the awards ceremony, I saw the mother of four I had met at the 25K starting line picking up a nice piece of local, hand-made pottery as an age-group winner. I’m not sure who was happier: husband, wife or daughters, but I am pretty sure that they will all be back next year — as will I — at the RTK. The overall RTK series winners were, for the women, Roberts, Kelly Lufkin of Houghton and Karly Sikma of Grand Rapids. The men’s winners were Dehlin, Matthew Waite of St. Paul, Minn., and Eric Charette of Huntsville, Ala. When not running Michigan trails, writer Richard Magin, 63, is a bioengineering professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. - MR -

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Tahqua Trail Run, Paradise

Tahqua Trail Runs: Insanely Gorgeous, Insanely Tough

By Tom Henderson

Justin Noble of Pinckney, who ran 49:18. His wife, Katie, led the 52 women in the field and was third overall in 50:47, just eight seconds back of male runner-up Tanner Nichols of White Pigeon.

PARADISE (8/15/10) — The Tahqua Trail runs are pure Jeff Crumbaugh, Michigan Runner’s 2009 Contributor of the Year.

Rob Schell, a 50-something from Kalamazoo, was the first master in 59:24, with Lynda Dast of Mt. Pleasant taking women’s master’s honors in 1:06:44.

Like other of his one-of-a-kind events, most particularly the insane Keweenaw Trail Festival he invented (three tortuous trail runs in a little more a day), the Tahqua runs are equal blends of breathtaking beauty and breath-stealing difficulty.

These things are incredibly beautiful and incredibly tough. Which once again earns Crumbaugh the nickname “Evil Bastard Jeff.” Thunderstorms were predicted for this year’s runs, after a week of hot, sunny weather more reminiscent of Georgia than the UP, a spell so warm in a summer so warm that people swam and frolicked in Lake Superior without screaming in pain or worrying about losing their reproductive abilities. And the morning brought sounds of thunder, a sighting or two of lightning and a brief rain. But by race start, the threat was past and runners — the combined field of 200 entrants had filled up several weeks earlier — could focus their attention on the feat at hand. And their feet. These aren’t courses for sightseeing,

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Difficult? What a boring word, so nondescriptive, to apply to the you-gotta-be-kidding-me nature of the 25K and 10K runs along the Tahquamenon River in the Upper Peninsula.

Only one runner among the 113 in the 25K broke two hours, Kyle Larson of Duluth in 1:54:15, more than six minutes ahead of Lee Kanitz of Hessel, who was 10 minutes ahead of the third-place runner and first master Troy Hering of Rothschild, Wisc., who finished in 2:10:56. Bridget Durocher of South Range led the 43 women in 2:23:45, nearly eight minutes ahead of Jill Allardyce of Saginaw. Janice MacKay of Sault Ste. Marie, running in the 50-54 division, was top master in 2:42:22. As usual, Crumbaugh gave runners their money’s worth. Entry fees were a bit steep by normal standards, but this was anything but normal. They included a bus ride to the starts, organic t-shirts, cherry juice, iced coffee and blueberry muffins at the finish and handcrafted bowls by a Munising artist to the top three in each age group.

Bridget Durocher led the women in the 25K.

Sunday’s races were preceded by a 2K run for kids Saturday and a pasta dinner. Grant Smitz of Roscommon led the five boys in 9:20 and Victoria Vining of Sault Ste. Marie led the five girls in 12:39. - MR -

although you’d be nuts not to sneak a peak at the gorgeous scenery slipping by, the sun reflecting off the river, the canopy of green overhead, the wildflowers, grasses and … oops, pay attention.

But at the first thought of, “Hey, this course isn’t so tough after all, just a stroll along a river,” the trail makes a right turn and heads straight up the side of the gorge that lines the river. Some of the uphill might be stairs built by park laborers, but most is tree roots, rocks and ledges built into the ground by centuries of foot traffic. Then you hit the crest, make a U-turn and head back down a treacherous descent of roots and rocks. Run along the river some more, start to get comfortable, time to head back up the gorge and back down. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Justin Noble of Pinckney broke 50 minutes to win the 10K. 28

Think the courses are tough? Only one runner of 73 in the 10K broke 50 minutes,

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

There’s mud to slip in where small creeks cross the trail on their way to the river. Much of the route is single track along the river.

Michigan Runner contributor Katie Kelly-Noble won the 10K.

Melon Run, Howell

On Your Mark, Get Set, Roll Melons By Heather Dyc

course too challenging, but his training hadn’t been as good this season. The female 5K winner was Cherie Salmeto, 40, of Pinckney in 21:11.

HOWELL (8/20/10) -- The 33rd annual Melon Run defended its title as one of the most scenic and family-friendly events around, winning the attention of competitive runners and melon rollers.

Cookies, chips, fruit juice smoothies, ice cream, candy-coated pecans and more refreshments were ideal for hungry runners. Entrants battled the three H’s -- heat, humidity and hills -- as they set out on their runs.

Eighteen-year-olds Jacob Johnson of Hartland and Andy Stone of South Lyon were two of several runners to race dressed as melon heads. For the second year in a row, they crossed the finish line with only their eyes peering out from underneath carved melons. They said they switched their designs from last year to make their melon heads cooler and more dynamic.

Kids enjoy the evening Melon Roll.

For complete results, visit www.gaultracemanagement.com. - MR -

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Adam Dohm, 27, of Saline won the 5K in 17:31. He said he didn’t find the

Brish was all smiles as she finished. “I come for the Melon Roll,” she said. “Did you see those guys?”

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

In true summertime fashion, the aroma of the State Street Barbecue and live music from Livingston County’s 93.5 Classic Hit station accompanied runners as they warmed up for the 5K and 10K races that started at 7 p.m.

Shane Logan, 32, of Pontiac won the men’s 10K in 36:25. Krys Brish, 46, of Milford paced the women in 44:57.

Cherie Salmeto is the Melon Run 5K Champion. Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Brooksie Way, Rochester Hills

Weather, Runners Well-Timed at Brooksie Way

By Ron Marinucci

“I was extremely glad that the weather was what it was,” she continued. “The temperatures were lower than I am used to running in, but I think that helped more than hurt me.

ROCHESTER HILLS (10/3/10) — The Brooksie Way has seen impressive growth in its first three years. Its 2008 inaugural drew 3,352 runners and walkers. Last year that number increased by a couple hundred.

“The mid-morning sun and clear blue sky, along with the changing leaves on the trees, made the course a beautiful experience. It felt more like running trails than taking to the streets — and that made the hills tolerable.”

This year’s Brooksie continued that growth, with more than 4,000 persons competing in events held at several distances.

Addressing the crowd from scaffolding at the race start, Shorter said runners would have “no excuses” not to run well given the ideal weather. He challenged them to offer encouragement as they passed him in the race. Shorter, 62, finished in 27:22 after admitting he recently had “160,000-mile maintenance” on his hip.

Slosser said the enthusiasm of participants was infectious. “Everyone seemed excited. That made the mood around the starting line much more positive,” she said.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Among the almost 1,100 who ran the 5K was two-time Olympic marathon medalist Frank Shorter (gold 1972, silver 1976). Michigan’s Greg Meyer, the last American male to win the Boston Marathon 27 years ago, walked the 5K with Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson. Patterson nosed Meyer out at the finish for the second straight year.

“Drubbler” Riley McLincha of Clio brought his three basketballs to the half-marathon again. He’s done all three Brooksies.

Winner Leo Foley (bib no. 36), Shane Logan (center), and runner-up Eric Green (bib no. 2162) are having fun leading the Brooksie Way Half Marathon.

Indeed, the morning began bright and sunny with little or no wind. That would change, but only after most runners had crossed the finish line. Temperatures hovered in the low 40s at race start. Long sleeves, knit hats, and gloves were common sights for the first time since March. All three races started at the northeast corner of the Oakland University campus and finished at the beautiful and historic Meadowbrook Mansion, all 88,000 square feet of it. The 5K course, for the most part, circled through the campus. It was scenic, but had a couple hills to keep runners from dozing off. The mile race traced the eastern fringe of the campus before heading down to Meadowbrook. It was mostly flat. The feature event, the half marathon, attracted more than 2,500 runners and 100-

plus walkers. The course was varied, beautiful and challenging. From its start, it took runners along three major thoroughfares for a bit more than three seriously-rolling miles. Almost three more miles of mostly-flat crushed stone followed on the Clinton River and Paint Creek trails, broken up by about a mile through downtown Rochester and a municipal park. Miles seven to 11 threw runners a halfdozen long, grinding hills. It was interesting to listen to their ideas of which were the toughest: “The mile between seven and eight” ... “The long one just before 11.” The last two miles were relatively flat or downhill. First-time Brooksie half-marathoner Kristen Slosser felt she wasn’t prepared for the hilliness of the course. “It took a lot out of me,” she said.

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2010brooksie_way/

McLincha admitted he carried the balls — in a bag he fashioned with help of a bungee cord — on the trails and the dirt of Dutton Road. “But I drubbled (a combination of dribbling and juggling) about the same as length as the Crim” (10 miles), he said. Brent Hull won the 5K in 17:23. Women’s champ Kaitlyn Berry was second overall in 17:36, the fastest women’s time ever at Brooksie by almost a minute.

Tim DiFalco and Patricia Collins were masters champions. Monte Piliawsky, 66, ran 23:09, an age-graded 17:56. Leo Foley, a top-10 finisher in his prior two Brooksie half-marathons, triumphed this year in 1:14:33, a minute and a half before runner-up and top master Eric Green. Eryn Caton won by more than a minute among the women, posting a 1:25:06 that was 49 seconds fasters than her effort last year. Hometowner John Brabbs grabbed the masters crown, while Andrea Osika and Deanna Skelcy continued their strong masters showings here, finishing 1-2. Dillon Smith drew attention by running 1:20:42 at age 13, a 6:10 pace. The Brooksie was initiated to raise money and awareness for healthy lifestyles. It has provided almost $20,000 in grants to programs in Oakland County dedicated to those goals. It is named after Patterson’s son,

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Mt. Baldhead Challenge, Saugatuck

Eryn Caton won the half marathon by more than a minute.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Resumed Baldhead Challenge is Soggy Fun

Jim Springer (124) and Steve Gerenser (189) are grinning just steps away from the top of 302 By Scott Sullivan

Pedro, 14, led the males in 19:13 and 20:37 respectively. Sister Mary Mendoza, 12, paced the females in 24:02.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS (9/11/10) — The Mt. Baldhead Challenge is challenge enough without adding rain to it.

“We had 215 registered runners and 70 volunteers who stuck with it despite getting soaked,” race director Ginger Smith said. “People loved the new course.

The road runs, which took a sabbatical while steps up their namesake sand dune were rebuilt last year, returned in rain which left 190 finishers — 131 in the 15K, 59 in the 5K — not needing showers afterward.

“We’d have loved sunshine. But we have building blocks for next year.” - MR -

Never did post-race towels and coffee feel and taste so good.

Brooksie, an avid athlete and outdoorsman who died in a snowmobile accident in 2007.

Next came Sam Ramirez, 43, of Chicago (1:00:57), Spencer Carr, 28 of St. Joseph (1:04:39) and hometown favorite Jim Springer, 45, of Saugatuck (1:05:30).

This year’s Brooksie timed things perfectly. Race end found many runners shivering, heading for entertainment in Shotwell Pavilion or to their cars to avoid cold northwest winds that had blown in suddenly. Fortunately, few runners were affected during the races themselves.

Kelly Daniels, 36, of Grand Haven, paced the women in 1:11:07. She was followed by Cathy Fenton, 42, of Wayland (1:12:07), Gail Kuipers, 45, of Holland (1:15:30) and Christine Scott of Birmingham (1:18:26).

For complete results, visit http://www.thebrooksieway.com. - MR -

It was a good day for Fennville’s Mendoza family in the 5K. Luis, 17, and

Photo by Scott Sullivan

Dillon Smith drew attention by running 1:20:42 at age 13.

Kyle Morrison, 28, of Holland led wireto-wire in the 15K, whose new course — starting in downtown Douglas, looping through the Ox-Bow art school campus and climbing 302 new steps to Mt. Baldhead’s summit — won glowing reviews, crossing in 59 minutes, 11 seconds.

Men’s 15K winner Kyle Morrison gulps water at the top of the steps.

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Red October Run, Wayne

Red-Letter Day for 20th Red October Run

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Brown said. “It’s very well-organized and the course is flat. Now, if we WAYNE (10/2/20) — could just dial in The Red October ideal weather. There Run celebrated its was a lot of wind on 20th anniversary with that final backa record turnout of stretch. But everyone 1,161 runners despite has to deal with the a cool, rainy day. wind.” “We did everyCook said she thing we could to let finds the 5K inviting. people know that it “I’ve run a lot of was our 20th anniverraces,” she said, “but sary,” said Cynthia not that one. One of Cook, race director these days I’m going from its incepto sneak into it.” The tion. “Along with our Red October Run, 20th anniversary presented by long-sleeved t-shirt. Oakwood Annapolis we gave out running Hospital, included a gloves with Red Vince Bedard led the 10K from start to finish. 5K walk won by October artwork to Richard Huber, 54, the first 750 regisyear.” of Montrose (27:54) and Denise Smith, 39, of trants. Plus everyone who ran this year got a “I was a little faster last year,” said Allen Park (31:41). It also included a Junior medal.” Brown of his effort, “but I was a little October Run for kids 12 and under. With better weather, the event may have younger last year too.” For complete results, go to topped its previous record of 824 runners by Brown might have won his first Red www.gaultracemanagement.com. For more even more. October Run had he not invited Smith to join information about the event, visit “In our 20 years, we’ve seen everything him. But he didn’t regret. www.oakwood.org/redoctoberrun. from sideways rain to snow to slush.” said Cook. “We’ve had temperatures well over 80 “I’d recommend this race to anybody,” - MR and gorgeous weather. “Today was pretty typical: misty and drizzly with some wind. Runners didn’t mind the rain because it was fairly light.” Vince Bechard, 22, of Dearborn thrived on the conditions. The former Wayne State University star ran away with the 10K in 33:52, nearly five minutes ahead of Matt Sikora, 37, of Harper Woods (37:32). Craig Dolecki, 36, of Redford took third in 37:54. Dani Stienbacher, 25, of Ann Arbor won the women’s 10K in 42:37. Next came Kathryn Tuomi, 23, of Livonia (44:27) and Ashley Unger, 24, of Trenton (45:44). The 5K was tighter, with Megan Wilson, 20, of Livonia (22:52) edging Alexa Kelser, 9, of Holly (22:58) for the women’s title. Naomi Toben, 33, of Milan finished right behind in 23:01. For the men, Gavin Smith, 33, of Northville beat his training partner, Victor Brown, 47, of Canton. Brown, who finished second last year to Ed McGovern, caught up to Smith at the two-mile mark. “We went back and forth for the next half-mile,” Smith said. “Then I Megan Wilson capDani Stienbacher won pulled away a little.” tured the women’s the 10K by almost 2 Gavin Smith won the Smith finished in 17:05, Brown 5K title. minutes. 5K in 17:05. 17:27. Another masters runner, Steven Harris, 44, of Hazel Park, took third in 17:56. Michigan Runner TV Smith was happy with his time. “It’s not a PR (16:52), but it’s the best I have done this http://michiganrunner.tv/2010redoctober/

Run at the Farm, Waterford

John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge, Milford

Youth Rule Run at the Farm By Charles Douglas McEwen

By Charles Douglas McEwen

WATERFORD (10/9/10) — Two 13year-olds named Sam won the fifth annual Run at the Farm, presented by Waterford Parks & Recreation at the Hess-Hathaway Farm Park.

MILFORD (9/18/10) — Matt Fecht poured it on in the rain to top Kyle Mena in the 27th annual John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge.

Samuel Albaugh of Waterford ran away with the men’s crown, while Samantha Allmacher of Macomb claimed the women’s title.

Simon said that he beat his brother out of the womb by two hours, but Sam usually beats him in cross country races. “I’d rate this course 7 out of 10 on a scale of hardness,” he said. “It has a really big hill in the woods that you repeat twice.” Samuel finished in 18:25, a PR, while Simon crossed in 21:40. In between them, John Tarkowski, 57, of Northville timed 20:10 and didn’t know what to make of the twins. “They looked a lot alike,” he said.

“It started raining at mile three,” said Fecht, 26, of Warren. “The (15K) course was a little hillier than I remember from last year” (when he placed second behind Nick Stanko). Fecht and Mena, 25, of Ypsilanti ran together for the first five miles of the Road Runners Clubs of American state-title race, presented by DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital. Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

“I love running this course,” said Albaugh, who also prevailed here last year. His identical twin brother Simon Albaugh placed third overall.

The Albaughs run for Mason Middle School in Waterford. Fellow MMS student Luke Peterson, 13, was fourth overall in 21:46.

Mena accelerated, then Fecht caught up and passed him at seven miles. “It was comfortable,” Mena said. “We were sharing the pace. He put a surge in at seven miles and I couldn’t keep up.” Fecht finished in 49:12, Mena 49:29. Eric Green, 42, of Pontiac was third overall for the third straight year and the masters champ in 51:55.

Samuel Albaugh ran away with the men’s crown.

The course was a double-loop on turf used by Waterford Mott and Kettering cross country teams. There was also a onemile run this year.

Bennett Prud’homme, 20, of Ann Arbor claimed the 5K in 17:06. Dominic Nicita, 46, of Brighton led the masters in 19:10 and Phil Leja, 58, of Milford the grand masters in 23:16. Mary Darazio, 42, of Whitmore Lake won the women’s 5K in 20:49. Janet Sawyer, 56, of Linden paced the masters (23:21) and Mary Krankel, 60, of Ann Arbor the grand masters (27:01).

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

“We had about 75 people run, which was a record,” said race director Laurie Soma. “We were hoping for 100 but couldn’t quite make it.”

Sara Vergote, 25, of Toledo won the women’s 15K in 56:00. “The course was incredibly challenging,” she said. “I had no idea it was going to be that hilly.”

Heather Dyc, 26, of Redford finished third in 1:00:59. Grand masters winners were Doug Kurtis, 58, of Northville (59:49) and Jackie Olsen, 57, of Riverview (1:26:54).

Next came Donna Olson, 60, of Canton (25:18) and Ashley Truan, 27, of Beverly Hills (25:36). “She (Truan) was ahead of me most of the way, but I passed her at the end,” said Olson, who got lost when she ran this race in 2008. “They had the course marked well this year,” she said.

“The rain helped,” Green said. “When it started, I started having better splits.”

Marybeth Reader, 41, of West Bloomfield was top master and second overall in 1:00:12. “The downhill start was kind of out of control,” she said. “My first couple splits were too fast for what I was trying to do today..”

Allmacher, who attends Shelby Junior High School, paced the women’s field in 23:58. “I felt good, except the hills were tough,” she said after her first race victory.

For complete results, go to www.runmichigan.com. - MR -

Fecht Tops Mena in Kensington Run through Rain

Proceeds from the Ann Arbor Track Club-sponsored Challenge went to the Wounded Warrior Project. For complete results, go to www.aatrackclub.org. - MR -

Samantha Allmacher won her first 5K race.

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv/2010kensington

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Playmakers Autumn Classic, East Lansing

Playmakers Classic Features Fundraising Zeal, Speed

By Katie Kelly-Noble

EAST LANSING (9/19/10) — Lake Lansing Park was full of opportunities with the Playmakers Autumn Classic 8K run and 2mile walk on tap.

The race was led by two runners not only ready for the 8K, but to attack fall marathons. Simon Ripis, 32, of Kenya won in 24:28, followed by Scott Schmick, 27, of Okemos in 24:44. “It was good. The course was nice. There was not a problem. I want to thank (the directors) for organizing the race,” said Ripis, who plans to compete in the Honolulu Marathon in December. Schmick said his goal is to run sub-2:19 at the USATF Men’s Marathon Championships in Minneapolis/St. Paul Oct. 3. Doing so would qualify him for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Jan. 14, 2012, in Houston.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The annual race paired with Special Olympics Michigan to create a unique experience for all involved.

Runners enjoy the scenery of Lake Lansing Park “It went all right,” Schmick said. “I haven’t done a whole lot of 8K training, but it is a nice course. (Ripis) took the lead right away. I trailed and couldn’t really make up any ground.” Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Titus Laroupe, 17, of Kenya took third in 25:36. Ripis and Laroupe both currently train in Lansing. Lanni Marchant, 26, of Okemos grabbed an easy win for the women in 27:35 and placed 15th overall. The Playmakers Elite racing team member said she had raced often in the last few weeks, but her legs felt good on the local roads.

Lanni Marchant grabbed an easy win for the women in 27:35. 34

“I tried to keep it as even as I could,” Marchant said. “I was out here for a fun run. I raced on Friday and did a half-marathon last Sunday, so I had a busy week — but I love racing in the events Playmakers puts on.” Lisa Starks, 35, of Lansing was a distant second in 31:35, followed by Shannon

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Audretsch, 26, of Okemos in 32:04. A noncompetitive 2-mile walk for Special Olympians followed the 8K start. Entrants collected pledges to benefit Special Olympics Michigan. “Fundraising this year was awesome,” said Val Suszko, SOM coordinator of Area 8 fundraising and Holt Public Schools. “We had the athletes help (raise money) in order to do the walk. They were so gung-ho. We’ve had some athletes raise more than $1,000.” Race director Alicia Armstrong was pleased with the race participation and partnership between SOM and Playmakers. “The race grows every year and it’s wonderful to have people out and about on a beautiful Sunday morning,” said Armstrong. “The 2-mile walk was a wonderful addition. The 1-mile walk was too short last year; the Special Olympians told us they wanted more.”- MR -

November 2010 - February 2011 Event Calendar

November Sat., November 6 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

Gobble Gobble Gallup

Oak Park 8:30 am Oak Park Community Center 5KR (248) 691-7555 cspiller@ci.oak-park.mi.us www.ci.oak-park.mi.us

Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Race

Kalkaska 8:00 am 27MB (231) 922-5926 race@iceman.com www.iceman.com

Livonia Turkey Trot

Livonia 9:30 am Bicentennial Park 5KR/W (734) 466-2411 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 Michigan High School Athletic Association (517) 332-5046 mhsaa.com/sports/bxc/

Muskegon Turkey Trot 5K Trail Run

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

Randyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Race

Monclova, OH 10:00 am Monclova Primary School 10 MR, 4MR, 1M Kids (419) 356-0703 rbsmsimon@ roadrunner.com toledoroadrunners.org

St. Clair River Turkey Trot

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

Strong Body - Strong Mind 5K

Southfield 10:00 am Southfield High School 5KR/W (248) 796-1185 trophies111@yahoo.com runningfoundation.com/ Strong_Body_5k.html

Turkey Trot

Oxford 10:00 am Seymour Lake Township Park 5KR, 2KW (248) 628-1720 laurenjacobsen@ oxparkrec.org www.oxparkrec.org

Sun., November 7 Angus Glen Half Marathon

Markham, ON 8:00 am Angus Glen Golf Club 13.1MR/W, 10KR/W, 5KR/W (905) 887-0766 sara@raceworks.ca angusglenhalfmarathon.com

Grand Mere Grind

Stevensville 9:00 am Eastern Grand Mere State Park 10KR (269) 983-2822 grandmeresports@ comcast.net calstrider.org

ING New York City Marathon New York City 26.2 MR (212) 423.2249 www.nyrrc.org

10:50 am

Rochester Area Optimist Club Bloomer Boogie Rochester Hills 9:00 am Bloomer Park 5MR/W, 5KR/W, 1KFR

(248) 651-6267 president@ rochesterareaoptimists.org active.com

Souper Run - Dash for the Daily Bread

Adrian 9:00 am Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 602 N. Dean St. 10KR, 5KR, 1MW (517) 266-6344 runningwithes@tc3net.com runningwithes.com

Stay in the Shadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highland Trail Run

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

Turkey Trot Cross Country Run

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

Sat., November 13 ANG Road Hawg Classic

Battle Creek 9:00 am Battle Creek Air National Guard Base

10KR, 5KR/W (269) 969-3441 110.road.hawg@ang.af.mil greatlakeschampionchip .com

Glen Lake Turkey Trot

Maple City 10:00 am Glen Lake School 5KR, 1MFR (231) 334-3080 getfit@skiwalking.com

Hoffmaster Trail Run

Norton Shores 10:00 am P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Beach Parking Lot 4.3MR (232) 855-1282 runnersedge@verizon.net www.goracego.com

Last Chance Cross Country Race

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

Mid-Land Half Marathon / 10K/ 5K

Midland 10:00 am S. Ashman St./ Tridge 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR (989) 289-2361 michhalfseries@yahoo.com signmeup.com

Middleville Turkey Trail Trot Middleville 9:00 am Roxanne Potter (269) 795-5535

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

rpotter@tkschools.org tkschools.org/departments/ operations

NCAA Division I Cross Country Regionals Great Lakes

Rochester 11:00 am Oakland University 10KR, 6KR NCAA (765) 494-7747 ncaasports.com

NCAA Division III Cross Country Regionals Great Lakes 11:00 am Holland, MI West Ottawa Golf Club 8KR, 6KR Hope College http://ncaasports.com Men, 11:00; Women, Noon

NIRCAOpen & Alumni XC Race

Bloomington, IN 8:30 am Indiana Univ. X-C Course 5KR race.management@ clubrunning.org www.clubrunning.org

Original Ann Arbor Turkey Trot

Dexter 8:30 am Hudson Mills Metro Park 10KR/W, 5KR/W, 1MFR, 200mFR Champions for Charity (734) 213-1033 events@ champsforcharity.com champsforcharity.com Panther Fall Classic

Comstock Park 9:00 am 100 Betty Dr NE, Mill Creek Middle School 5KR/W Scott Taylor/ The Runnery (616) 785-7880 svirkstis@cppschools.com therunnery.com

Saginaw Veterans Memorial Plaza Veterans Day Run

Saginaw 10:00 am 3MR/W (989) 529-7592 colleen@universalsign.us

Scarecrow Sprint XC Race

Fremont, OH 10:00 am Walsh Park 5KR (419) 332-5906 mdglotz@fremontohio.org

St. Jerome School/PSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ohio/Michigan 5K

Arthritis

Walbridge, OH 9:00 am 5KR St. Jerome School (419) 699-3364 ttwil@embarqmail.com toledoroadrunners.org

The Alternate Half / 10K / 5K

Midland 10:00 am Pere Marquette Rail Trail 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR Ryan Hackett (989) 289-2361 shepherdboy818@ yahoo.com signmeup.com

USATF Michigan Association Open/Masters XC Championships Northville 9:00 am Cass Benton Park Jackie DeVose (313) 934-0126 jdevose@aol.com michigan.usatf.org

Kalamazoo 1:00 pm Celery Flats, Portage 5KR/W Samantha Mertens (248) 649-2891, x232 smertins@arthritis.org arthritis.org

Roseville Big Bird Run

Roseville 10:00 am 10KR, 1MR/W, 4KR Tony Lipinski (586) 445-5480 alipinski@rosevillemi.com

Tues., Nov. 16

5KR

USATF Michigan Association XC JO Championships

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

Woldumar Nature Center Run-a-Munk

Lansing 10:00 am Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road 10KR, 5KR/W (517) 627-1251 littlepup52@yahoo.com

Sun., November 14 The Burg Trail Run

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

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

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for

Wayne County Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk

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

Sat., November 20 Blitzen the Dotte

Wyandotte 9:00 am Wyandotte Boat Club 5KR/W (734) 365-4213 vnicholson@wowway.com www.everalracemgt.com

Grand Finale

Lansing 9:30 am Grand Woods Park 5KR, 5K/8K team (517) 755-8440 runningrev72@juno.com runningfoundation.com/ Grand_Finale.html

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

Bloomfield Hills 9 am Covington School 5KRW, kids run Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter (248) 269-2895 / (800) 968-3030 x232 smertins@arthritis.org www.2010jbrbloomfiel d.kintera.org

NCAA Division I I Cross Country Regionals Midwest Louisville, KY

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

10:30 am

Bellarmine University, E.P. Tom Sawyer Park 10KR, 6KR NCAA http://ncaasports.com

NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships Waverly, IA 10:30 am H.J. Max Championship Cross Country Course 8KR, 6KR Wartburg College ncaasports.com

One Hill of a Run - CORRECTED DATE Grand Rapids 9 am Union High School 10KR, 5KR Dan Droski (616) 260-2669 coachdroski @aim.com onehillofarun. mysite.com

Schrauger Memorial 5K

Lake Orion 10:00 am Lake Orion High School 5KR, 1MR/W (248) 762-6825 jakerunner27@gmail.com active.com

WMU Turkey Trot

Kalamazoo 8:30 am tentative time Student Recreation Center 5KR (269) 387-4732 amy.seth@wmich.edu wmich.edu/rec/

Sun, November 21 New Balance Girls on the Run

Ypsilanti 10:00 am Ellen Thompson Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital 5KR (734) 712-5640 danielle@ girlsontherunsemi.org www.girlsontherunsemi.org

Mon., Nov. 22 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships

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

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

Thurs., Nov. 25 1st Source Bank/ Niles/Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run Niles 9:00 am Niles/Buchanan YMCA 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 Recreational Center 5KR/W Sharon Suffolk (248) 437-4524 sharon@ goodboyevents.org goodboyevents.com

Dorks Brothers Turkey Trot

Alpena 9:00 am Great Lakes Maritime Museum-Heritage Trail 5KR, 1MR (989) 354-5634 smischley@charter.net www.thunderbaytrails.org

Fifth Third Bank Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Detroit 7:15 am Cobo Center 10KR, 5KR, 1MR The Parade Company (313) 247-4149 detroitturkeytrot.org Galloping Gobbler 4 Miler

Fort Wayne, IN 8:30 am Hutzell Athletic Center, Univ. of St. Francis Campus 4MR, 2MW (260) 436-4824 MitchVHarper@gmail.com FortWayneGobbler.com

Gazelle Sports Gobble Wobble

8:00 am Grand Rapids 3930 28th Street 4.1MR, 1MR (616) 940-9888 twebster@gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Gobbler Gallop Trail Run

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

KAR Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Prediction Run

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

Lansing Turkeyman Trot

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

racedirector@ toledoroadrunner.org toledoroadrunners.org

The Downtown Mile

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

Sun., November 28 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 Bob Blunk (248) 627-6619 ARPraces@aol.com

December Thurs, December 2 Run Through the Lights

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

Friday, December 3 Midnight Special 5K Race and Prediction Run

Whitehouse, OH 11:45 pm FallenTimbers MS 5KR/W (419) 360-3709 wearinthegreen17@aol.com toledoroadrunners.org

Sat., December 4 Christmas Stocking Run - See YMCA of Greater Flint 5K Santa Run

Dashing through the Snow

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

December Chill Adventure Race

Davison 9:00 am Genesee County Parks 7 hr sprint: canoeing, MB, orienteering, trekkking (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 4:00 pm Monument Park 5KR, 1MR Running Fit

(734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com runholiday5k.com

Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis Northville

Northville 9:00 am Northville Downs 5KRW, 1/4 M Snowman Shuffle Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter (248) 269-2895 / (800) 968-3030 x232 smertins@arthritis.org 2010jbrnorthville.kint era.org

NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships

Louisville, KY 10:30 am E.P.â&#x20AC;?Tom Sawyer St. Park 10KR, 6KR Bellarmine University (812) 237-4040 ncaasports.com

Reese Winter Road Race Series Reese

10:00 am

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

Gladstone 9:00 am Gladstone Senior Center 5KR/W (906) 428-4457 jpaul4213@sbcglobal.net

Fri., November 26 Fantasy 5K

Howell 6:00 pm 5KR (517) 546-3020 or (517) 464-7982 bpilot@cac.net howell.org

Sun., November 27 Holiday Hustle

Maumee, OH 5:15 pm Maumee Indoor Theater 5KR, 1.5MFW (419) 360-3709

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

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

YMCA of Greater Flint 5K Santa Run/Walk Flint 12:00 Noon Downtown YMCA, 411 East Third St. 5KR/W YMCA of Greater Flint (810) 232-0622 flintymca.org

Registration includes 5 piece Santa Suit

Sun., December 5 Road Racing at Metro Beach

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

Running of the Elves Rochester 12:00 pm 5KR/W info@the-spf.org

Sat., December 11 Candy Cane Run

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

Jingle Belle Women’s 5K Lansing 10:00 am Delta Township District Library 5KR/W (517) 490-2578 delta5k@dtdl.org www.dtdl.org

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@hask12.org runlikethedickens.com 38

USATF National Club Cross Country Championships

Charlotte 9:30 am McAlpine Park 10KR, 6KR usatf.org/events/2010/USAT FClubXCChampionships/in dex.asp

USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships

Hoover, AL 10:00 am Veterans Park usatf.org/events/2010/USAT FJuniorOlympicXCChampi onships/

Sun., December 12 Anchor Bay Jingle Bell Run New Baltimore 4:00 pm 5KR, 1MW (586) 725-4726 www.jinglebellrun.com

Tues., December 14 Grosse Pointe Christmas Light Run

Grosse Pointe 6:30 pm Grosse Pointe store 6MR (248) 616-9665 sshoudy@hotmail.com hansons-running.com

Sat., December 18 Bay Area Runners Club Holiday 5K Run/Walk

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

HUFF 50K Trail Run

Huntington, IN 8:00 am Kekionga Trail, J. Edward Roush Lake, Kil-So-Quah Campground 50 KR, 50K Relay, 11MR (260) 436-4824 MitchVHarper@gmail.com www.huff50k.com

Sun., December 26 Sault Ste. Marie, ON 9:30 am Algoma’s Water Tower Inn 10KR, 5KR/W, 2KR/W Sault Ste. Marie Stryders saultstryders.com

Hansons Group Run

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

Harold Webster Boxing Day 10 Mile Run Hamilton, ON 11:00 am YMCA 79 James Street South 10MR James Van Dyke (905) 971-6040

james_van_dyke@hotmail.com

boxingdayrun.ca

Fri., December 31

Fifth Third New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run/Walk Detroit 3:00 pm Belle Isle Park, 5KR/W, 1MR/W Jeanne Bocci (313) 886-5560 boccijeanne@ gmail.com belleislefunrun.com

New Year’s Resolution Run

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

January Sat., January 1 Gazelle Sports’ John Daley Memorial One One Run

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

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

Resolution 5K

Lansing 10:00 am Corner of St. Joe Highway

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

5KR and Broadbent (517) 882-3550 jlandskroener@oursaviorchurch.org runningfoundation.com/ Resolution5k.html

Sat., January 8 IDADARUN

6:30 pm Linden Linden Community Ed., 7201 Silver Lake Raod 8MR, 8M relay (810) 701-8625 dskinner@jackcooper.com

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Lake Buena Vista 6:30 am 13.1MR Jon Hughes disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

Sunday, January 9

Walt Disney World® Marathon

Lake Buena Vista 6:00 am 13.1MR Jon Hughes disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

Sat., January 15 Frosty 15K Freestyle Cross Country Ski Race

Brighton 10:30 am Huron Meadows Metropark15K X-C Ski; 5K X-C Ski (248) 535-9351 mike.muha@ nordicskiracer.com www.nordicskiracer.com

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

Winterlaufe

Frankenmuth 10:00 am Fischer Hall 8KR/W Lucas Hart (989) 860-3388 or (800) fun-town info@volkslaufe.org www.winterlaufe.org

Sat., February 12

Dances with Dirt - Green Swamp

Dade City, FL 50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR, relay Running Fit (734) 929-9027 events@runningfit.com danceswithdirt.com

Sat., February 26

Disney’s Royal Family 5K

Lake Buena Vista, FL 7:00 am Walt Disney World Epcot® Center; kids at Wide World of Sports 10 am 5KR, kids runs rundisney.com

Disney’s Princes Half Marathon Weekend: February 25-27, 2011

Sun., February 27

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon

Lake Buena Vista, FL 6:00 am Walt Disney World Epcot® Center 13.1MR, 5KR, kids runs rundisney.com

Disney’s Princes Half Marathon Weekend: February 25-27, 2011 - MR -

Running with Tom Henderson

Notes on the Run: Dogs

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

showing through the clouds by the time the seven-miler ended. I ran nearly three minutes slower than last year, but still faster than two years ago. Either way, I’ve learned from the dog that it’s the joy of the chase, not the numbers on the watch, that make racing so much fun. The two of us had a blast. My wife, Kathleen, and my blasts continued throughout the day and weekend, as we took in the winery tastings that are part of the Stompede. 1A. Gotta call the Tahqua 10K in August in the UP a tie with the Stompede. Both are ridiculously beautiful, and until you’ve run the Tahqua, it’s hard to imagine a much harder race than the Stompede, but this is. You can read more about it elsewhere in this issue.

Tom Henderson & Maddy run at the Tahqua 10K, 2010 By Tom Henderson

hat a grand summer it was! Lots of heat. Lots of sun. Lots of lakes warm enough to get into without heart attack or anguish. As I write this the first of October, it’s supposed to be near freezing tonight and cold and rainy tomorrow. As you read it, you might be looking out at early snowflakes coming down. So, here are highlights of a long, warm season of running, most of them race-related.

1. The Harvest Stompede in the Leelanau Peninsula. There I was at the finish area at Ciccone Vineyards, sharing a hard-earned cookie with the dog. I had a Michigan Runner shirt on, so it wasn’t surprising when two couples walked over and one of the men asked, “Do you write for Michigan Runner? I forget your name, but this must be Maddie.” Indeed. Maddie showed them her No. 1 trick: “Can you give me a whisper, girl?” She’ll give you anything for a cookie. The two couples had read about the Stompede last year in MR and decided to put it on their calendar. They loved it so much they vowed they’d run next year too. Every year, the race has had splendid weather. This year, not so much. But organizers still got lucky. It poured until a few minutes before blast-off, and blue skies were

Added fringe benefit? Kathleen, who for some reason was able to run more this year without pain than in recent years, got to do the 10K in 2010, instead of just waiting for me at the finish, and our 15-year-old grandson, Daron, who has run a few 5Ks over the years, ran all of it with her for his longest run ever. 3. Running to the top of Mt. Baldy on a rainy day in August. It’s a course Jeff Crumbaugh put together for the Keweenaw Trail Festival, running from the beach at Eagle Harbor to the top of the highest peak for miles. Nice thing about doing it in August is plenty of stops along the way for raspberries and thimbleberries. Incredibly tough 3.8 miles up. And a tricky descent, steep and covered in rocks and stones that act like ball bearings. 4. Taking Nate Skid, my young colleague, on his first tour of the Potawatomie Trail in May. He wanted a tune-up for his first halfmarathon, at Dexter-Ann Arbor, and nothing like a 15-miler on the Pot to get tuned, or trashed. 5. The Asparagus 5K in Empire May 15. Glorious early summer day, one of the quirkiest courses around, with a first mile that goes straight uphill and a finish on the beach at Lake Michigan. Nice to set a personal course record, to boot. 6. Any of the four or five times I ran my eight-mile route though Barton Nature Reserve and Bird Hills Park in Ann Arbor, with stops along the way for me and the dog to jump in the Huron River. Great ups and downs, perfect mix of wildflower meadows and deep forest.

7. Any of the 10- and 12-mile runs in the Sand Lakes Quiet Area northeast of Traverse City. Lots of lakes for the dog to get into. One perfect lake for me, the dumbly-named Lake One, with its surreal turquoise-green color, clear water, sandy beaches and thick woods and hills as a backdrop. 8. The Run for Shelter 10K at the end of April in Traverse City. Good cause, good course, fantastic last mile and a half, downhill on trails and through pastures. 9. The first annual Run for Fred 5K at Stony Creek Metro Park at the end of July. Nice cause, raising money to fight childhood cancer, and a cool hero, the race director’s young son, cancer survivor turned runner. 10. The Hartwick Pines Challenge, a stunning 7.2 miles through Michigan’s last stand of virgin pine. What a way to kick off October. If you haven’t run in this park just north of Grayling, you’re can’t imagine how cool it is. (Okay, I’m cheating. As I write this, the Challenge isn’t until tomorrow. But barring a car accident or earthquake in northern Michigan, this is a course that has to go into the top 10. I hate to leave it off just because I got my work done before I left.) Honorable mentions? Hot runs after work at Kensington, with a dive into the Huron River thrown in; jumping in the lake halfway through a four-mile trail workout at Stony Creek; running my favorite 4.5-mile loop through the woods from my cabin up north; the six-mile up-and-down jaunt on the Lake Ann pathway west of Traverse City, including a stretch along the scenic Platte River; four-mile runs on lunch hour at Belle Isle, with a dive into the river just before the last mile to the car. Wait, let’s reorder things. The real No. 1? Having learned to love running, again, from my dog. To enjoy its essence, to not look at is as a task to be finished, or a chore I really ought to do. To enjoy the routine runs and to savor, to love, racing the way I used to love it. To love it despite no hope of PRs, despite running times that once would have been depressing, despite the extra poundage jiggling around. Thanks, Mad Dog. Thanks for that wonderfully joyous look on your face when we get to a race start and you see people pinning their bib numbers on. Thanks for the wildly ecstatic howling you can’t repress when you realize the race is about to begin. Thanks for that smile on your face as we pass a runner and you give them a look that says: Gotcha. - MR -

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Oct. 10

Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Labor Day Bridge Run, Sept. 6.

Photos by Victah Sailer / photorun.net

Desi Davila talks to the press after she finished 4th, 1st American, in 2:26:20

Jason Hartmann finished 8th, 1st American, in 2:11:06.

Spartan Invitational East Lansing, Sept. 17

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Patrick Grosskopf leads the college open race at the Spartan Invitational. 40

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Michigan Runner - November / December 2010

Bobby Crim and Governor Jennifer Granholm finish the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Labor Day Bridge Run.

Capital City River Run, Lansing, Sept. 26

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The kids run and balloons add to the festive atmosphere of the Capital City River Run Half-marathon and 5K.