Michigan Running News, January 5, 2011

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January 5, 2011

Chevron Houston Marathon

Volume 10, Number 16

• Houston, Texas • January 30, 2011 • 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5K, kids run • Web: http://chevronhoustonmarathon.com

• •

May 15, 2011 Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids' Run • Web: http://clevelandmarathon.com • Video: http://glsp.com/cleveland_marathon/

Photo © Art McCafferty

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon

Fifth Third Bank New Years Eve One Mile Run In This Issue: __/

Fifth Third Bank New Years Eve Family Fun Run & Walk

Crim Festival of Races • • • • •

Flint, Michigan August 27, 2011 35th Anniversary Web: http://crim.org Video: http://glsp.com/crim/

Michigan Runner Jan. / Feb. 2011 On sale at local running stores

Michigan Runner TV:

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Eric Green: Michigan Runner of the Year

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Relay Fred Vanhala Retires from Front Line Racing Team

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Plouff Runs Twice Around the Earth

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Great Performances - Desi Davila Sets Course Record in Midnight Run, NYC

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Running Network's Mr. Ubiquitous - SUN VALLEY, IDAHO

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Race Calendar - January - February 2011

__/__/__/__/__/__/___/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/__/ __/__/ To subscribe, please visit http://lyris.dundee.net/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=michiganrunningnews Michigan Runner magazine Editor: Scott Sullivan Michigan Running News Editor: Jennie McCafferty =========================================================== Michigan Runner TV: Fifth Third Bank New Years Eve Family Fun Run & Walk =========================================================== For 41 years, Jeanne Bocci has welcomed runners and walkers for the run/walk she started on Belle Isle. This New Year's Eve saw runners and walkers, some representing the third generation, assemble for the New Years Eve tradition, the Fifth Third Bank New Year's Eve Family Fun Run and Walk.

Michigan Runner TV's coverage includes interviews with winners Luke Humphrey and Dot McMahan. http://michiganrunner.tv/2010_53newyearseve/ =============================== Eric Green: Michigan Runner of the Year =============================== "Eric was born and built to run," says Fred Vanhala. "He has never been injured and knows what to do to get himself ready at any distance." In the January/February, 2011 issue of the Michigan Runner magazine, Charles Douglas McEwen writes the profile of Eric Green, 2010 Michigan Runner Runner of the Year.

More runners profiled in the most recent issue are Female Runner of the Year - Jackie Rzepecki, by Charles Douglas McEwen Masters Runner of the Year - Paul Aufdemberge, by Daniel G. Kelsey Masters Runner of the Year - Lisa Veneziano, by Bill Khan Senior Runner of the Year - J.C. Collins, by Ron Marinucci Senior Runner of the Year - Peggy Zeeb, by Daniel G. Kelsey Contributor of the Year - Chuck Block, by Ron Marinucci In addition to Runner of the Year profiles, the Jan/Feb 2011 issue features columns by Scott Sullivan, Scott Hubbard, Tom Henderson, Daniel G. Kelsey and Ian Forsyth, Riley McLincha's "Gone Fishing with Bill Rodgers, and Ron Marinucci's review of John L. Parker, Jr's Again to Carthage.

Michigan Runner magazine is on sale at local running stores. ============================================ Relay Fred Vanhala Retires from Front Line Racing Team ============================================ Earlier this week we were sad to get the following message from "Relay" Fred Vanhala:

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"Dear Front Line Racing Team Runners and Friends: The Front Line Racing Team began in June of 1999 at the Park Colony Club on Goddard Road in Allen Park when I asked Marv Phelps if he wanted to run on a marathon relay team. I am happy to say the team will continue indefinitely, though I will no longer be heading up the team. It is great to have a super group of Directors that will keep the team moving: Angela Matthews, Eric Green, Ron Buchanan, Matt Yacoub and Theresa Padilla. Eric will assume the role of President of the Team with Ron taking on the VP role.

I'll do a little behind the scenes stuff in making the transition and remain as the Treasurer for a while and probably continue to keep track of some of the team records and pass those on to Eric as necessary.

I never intended for this team to last beyond the 1999 Detroit Free Press Marathon. But, here it is 2011 and 100 victories later. That has been a ton of work!

Recently, I've become the co-owner of Paul Davis Emergency Services Downriver and also of Southern Wayne County. We'll be open for business on March 1, 2011. Besides needing to put 100% of my efforts into marketing the business; I have two elderly parents that need lots of assistance. The only proper thing to do is to give them all the time and help that I can.

Further, my wife Elaine has been more than understanding all these years and she shouldn't have to put up with me dealing with more than one obsession at a time. I can't believe most non-running women would have ever put up with me this last decade.

Heading up the Front LIne Racing Team has been a wonderful and very rewarding experience. I've met some great people that I never would have met and had some experiences that I never would have dreamed of.

I loved going to the USATF indoor track meets and bumping into Stacy Dragila and Christian Cantwell. It was very cool to be in Indianapolis and have Bob Kennedy come up to me and ask if our team was in the wrong box (no we weren't) and have our women's team line up next to Shalane Flanagan. And be part of an awards ceremony that included Alan Webb.

I loved our competition against the teams Pete Magill was heading up in the cross country club nationals; SoCal Pete loved it too. I'll have fond memories of Laura Murphy, Laurie Decker, Krys Brish, Peggy Zeeb, and Julie Winter battling it out with Club Northwest and upsetting them for the title in West Chester.

And, it has been a true pleasure marevling at Doug Goodhue and Wally Herala and the other 60+ guys as they've shown they are the best in the USA over the last four years. How do they still run so fast?

I had the opportunity to fix last minute problems (right Julie?, right Andrea?) and had the scare of thinking I had lost our Great Lakes Relay team's money ($1500) within a couple hours (I hadn't). I learned to also check the road closings in advance (Pittsburgh Marathon) so I wouldn't have to be driving up the railroad tracks trying to get around road blockades to get our team's to their exchange zones.

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I was honored to be the guest of Paul Aufdemberge and his family at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Hillsdale College. The Class of Michigan Running.

I got a real kick out of Sharon Dickie Thompson, Lindsey Scherf, Andrea Pomaranski, and Donna Palisca running for us if only for one or two races. It is hard to keep the very fastest women on the team.

I loved Carter Sherline's picture of Laura Ankrum in a Front Line singlet in Michigan Runner. That was the coolest picture ever.

The reaction I got from Bill Rodgers when I told him Mike Scannell runs for Front Line was priceless.

"Scannell, I hate that guy." (You'll have to ask Mike why.)

I always looked forward to the Christmas card from the Cornerstone University Track Team. Who gets cards from college track teams?

Seeing Tracy Lokken win that race out in San Franscisco and lead the men's team to victory will be something I'll remember vivedly. The story of the race given by Tracy afterwards was even better.

I liked being able to give Tom Preiss the anchor leg so many years in a row in Detroit. I also liked that Ron Buchanan and Todd Kelly were able to get on so many winning teams.

It was great to see Steve Shablin at the Free Press Marathon in October. I've missed his participation these last few years.

It was neat to have so many house guests; Laurie and Kevin, and Dave, and Mark, and Rick, and Josh and others.

I also liked having people with the phenomenal speed of Josh Strycker and Bill Monnett representing the team and will always remember Bill eating the Mondo in Boston on his 2nd lap around. It made me hate the Greater Boston Track Club, the team that tripped Bill up. (Take that, Bill Rodgers.)

Watching Paul Koutz warm up prior to the 400 hurdles always told me that he was on a different level as an athlete.

I also enjoyed seeing Mike Capraro racing for the pancakes at the Winterfest Run. Another classy guy that helped us so much in the early years and then again in Spokane.

I thank Tony Mifsud for always being a huge team supporter.

I love the runners that do whatever they can do to try to get teams together. Recently that would be people like Dave Bussard, JC Collins, Peggy Zeeb, and Tamara Steil. It doesn't always work, but I appreciate the efforts.

Matt Yacoub has been a rock through all these years and I've been so happy to have Eric Green embrace the team concept.

Angela Matthews, we need to find you an appropriate singlet for running the steeplechase. Katie

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Singer, thanks for bringing so many Detroit runners on board!

Theresa, thank you for all the behind the scenes stuff you've taken on - most people don't have a clue as to what work you've done. Marv, thanks for handling the website, and it is now so sad to have you living in Vegas. Anthony Targan - thanks for the great write-ups, even though no one ever printed them.

If I keep this up, I'll never have the chance to say good-bye. Of course the proper cliche' would be to say this has been a great run - but that would not be at all sufficient to express my gratitude to all of you for making this Team such a big part of this washed up runner's life.

Stay healthy and keep running!"

Fred Vanhala =========================== Plouff Runs Twice Around the Earth =========================== Harry Plouff has 53,869 reasons to celebrate: "The distance around the earth is around 25,000 miles. Harry Plouff, of the Mt. Pleasant Striders, has run over 50,000 miles in the last 30 years, twice the distance around the earth."

Year Miles 1981 273 1982 1450 1983 1400 1984 1466 1985 1371 1986 1528 1987 1505 1988 1640 1989 1511 1990 1267 1991 1461 1992 1263 1993 1357 1994 1563 1995 1738 1996 1850 1997 2200 1998 1731 1999 1649 2000 1604 2001 1725 2002 1892 2003 2565 2004 3003 2005 2670 2006 2631

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2007 2008 2009 2010

2408 2400 2275 2473 _______ 53869

============================================================ Great Performances - Desi Davila Sets Course Record in Midnight Run, NYC ============================================================ The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is one of America's classic races. Not far from the televised hoopla of Times Square, 4,795 runners started the 4 mile race through Central Park at Midnight. Desi Davila of Hansons-Brooks not only won the 2011 edition of the race in 20:51, but she also set a new course record. David Jankowski, now of ZAP Fitness and formerly a Hansons' runner, finished 2nd in 18:12. =========================================================== Running Network's Mr. Ubiquitous - SUN VALLEY, IDAHO (Dec. 25-31, 2010) =========================================================== Mr. Ubiquitous, aka Gary Morgan, reports: "Christmas Day I flew to Boise Idaho, with a lay over in Salt Lake, then a 140 mile drive through some twisting, turning, mountainous roads to arrive at America’s first ski resort: Sun Valley, Idaho. Sun Valley was founded in 1936 and had the first chair lift in 1937. As I drove into the Valley it was awe-inspiring to see it again after a 27 year absence. It brought back a lot of memories as I remember driving here from Michigan during the Christmas holiday with two of my buddies. We had a riot skiing here back then. It's a different era and a little different ski area now. It was a party town back then with stars and young people. Now it's a family town with a lot of youngsters on the slopes with ski instructors. We mature folks are not as reckless as we once were.

When I got into town I stayed with some fellow runners whom I met this year at the New York City Marathon. A husband, wife and four kids are a very athletic family. At Sun Valley, everyone's a skier, runner or skater. You don't live in this town unless you're an outdoor fitness enthusiast.

Day after Christmas I rented some cross country ski gear and hit the trails. I skied on the perfectly groomed Sawtooth National Recreational Area trail. It was a beautiful 30 degree day and I could see all the mountains around me. It was a great day to ski 20 kilometers with two women and two dogs.

Everyone has a dog in Sun Valley. I walked around the town of Ketchum where Sun Valley is located.

Some of the original buildings from the mining era of the 1880's are still in use. They have kept the small town charm alive in this part of America.

The next day I went up in the hills to do some more cross country skiing and to a place called Prairie Hills. It was tough, hilly and cold that morning. A couple of inches of snow had fallen and the sun was shining on it. It was beautiful there. I was gasping for air every pole I planted to move ahead. Once I got over the hard hills it was a fun 30k day of skiing. The next day I skied at Sun Valley Nordic Lodge, which is the Sun Valley golf course. The Lodge is fantastic for skiing-- to be expected since this is their golfing center. There have been plenty of big-time golfers here over the years. The ski trails go well beyond the golf course property and it's another challenging day of skiing. As I looked up one hill I saw an old chair lift. I asked my host about it and they said "It was the original chair lift from 1937".

Of course that hill or chair lift isn't being used now. That afternoon at Dollar Mountain I tried my hand

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at downhill skiing which I haven't done in 8 years. It's a bunny hill at 628 feet of downhill skiing capacity and a great beginner hill when you haven't been skiing in a few years. They also have a tubing hill. It's a trip watching everyone go down that spot. This was the original mountain where they started the ski resort. I felt like my legs would be ready for the big mountain tomorrow.

That evening I went over to the world famous Sun Valley Lodge, where the rich, famous and common people have stayed over the years. On the walls are pictures of movie stars, Olympians, and other notable people who have made Sun Valley famous. Every lodge in Sun Valley has pictures in it. It's really cool and nice they haven't forgot their past here. The Lodge was beautiful and grand with a skating rink in the back where they often have shows. Christmas eve there was a show with 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek performing with local skaters to celebrate the holidays and Sun Valley’s 75th anniversary. I heard it was a fantastic show as my host's daughter was skating in the show.

The next morning I was up early as it had snowed 12 inches and it was going to be a powder day at Mt Baldy, Sun Valleys premier mountain. Everyone was there to ski at 8:30 and it was a long wait for the first chair lift. I finally got on the lift and made it up to the area where I wanted to ski. It was fantastic skiing with all that fresh snow plus the scenery was phenomenal. On top of the mountain was another awesome lodge. Everything here is done right. It was a great day of skiing and to top it off there was an Art Walk in the city that evening. Lot's of unique artists live in this town.

My last day here I went to Galena Lodge up in the mountains where there are more great trails to ski on. This is where they start the Boulder Mountain 30K cross country ski race. This year will be the 32nd edition of this event. Based on the part of the trail I skied on, it's a challenging race that's filled with scenery. It's an old lodge with a ski shop and a restaurant that serves tasty food after a hard day of skiing.

I had a fantastic time here at Sun Valley and I would tell everyone to come here. I hear summer is even better with lot's of activities along with a half marathon June 4th. This is a place you won't forget."

-- Gary Morgan ================================ Race Calendar - January - February 2011 ================================ Wednesday, January 5, 2011 * Hanson’s Coaching Services Half Marathon Training Program, Royal Oak, 7:00 pm, Hansons Running Shop, http://hansonscoachingservices.com * Hanson’s Coaching Services Marathon Training Program, Royal Oak, 7:00 pm, Hansons Running Shop, http://hansonscoachingservices.com

Thursday, January 6, 2011 * Hanson’s Coaching Services Beginning Runner I Program, Royal Oak, 7:00 pm, Hansons Running Shop, http://hansonscoachingservices.com * Hanson’s Coaching Services Beginning Runner 2 Program, Royal Oak, 7:00 pm, Hansons Running Shop, http://hansonscoachingservices.com

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Friday, January 7, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Ann Arbor, 6:00 pm, University of Michigan, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series - tentative,m Warren, 4:30 pm, Macomb Community College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Saturday, January 8, 2011 * Eastern Michigan Invitational, Ypsilanti, Bowen Field House, Eastern Michigan University, track & field, http://directathletics.com/meets/track/18044.html * EMU Winter Eagle HS Invitational, Ypsilanti, 3:00 pm, Bowen Field House, Eastern Michigan University, hs track & field, http://mi.milesplit.com/meets/82750 * Great Lakes Indoor Series, Ypsilanti, 5:00 pm, Eastern Michigan University, track & field meet, http://freewebs.com/greatlakesindoorseries * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Allendale, Noon, Grand Valley State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org * Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Orlando, 6:30 am, 13.1MR, http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com Sunday, January 9, 2011 * Walt Disney World Marathon, Orlando, 6:00 am, 26.2MR, http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com Friday, January 14, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Warren, 4:30 pm, Macomb Community College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Saturday, January 15, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Allendale, Noon, Grand Valley State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Saginaw, Saginaw Valley State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Monday, January 17, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, East Lansing, Michigan State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Tuesday, January 18, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Mt. Pleasant, 5:00 pm, Central Michigan University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp ================================ Race Calendar - January - February 2011 ================================ Thursday, January 20, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Ann Arbor, 6:00 pm, University of Michigan, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Friday, January 21, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Warren, 4:30 pm, Macomb Community College, hs track & field,

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http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Saturday, January 22, 2011 * Bigfoot Snowshoe Race, Traverse City, 9:00 am, Timber Ridge Campground, 10K, 5K snowshoe races, http://runsnow.com * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Allendale, Noon, Grand Valley, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Albion, Albion College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Wednesday, January 26, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Saline, 6:30 pm, Saline Middle School, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org Friday, January 28, 2011 * Great Lakes Indoor Series, Saginaw, 5:00 pm, Saginaw Valley State University, track & field meet, http://freewebs.com/greatlakesindoorseries Saturday, January 29, 2011 * Michigan indoor Track Series, Albion, 10:00 am, Albion College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Saginaw, Saginaw Valley Staste University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Sunday, January 30, 2011 * Chevron Houston Marathon, Houston, 7:45 am, 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 5K, kids run, http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com Friday, February 4, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Ann Arbor, 6:00 pm, University of Michigan, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Saturday, February 5, 2011 * SnowBusters Borgess Run Camp, Kalamazoo, 7:30 am, Borgess Health and Fitness Center, Training for Borgess races, http://borgessruncamp.com * Tackle the Tower Stair Climb, Cleveland, 8:45 am, Center Court of the Galleria & Tower at Erieview, 38 flight R/W, http://www.hermescleveland.com * USA Cross Country Championships, San Diego, 9:00 am, Mission Bay Park, 6KR, 8KR, 12KR, USATF, http://usatf.org/events/2011/USAXCChampionships/ * White Pine Stampede, Mancelona, 9:00 am, Mancelona High School / Shanty Creek, 10K / 20K / 50K ski classic & freestyle, http://whitepinestampede.org * Winterlaufe, Frankenmuth, 10:00 am, Fischer Hall, 8KR/W, http://www.winterlaufe.org Sunday, February 6, 2011 * Super 5K Novi, 9:00 am, Novi Town Center, 5KR, http://runsuperbowl.com Thursday, February 10, 2011 * Howell Splash n’ Dash Indoor Tri, Howell, 9:00 am, Howell Area Aquatic Center, triathlon: 20 minS/

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20 minB/ 20 minR, http://howellrecreation.org/aquatic_special_events.html * Tahquamenon Snowshoe Race, Paradise, Upper Tahquamenon Falls, 20K, 10K, 5K, kids snowshoe, http://greatlakesendurance.com Friday, February 11, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Warren, 4:30 pm, Macomb Community College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Albion, Albion College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Saginaw, Saginaw Valley State University, hs track & field - distance fest, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Saturday, February 12, 2011 * Dances with Dirt - Green Swamp, Dade City, FL, 50MR, 50KR, 26.2MR, 13.1MR, relay, http://danceswithdirt.com * Great Lakes Indoor Series, Allendale, 5:00 pm, Grand Valley State University, track & field meet, http://freewebs.com/greatlakesindoorseries/ * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Saginaw, Saginaw Valley State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Winter Witch's Hat Run, South Lyon, 9:00 am, South Lyon High School, 5KR/W, 1 MFR, http://slxc.com/witch Tuesday, February 15, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Mt. Pleasant St., 5:00 pm, Central Michigan University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Thursday, February 17, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Ann Arbor, 6:00 pm, University of Michigan, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Friday, February 18, 2011 * Great Lakes Indoor Series, Mt. Pleasant, 5:00 pm, Central Michigan University, track & field meet, http://freewebs.com/greatlakesindoorseries * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Warren, 4:30 pm, Macomb Community College, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Saturday, February 19, 2011 * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Allendale, 10:30 am, Grand Valley State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * Michigan Indoor Track Series, Saginaw, Saginaw Valley State University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp Friday, February 25, 2011 * Mid American Conference Indoor Championships, Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green University, track & field meet, http://mac-sports.com Saturday, February 26, 2011 * Big Ten Indoor Championships - Men, Champaign, IL, University of Illinois, track & field meet,

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http://bigten.cstv.com * Big Ten Indoor Championships - Women, West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University, track & field meet, http://bigten.cstv.com * Michigan Indoor Track Series - State Championship, Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University, hs track & field, http://mitstrack.org/Schedule.asp * USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Albuquerque, NM, track & field meet http://www.usatf.org/calendars/ Sunday, February 27, 2011 * Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 6:00 am, Walt Disney World Epcot Center, 13.1MR, 5KR, kids runs, http://rundisney.com

******* Calendar entries are a value-added service for Michigan Runner clients. Please contact Art McCafferty: artmccaf@glsp.com if you're interested.

--------------------------------------------------------*Michigan Running News is published weekly. Please feel free to pass this email on to anyone you think might be interested. * To reply, please send email to jennie@glsp.com. * To unsubscribe, please send email to leave-23206900-64315194G@lyris.dundee.net Jennie McCafferty, Online Editor, Michigan Runner Michigan Runner Archives: Michigan Running News - http://michiganrunner.net/news/ Michigan Runner Magazine - http://michiganrunner.com/#pastissues Michigan Runner Television - http://michiganrunner.tv/archives.

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