Race directors, Lisa Taylor and Jen Teeples, welcomed over 300 runners and walkers to the Remembrance Run/Walk Oct 6, 2019, at Timber Ridge, near Traverse City, Timed and Untimed. The event, presented by the Traverse City Track Club, is an opportunity to remember friends and family who lost the battle to cancer, who have beaten cancer or are currently facing cancer. This race was truly a “winners” race. Most of the entrants were running in memory or in honor of a cancer victim. And they were all “winners”.
The Remembrance Run website says: “It’s the 26th Anniversary of the Traverse City Track Club’s Remembrance Run! Join us on the beautiful Pere Marquette State Forest Trails at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City for our 5K Run or 1 Mile fall color “tour”. The Remembrance Run is a 5K Run/Walk event to enjoy the outdoors, being active and to recognize the many special friends and family we remember and celebrate who have been challenged with cancer. Prizes were awarded to top 3 Male and Female in the 5K timed event in these categories: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 -79 and 80 & over.
Participation in this event by the many runners and walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners enables the Traverse City Traverse Club to make a large contribution each year to the Women’s Cancer Fund. To date, this total has added up to $250,000 and has helped many women in our community who are not only challenged with breast cancer, but are also in need of extra financial assistance for non-medical aspects of their care. For this reason in 1997, we were integral in helping Munson Healthcare Foundation create the Women’s Cancer Fund. Like all Traverse City Track Club events, the Remembrance Run offers a great active outdoor running and walking experience.”
Presented by the Traverse City Track Club, the race was sponsored by Serra Automotive, Timber Ridge Resort, Hagerty Insurance, Bill Marsh Automotive, Grand Traverse Women Magazine and GoGo Squeeze. Results can be found at this link; Remembrance Run 2019 Results .
Delicious snacks were available at the end of the race from Sharon Robb-Anster of North Bay Produce, who provided runners with health shakes, GoGo Squeeze Representative, Amy Fritz, handed out samples of flavored Apple Sauce, Yogurt, and a new vegetable/fruit snack, Ty Kruszka, of WLDR Radio presented special goodies and broadcasts from the race, Hannah Cumler, of channel 7 & 4 TV, broadcast from the race and ran the race in memory of relatives. Shorts Brewery passed out samples of a new product, Caleb Hippensteel, of the Traverse City West High School Football team and the West Orchestra and Tylor Bristol, also from the West football team and the West choir, helped park cars and led many other members of the football team at the race start in a rousing version of the National Anthem.
Rebecca Gallegos, RN at Munson Medical Center Cowell Family Cancer Center, is the manager for ambulatory services and had a display table inside the lodge. Rebecca had important words for readers of this article as follows; “Getting a cancer diagnosis is earth shaking, but there is an army of people, friends, family, and health care workers, who are going to come alongside you. No one fights alone.” Jill Slagel, PT, is director of rehabilitation and Kelley Nash, PT, both had a demo table, representing a partnership with Mary Free Bed Hospital of Grand Rapids with Munson. They were ably assisted by Eli and Xander, Mary’s children. Nancy Dow, had a display of free gifts for runners to carry in the race in memory of her daughter’s friend, Erin Banton, who passed too soon from cancer. Nancy says; “Love always wins”. Karen Paulosky and Aric Browning represented the Cowell Family Cancer Center and gave demos of some of the Integrative Therapies available at Munson Hospital. In this case, the demos were for the practice of “Healing Touch”. The Munson brochure says; “Healing Touch is a bio field that is an energy based approach to health and healing”. My wife, Dr Sally Littleton, PhD, is a retired psychotherapist and current Reiki Master practitioner and teacher. Reiki is similar to Healing Touch, working with energy to effect emotional and physical balance.
Among several teams raising funds to assist those with cancer, was Team Amelia, a large group wearing matching “Team Amelia” Tee shirts and were representing Northwoods OB/gyn. Lisa Beeker, team leader said: “The Remembrance Run is an event that inspires individuals to run for purpose and for community awareness.” In addition to remembering “Amelia”, each team member wore a bib naming someone they had lost or was currently fighting cancer.
Most of the runners and volunteers at the Remembrance Run are “winners” for having lost someone or are currently fighting cancer. Following are some of the “winners” I spoke with. LuAnn Beach, was a runner in my early days of running. Today, LuAnn, a breast Cancer survivor herself, volunteered by passing out snacks at the end of the race. LuAnn has volunteered for this race for over 20 years. Keith Revolt is another “winner” who participated in the event. While Keith’s wife, Michelle, was winning her age group, Keith was limited to walking the course due to painful Planter’s Fasciitis that Keith expects to last several months. What is more significant, Keith expects a November surgery to correct a bout with prostate cancer. Fortunately, the prostate cancer has not spread to other organs. As a result, Keith expects a full recovery at which time Keith will once again beat my pants off. I can’t wait for you to beat me again, Keith. Pastor Tim Manzer walked the race. Tim is bothered by a sore hip resulting from his near fatal head-on motorcycle accident from several years ago. Tim, it is amazing you have come back to running as much as you have after that horrific accident. Tim walked the Remembrance Run in honor of friends who suffered cancer; Bev Iott, Rene’ Elder and pastor’s wife, Megan Brower. Too many friends, Tim. Andy Micham, 74, my running buddy of many years ago, from Frankfort, ran along with Tim, to support the loss of Barb Micham and Ben Stratton. It was great to see that Andy is still hoofin’ it. Rhonda Workman, of Mesick, director of the Mesick Mushroom Festival 5K, beat me thoroughly today. The Remembrance Run was Rhonda’s turn to beat me. Next time, maybe it will be my turn to beat Rhonda. Rhonda was running in memory of her dad, two brother-in-laws, several cousins, and multiple friends. Rhonda is a veteran. Thank you for your service, Rhonda. Elizabeth Paulson, 77, from Cadillac, burned the course in a very nice time and won her age group. Bill Gittlen, 70, of TC, ran the race and won his age group to support the cause. Bill is a retired emergency room physician and knows the value of a good exercise program. Bill was also running in honor of his departed sister-in-law, who passed at age 54 and his nephew who died at age 41. Gerald Seiggren, 81, of TC, had a sister who died of cancer. Gerald won his age group. Mark Girrdis, who works for North Bay Produce, walked the course in memory of his mom and wife. Mark says “cancer sucks.” And it does, Mark. Brian Klampp, also of North Bay Produce, was honoring his sister-in-law, Paula Little, who is a breast cancer survivor. I ran much of the race with Jenny and Mike Leddy, 27 and 31. We had fun challenging ourselves, but eventually, beauty prevailed and I passed them. J This race was their first 5K. The hope is the Leddy’s run many more. Dan Lantis of Kalkaska was running in memory of his wife Tina, who passed on nine years ago. Thank you, Dan, for running with the American flag.
Everyone running or walking today in the Remembrance Run is a winner and shared pleasant memories of loved ones lost or loved ones who beat cancer. Race directors, Jen Teeples and Lisa Taylor hope you will join them and the Traverse City Track Club at next year’s Remembrance Run. You will feel better for the effort. Remember to ask your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Your author, Mickey Fivenson, age 77, of Traverse City, lost over 100 pounds and has trained 150,000 miles in 48 years of running. He completed 60 marathons (3:01 PR) and holds a marathon world record with his sons, Zack and Adam. Mickey is the former director of the National Cherry Festival Runs, which were ranked in the top 25 races, nationally. Mickey’s doctors credit running toward surviving several strokes. He is an ordained rabbi, an Advanced Scuba Diver and credits his running fitness and his scuba skills with surviving a fall through the ice in over 600’ of water in middle of West Grand Traverse Bay,,,,,, and saving his dog! A U of M graduate, like his kids, (GO BLUE!!), he plays a mean blues harmonica globally and with area bands. Today, Mickey placed in his age division, 75-80. If you would like Mickey to cover your race, if you need training tips, email mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com.
Traverse City Runner 