Race directors, Jen Teeples and Randy Step, welcomed over 500 Racers to the annual party called the “Bigfoot Snowshoe Race 5K & 10K” at Timber Ridge, east of Traverse City, in unusually warm weather. The temperature was 40 degrees higher this year than at last year’s race. The wooded trails were perfect, with excellent packed snow and great snowshoeing.
According to the race website; “Registration took place around a roaring fire at the beautiful log lodge at Timber Ridge Resort. The pre-race mood is just fun. Usual crowd about 500 entered and 100 rent snowshoes, probably their first time on them, so no excuse, come join us. The learning curve is zero, strap em’ on and run. The course is a super hilly off trail run with plenty of logs to jump and branches to duck, like a leg of Dances with Dirt! What if there were no snow? It would be the first time if there wasn’t. There will be snow … but, if there wasn’t, you would be part of history, running a snowshoe race in your running shoes. I love this race! I love a winter road trip to Traverse City!
Awards to the top three finishers in male and female age groups in both 5k and 10k plus to the overall male and female winners who won creative, huge, Bigfoot Statues. Sponsored by Running Fit Stores, The Michigan DNR, and the Michigan Fitness Council, results are at this link: Bigfoot 2020 Results. The race was timed by RF Timing and Trevor Step. RF timing produced fast, accurate and complete results. Additional sponsors were, GoGo Squeeze applesauce snacks, represented by Amy Fritz, who passed out generous samples, Great Lakes Catering, featuring “Farm to Table” catering, represented by owner, Jill Grenchick, who handed out steaming, hot bowls of gluten-free chili and vegetarian potato soup, and Happy Planet Running, with ultra-runner, Jeff Jackson, who recycled waste created by the race, and that’s one huge amount of waste. Jeff says, “Run a great race. Leave no trace.”
As author of this article, I get to pick my “winners”. The “winners” are not necessarily the fastest runners, but they have won or are winning the most important race we can win, the race for a better life. Meet our first “winner”, Warren Wood, age 59, from Romeo. Warren was the “big loser” of the race. Warren dropped his pulse, lowered his blood pressure, lowered his A1C, dropped his cholesterol and lost 80#. He lowered the amount of medications he takes, because of running and exercise. He has another 50# weight loss to achieve. Congratulations to a real “winner”, Warren Wood. Mike Webb, age 50, of Benzonia, is another “winner”. Mike completed the 5K. He was the last finisher. Mike recently posted his weight, 422#, on Facebook and has a continuing post showing his challenge to lose more weight. Mike says he “became tired of being obese. I thought about mortality as I turned 50.” He said; “Enough of this.” He joined a local health club, started eating healthy, stopped eating junk food and plans to run a 5K every month this year. Mike is documenting his races, and his progress, by wearing a head camera. Mike’s message to others; “Come join in the fun. Everyone is supportive. Whether you are young or old, skinny or fat, you will enjoy the trip.”
Tom Neal, 76, had a stent put in nine years ago. Tom beat me in our age group in the 5K. Tom is quick! Walt Pheeney, 77, from the Detroit area, suffered prostate cancer 9 years ago. Walt is on the Milford swim team. Rick Hammond, 69, from Maryland, suffered a bike accident in October. He broke his collarbone, four ribs and punctured his ribs. Thank goodness, he was wearing a bike helmet at the time of his accident. His doctor recently gave Rick clearance to run. Gary (61) and Joan (60) Beavers. Of Linwood, started biking when they his 50 years old “to fight the 50s” They both look good, so apparently, they are winning their battle. U of M, GO BLUE, prize goes to Alex Krause, 24, who sported a UM sweat band. Alex was a student at UM Dearborn and is currently a student at Wayne State Law. Alex was joined by friends Garrett Newman, also a student at UM Dearborn, Ryan Pickell, Chris Stewart, and Quinn Osgood. Sarah Jane Stogsdill, 25, of Interlochen, just started running. Sarah runs with her dad. Rhonda Workman, director of the lovely Mesick Mushroom Festival 5K, and a veteran, (thank you for your service), beat me across the finish line. Lately, Rhonda has had a sore leg, and I have beaten her. Way to go, Rhonda. I will keep working. Deena Horchner was at the race. I saw you at the finish line. Did you run the race, Deena? Liz Paulson, 78, from Cadillac, ran with me for a portion of the race but eventually took off and crossed the line ahead of me. And there was Alan Heidt. Alan, you are too fast! Robert Crowe, won his age group in the 10K. Robert lapped me with a faster time for the 10K than I ran in the 5K! Robert says “running saved my life”. Robert refers to the incredible positive feelings generated by running. Robert directs an important race in the Detroit area. Garret Grant, 10, of Suttons Bay, did very nicely in the race. Bruce Leonard, 52, of Northville, lost 25#. Julie Burch, 38, Alia Polsgrove, 37, Dan Staernstroe, 31, (from Sweden), Christian Chimner, 39, Jamar Williams, 30, Yu Omori, 29, from Japan, have all run marathons. They formed a running group in the Detroit area having met on Facebook. Tim Hiatt, 49, of Rochester Hills, runs for stress relief. Julie Gieraltowski, 47, of New Baltimore, is training for her first 50K trail run. Running clears her head and gives her clarity and purpose.
Tom Kennedy, 64, of Charlevoix, believes the family that runs together, prospers together. Tom runs with his wife, Susan, 60, his aunt, Marilyn Freeman, 65, son-in-law, Simon Milbrandt, 42, and daughter, Amy Milbrandt, 36. They scuba together, boat together and run together. A real family affair. Susan proved she can finish a 5K. This race was her first! John Grossiaux, 59, of South Lyon, ran his first race with a former girlfriend, a marathon, no less. John has run over 10 marathons and several ultras. Ed Giroux, 79, Louis LeBlanc, 55, Alex Ackerman, 56, Erika Thompson, 51, Lisa Pollack, 53, Rich Bazzy, 65, Michele Snyder, 51, all succeeded in finishing the Bigfoot. Jim Frixon, former heart attack victim, looked fresh after completing the race. Bruce Reeves, 50, of Linden, is “trying to outlive his wife” by exercising. Liz Reeves recently started running and already has lost 5#.
Gary Lake, who suffered a heart attack and a recent heart valve replacement, and is the famous TV “Bayer Aspirin Man” volunteered for the race as a course marshal. Ethen Olds, director of the Lighthouse 100 Mile race, helped hand out awards.
Jen Teeples and Randy Step, Bigfoot race directors, hope you will train for and enter next year’s Bigfoot 5K or 10K or enter the Vasa Trail Run, this Fall. You will be a big winner 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. If you would like Mickey to cover your race, if you need training tips, email mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com. Today, he took a prize in his age group.
Traverse City Runner 