The Meijer Festival of Races took place in Traverse City, July 10. Cool weather and sunny conditions welcomed almost 2100 eager runners, both in person and virtually to a wonderful race experience. The venerable race has been occurring in Traverse City for many years. Race director, Katherine Brege, conducted a super effort, pulling many threads together to create a memorable experience for participants, volunteers and sponsors. The race website says: “Imagine lining up with thousands of runners just like you on a beautiful Traverse City morning. You enjoy the picturesque views of Grand Traverse Bay. You come to the final stretch along Grand Traverse Bay reenergized by cheering fans all the way to the finish line where you’re handed dried cherries and a participant medal after you cross the line. The Meijer Festival of Races presented by Cherry Bay Orchards is a race series that celebrates the beauty and agriculture in the Traverse City Area.” Something new for the 2021 race, the race organizers offered an interactive race day experience with “RaceJoy”, an ap which gave Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers as part of the official race experience for the Meijer Festival of Races. Julie Alpers was NCF volunteer, again in charge of registration. Julie was everywhere helping everyone with a myriad of registration questions. Julie is an assistant race director in charge of registration each year.
The Festival of Races was sponsored by Meijer Stores and presented by Cherry Bay Orchards with special support from Priority Health, KLT the Rock Station and 9&10 news. 2021 results can be found at this link; Results; Meijer Festival of Races . Participants were treated at race registration/packet pick-up to Cherry Bay Orchards Cherry Drink and at race finish to dried cherry snacks, bananas and cookies. Kristen Moravcik of Shoreline Fruit/Cherry Bay Orchards gave free samples of cherry juice at registration. Kristen said the cherry juice is great for recovery after a race or great any time. Shoreline Fruit is grower-owned and uses local cherries. Kristen was ably assisted by sales assistant and former runner up to the Cherry Queen, Sophie Vukasocich. Chris Warren, of KLT Radio, ably worked the sound truck offering runners a variety of music. Joe O’Brien, of Classic Race Management, again coordinated registrations, and kept track of results. Joe has been performing this function many years for the race.
Now it’s time to meet some of the amazing participants, volunteers and sponsors of the 2021 Meijer Festival of Races. It’s hard to top the amazing story of Gary Lake, 74, of Honor. In addition to being a runner who often wins his age group, Gary is also known as the “Bayer Aspirin Man”. Why? Because Gary suffered a heart attack at age 57. Part of his amazing road to recovery was a daily Bayer Baby Aspirin. He appeared on TV touting the benefits of baby Bayer Aspirin. Amazingly, Gary recovered enough to continue winning his age group and completing several marathons including Boston. A few years later, Gary noticed severe loss of energy and running was becoming difficult. In 2018, the doctors discovered two heart blockages of up to 80%. Gary was operated on INTERNALLY, with a new less invasive procedure, NOT with open heart surgery. No rehab was necessary. 44 days later, Gary won his age group at a major race in Holland, MI. Gary’s doctors credit his miraculous recovery to running. “Running saved my life”; says Gary. You may have encountered Gary because he handed out t-shirts to half marathon runners. Now you know, you may have interacted with the “Bayer Aspirin Man”. Today, Gary placed, as usual, in his age group in the 15K.
Jeff Schluter, 55, of Heartland has a very important reason why he runs. Both parents died in their mid-seventies. Both parents severely lost mobility in their later years. Gary wants to beat the odds with running and exercise. Samantha Baker, 29, of Kansas City, MO enjoys pushing herself and testing her limits. Oh, by the way, Samantha had a baby three months ago. Hey, you moms, want good health while experiencing pregnancy? Try running. Joseph Dear, 56, of Rochester Hills, is lucky enough to have a wonderful mom who inspired him to run. He became hooked while picking up her packet for a race. He has a 4:07 marathon PR. Now the whole family runs. Now meet mom, who is a spry 85 years old, Jeannie Lee, from Tampa, FL. Jeannie has been running 15 years and not surprisingly, generally wins her age group. We’re not done with this incredible family. Shannon Robinson 51, has been a trainer and group leader for 20 years at the well-known, Bobby Crim Race, held every year in Flint. Dale Jackson, 61, dropped his blood pressure by 30 points, slowed his resting pulse and dropped 30 pounds. His wife, Kris Good, 52, has a marathon PR of 3:47. Due to running, they feel stronger, calmer and have more endurance. A hobby of running fits in well with travel, as they have seen unique sights in every destination. They have run many races in special travel areas such as Key West. Lisa Froning, 49, from Manistee, ran the half marathon. She runs for self-care and for the meditative state she enjoys because of running. Martha Ahluwalia, 59, ran the half. She has run since she was 16 years old. Martha had a freak accident while helping a child on a bunny hill. She broke her ACL and was given a 2% chance of recovery by her doctors. She broke those bad odds because of her conditioning. Today, Martha has fully recovered and owes her recovery to running and the exercise she does. Martha says; “and here I am today! I run to feel Good!” Heather Krajenka is running with six of her family including her parents, sister, and hubby Nick, who lost 35 pounds and dropped his blood pressure by 20 points. Alan Heigt, 64, is a respiratory therapist at Munson Hospital and knows the value of running because good health and good breathing is Alan’s profession. Sara Baty, 41, runs for stress release.
Len Miller, 57, has run for 15 years. Len runs to stay fit. He has dropped his blood pressure dramatically. His fiancée, Amy, 48, is running this race with him. Len designs kitchens and is completing a new kitchen for his home. Oh, and by the way, did I tell you that by the time you tread this article, Len and Amy will be married. The lovely couple was married the day AFTER this race. Congratulations to the happy couple. Jim Hertreiter is a remarkable example of the value of running. Jim suffered from prostate cancer several years ago. Four years ago, he was forced to use a wheelchair. Today he is still fighting cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body, but Jim is able to run this race. He is no longer wheelchair bound. Jim’s doctors say his current good condition is due to his fitness from running. And did I say Jim has completely recovered from a replaced hip last February? All because of the conditioning from running and other exercise. Jim, we look forward to seeing you at many more races. Bill Swift, 78, of TC ran his 1101st race today. His wife, Mary accompanied him for most of the route. Wayne Lobdell, age 80, of TC recalled many years ago when we ran a trial 10 MI run together. Wayne has had Parkinson’s disease for the last 12 years, but he creamed me in this event. Running works for Wayne. Caitlin Briggs, 30, from New York, is an instructor in a Veterinarian college. She runs to stay in good shape.
Courtney Brown, 23, of Houston, TX, and I ran together during much of the race. We traded leads several times during the event. Courtney had bariatric surgery and has lost 60#. She is my “big loser” of the race. Congratulations Courtney. She plans to keep losing the weight. Courtney was on blood pressure medication and diabetes medication. Now, because of running, she has been able to stop taking all meds. This race was only the second race she has run. Great accomplishments, Courtney. Courtney says; “this is like a second lease on life”. It was fun running together.
Sydney Diss, 26, of TC, was the “chief” of the Team Bob’s running group. All members of the Team Bob group were in matching t-shirts. Dan Lantos, 61, Deana Horshner, 61 and Tracy Weatherholt, 59, ran as the “Loon Team” in their matching t-shirts. We would be remiss if we did not thank Barb (Bobbi) Suter, who sat in her wheelchair about ½ mile from the finish cheering the runners. And she stayed till the end. She was inspiring as she clapped for each runner.
The race could not exist without a huge group of volunteers including set-up helpers, tear-down volunteers, course marshals and many others. I spoke to a few of them. Lauren Nowak is cheerleading coach at Central High. She had many of her group of cheerleaders volunteering at the event. One of those cheerleader-volunteers is Mackenzie Trout, a junior varsity cheerleader. Together, they were selling old t-shirts and wonderful souvenir sox. Hope you got a pair of those sox. Julie Puckett is advisor to the Central High National Honor Society. Julie and her NHS crew were passing out t-shirts. Two of Julie’s members are Co-presidents, Lauren Stallman and Olivia Strom. What was amazing to me is that I learned Olivia is the granddaughter of my Central High Class of ‘60 classmate, Pete Strom. Hi, Pete!!
Assisting at the starting line was the Vasa Ski Club led by Vasa President Gussie Peterson and husband Curt Peterson. Dave Sutton, ably served as course sweeper on his unusual folding bicycle. When in national bike races, Dave had been training over 200 miles/week. Now he is down to a “measly” 100 miles/week. He always wears a bike helmet. Next time you see Dave, ask him to show you pictures of why he wears a helmet.
Race director, Katherine Brege, hopes to welcome you to next year’s Meijer Festival of Races. July 9th, 2022 presented by Cherry Bay Orchards. Or you might join the National Cherry Festival at next year’s Leapin Leprechaun Race. You will reap the many benefits from running. But remember to always consult your physician before starting any exercise program.
Your author, Mickey Fivenson, age 79, of Traverse City, lost over 100 pounds and has trained over 150,000 miles in 49 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, ranked in the top 25 USA races. 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. His bride of 30 years, Dr. Sally Littleton, is a retired psychotherapist, provides private Reiki lessons and is Reiki instructor at NMC and virtually on the web. If you would like Mickey to cover your race, if you need training tips, email mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com.
Traverse City Runner 