Race Director, Steve Melvin, conducted a special race event for almost 200 runners at the Runway 5K, Sept 25, Cherry Capitol Airport, Traverse City. For those of us who have always dreamed of walking or running on an active runway, it was a dream come true, presented by Steve to benefit Wings of Mercy and YMCA. Steve was assisted by many YMCA volunteers along with registration volunteers and runners, Laura, 54, his wife, Kate and Elaine,18, his daughters. In addition to experiencing a unique race on the runways of Cherry Capitol Airport. Our entry fees also contributed to the benefit of Wings of Mercy and the YMCA.
And where was Kevin Klein, Cherry Capitol Airport director? Kevin was everywhere but I only saw him as I crossed the finish line as he cheered the runners. Volunteers, Jason and Suzanne Allen, were at the race start. Next time, Jason promises to run. He normally “creams” me in these races. I still know his secret of how to run around Boardman Lake through a small path near the campus parking lot. No more a secret. We were also joined by many parking attendants and directional helpers from the YMCA and other groups.
No race can exist without sponsors. The Runway 5K was proudly sponsored by AVFS Flight. Also sponsoring were; High Street Insurance Partners, Nicolette National Bank, Lucky Marmot Aviation, GFL Environmental, Bill Marsh Automotive, Blue Cross-Blue Shield-Blue Care Network, Alfie Logo Gear, Remax Bayshore Realty and GoGo Squeeze.
We were joined by Grace Spelde, executive director of Wings of Mercy. Grace was everywhere at the race start and finish, helping with directions and snapping many pictures to memorialize this important event. The Civil Air Patrol was well represented. In addition to bringing their unique rescue airplane, they also brought special rescue drones. Brian Green, Commander of the Traverse City Civil Air Patrol chapter was operating an intriguing informational booth filled with important information, drones and model airplanes. Clark Brown, is the Aerospace educational director, and involved with Youth leadership and emergency services. Jo Hendrix, is commander of all Northern Michigan Civil Air Patrol, and recalled my relatives in Alpena. Lance Bochmer was an important part of CAP. The Civil Air Patrol website at; http://www.mi131.miwg.cap.gov/ says; CAP has evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed — in the air and on the ground.
As a Total Force partner and Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 60,000 members selflessly devote their time, energy and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program. Civil Air Patrol’s missions for America are many, and today’s adults and cadets perform their duties with the same vigilance as its founding members — preserving CAP’s 75-year legacy of service while maintaining its commitment to nearly 1,500 communities nationwide. Locally, the CAP, had the unfortunate experience of finding deceased lost kayakers. An unfortunate result bringing closure to the families.
What is Wings of Mercy? According to the website; wingsofmercy.org we learn the purpose and impact of this important group. “For patients who can’t afford to fly, Wings of Mercy is a unique, nonprofit organization providing free air transportation to distant medical centers. As a faith-based organization, we seek to honor God by serving and sustaining life for those in need.
Serious or rare illnesses are not always treatable at local or even regional medical centers. Sometimes the best or only treatment can be hundreds of miles away. And, even when a patient’s health insurance will cover treatment, it rarely covers transportation to those services. That’s where we come in, connecting people who can’t afford the financial burden of commercial flights with volunteer pilots who can get them there.
Wings of Mercy was founded by a Michigan native and pilot, Peter VandenBosch. At age 68, Peter had successfully retired and was enjoying a fishing trip off the coast of Florida when he heard a voice simply say, “Peter, there is more to life than this.” For two weeks, Peter told no one before finally sharing his experience with his wife. When she heard, her immediate response was, “We’ve got to sell the house in Florida and move back to Michigan.” In faith, they moved back and waited, and within a few months a friend suggested that Peter use his twin engine plane to fly low income patients to receive treatment. Peter founded Wings of Mercy in 1991, and since then, we’ve flown over 8,000 missions.
We’ve grown from just a handful of volunteers to a registered, organized nonprofit, and we’ve seen the formation of two additional chapters in Minnesota and East Michigan. We can fly anywhere in the US east of the Rocky Mountains, and we look forward to growing our network and services for years to come.
With accountability and stewardship, we ensure that 80 percent of all donations go directly toward sustaining the cost of our flights, most of which are fuel expenses. All our pilots are volunteers, generously lending their time and oftentimes their planes to our cause. With minimal staff and low overhead, we coordinate flights to meet appointments, pay for aviation fuel/expenses and raise funds to continue our operations. We are entirely funded by charitable contributions.”
The 5K race had special rules not included in most events; “Runners and walkers were welcome. Please, no strollers or pets. Heightened security due to location, no backpacks on the race course please.” We could not help but notice the heightened security as we started the race. A gate was opened, manned by a security guard and we were allowed to start running the Runway 5K. I happened to start at the end of the pack, as I am want to do in most races. I barely beat the guard who was already closing the starting gate. I requested the guard to halt the closure, I made it and continued the race.
In addition to running close to huge snowplows, fire trucks and other large airport gear parked near the runway, we ran next to airplane directional signs, more security guards, special directional pylons and huge numbers painted on the surface of the runway. It was a surreal experience, to say the least, an experience I, and the other runners, will never forget. Thank you, Steve, for giving us the opportunity to give to Wings of Mercy and to experience the runways of Cherry Capitol Airport. The race was competently timed by Bill Ott, from Epic Timing of Grand Rapids. Nice job, Bill.
Let’s meet some of our runners. It is important to remember that in addition to giving funds to Wings of Mercy, Steve Melvin and the Runway 5K has provided many runners the opportunity to benefit themselves. For example, Kathy Ducharm, 56, who dropped 80#, eliminated blood pressure medicine, stopped all diabetes medication and dropped her A1C blood diabetes count from 10.1 to only 6! She had plenty of warning, losing grandparents and relatives to the scourges of diabetes and heart conditions. Kathy was determined to avoid the history of her relatives. Kathy has completed three 10Ks and many 5Ks. In addition to running, Kathy kayaks and, get this, mountain climbs. Or meet Pam Forton, 66, of Traverse City. Pam dropped 40# and looks quite fit. Her favorite run is along the water especially the shores of Boardman Lake. Pam’s BMI was 26. Her BMI dropped to a svelte 20. Blair Foote, 65, of Traverse City, dropped her cholesterol and took home a winner medal.
Mike Miller, 66 of Traverse City, is director of the Kielbasa Run, in Cedar, at the Polka Festival where he welcomed almost 150 runners. Mike dropped his resting heart rate from 62 to 53. His blood pressure also dropped. Louie Rasho, 67 host of the Farmland Run, Joe Coleman, 57, of Interlochen, and Duane Amato, 70, of Suttons Bay who often wins Senior Men’s title, and dad of Nick, former U of M Triathlete all joined us running the Runway 5K.
Terry Tyler, 67, of Traverse City, lost 30# over the last two years. She was accompanied by partner, Angel Gingras, 60, who has been a runner since a child and always wanted to run on the runway as a youth. Her bucket list was fulfilled here at Traverse City. She lost 30# and recently completed the Disney ½ marathon.
Pete Buttigieg, former presidential candidate, was present for the race. I did not see Pete. His husband has a home the Traverse City area. Others saw him surrounded by guards and told me he looks like he is still in good shape and may not have a story to tell me.
Winner of my Runway 5K U of M award was 14 month old, Henrik Darter, who rested in his stroller clothed in Maze and Blue. Henrik cheered for his mom, Billie, as she completed the race. Henrik was accompanied by dad, Ben.
Steve Melvin, Race director hopes to welcome you, next year for the special experience of running the runways in the Runway 5K at Cherry Capitol Airport in support of Wings of Mercy and the YMCA. You will enjoy the unique experience of competing on the runways of Cherry Capitol Airport. Remember to ask your doctor for permission to start an 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.
Mickey Fivenson: MBA, CEO, Ph,Text 1-231-946-2195
Traverse City Runner 