Interlochen Run for the Arts 5K, was held May 7, 2022 in sunny but cool running weather. Race director, David Tanis, welcomed 133 runners to the main campus of Interlochen Arts Academy. As the website says; “We participants experienced live music and art as we ran or walked a course through the gorgeous grounds of IAA on paved and unpaved trails.
Registration proceeds support student scholarships. Every step you take makes a difference in a young artist’s life! The course includes paved and unpaved trails along the shores of Green Lake and Duck Lake.
Awards were given to Overall Male and Overall Female. Age Division Awards (Male and Female): 14 and Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and Over. Timing and scoring was done by Mac’s Sports Timing using ChronoTrack technology. Results were posted during and immediately after the event.
Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Bill Marsh Buick/GMC Auto, CrossFit Due North, Forward Inking Design & Print Studio, Cherry Republic, Direct Fitness Solutions, GoGo Squeeze, (Amy Fritz of GoGo Squeez passed out delicious samples) Grand Traverse Family Chiropractic, Great Lakes Potato Chips, High Five Threads, M22, Northwoods Soda & Syrup Co (who provided a keg of root beer) , Running Fit, Traverse Reproduction & Supply Co. , Traverse Catholic Credit Union, Fleet Feet, Graceland Fruit, Nuun Hydration and Jacobi Williams Medical Massage. Jacobi Williams, LMT, gave free medical massages to tired runners.
Speaking of sponsors, race director, Dave Tanis, had a few special deals to make you aware of: • Bring your race bib into Running Fit, up to three days after the race to receive 15% off your purchase! • Show your bib and get $10 off your first session at Jacobi Williams Medical massage. • Get one FREE class at CrossFit Due North by showing your bib up to one week after the race. • Receive 10% off the Battle Creek Half Marathon and 5% off by using this code RUNBC22 (sign-up via run sign-up).
David Tanis, is a remarkable race director and we are lucky to have his expertise. David was the director of one of the largest and oldest races in the state. He brings with him many of the skills he acquired. David says the following; – “I had several races I either started like the Dig’Em Dash 5K and co-directed the Battle Creek Half Marathon to events I hired into and became the race director like the Cereal City 5K. All these races minus the Dig’Em Dash are still existing as very successful events.” David came to Interlochen because he had the opportunity to direct one of the most complete, modern physical education facilities in the area. If you have a chance, look at the amazing IAA Physical Education, facility and you will see a roomy, modern space with all the tools and machines students need for better physical health. David’s is a dream facility.
Results can be found at this link; Interlochen Run for the Arts 5K, 2022 Results .
Let’s meet our race “winners”. My “winners” are not necessarily the fastest runners, but they are the runners who exemplify the highest ideals of running, the runners to whom this race is an important aspect of achieving and continuing a good quality of life. These folks exemplify, at the highest level, why you should consider running. Race directors are often unaware these important life-changing events are aided by their race.
Our race “winner” is Jennifer Orenic, 57, of Traverse City. Jennifer is not only a cancer survivor, but also recently discovered she had contracted diabetes. At today’s race, Jennifer finished last, but she is a “winner”. Twenty-seven years ago, she contracted Hodgkin’s cancer, for her first cancer episode. More recently, Jennifer contracted cervical cancer, from which she has completely recovered. Most recently, Jennifer learned she was diabetic, and in addition to her running regimen, she is taking medication. Interestingly, Jenifer’s A1C is only 7.1. A1C is a diabetic marker. Jenifer is adopted, so she does not know her family history. She used exercise to beat cancer, now she is using exercise to beat her diabetes. As I have interviewed people with diabetes in area races, it is not unusual to find folks who have used exercise to beat the dreaded disease. Good luck to Jenifer and congratulations on “winning” your first race. Jenifer’s friend, Ami Ranger, 49, from Travaerse City, runs because the effort promotes mental health. Ami has been walking aggressively for 29 years. She walks year round, even in the winter.
Michelle Witt, age 46, runs to maintain her mental health and as a lesson to her kids about keeping healthy. Recently moved to Rapid City from near Port Huron, Michelle is running her first half marathon in October. Her daughter, who is a student at my wife, Sally’s alma mater, Oakland University, runs with asthmatic vocal cords and needs to be careful to breathe in a special manner. Andrew Session, age 44, from Glen Arbor, walks for clarity of mind. John Jonesco, age 75, of Hilton Head South Carolina, has been running for over 50 years. Tom and Jacki Auch, ages 62 and 57, reside in Lake Ann. Tom has finished one marathon. He used to have one or drinks daily, but running helped him stop drinking many years ago, even though drinking was never a serious problem. Tom is a graphic design teacher at Northwestern Michigan College. David Bessmer, age 74, and Leigh Weitsman, age 60, from Interlochen, won the GO BLUE award because David sported UM colors. David had a tumor removed 12 years ago which affected his balance so he is limited to walking. David stopped smoking in 1995. He also had a benign prostate cancer removed 20 years ago. Therefore, in addition to the GO BLUE award, David is a race “winner”. Congratulations David. All of us could aspire to your bravery.
Joe Coleman from Interlochen, usually wins his age group. Joe comes from a long line of ultra-marathoners. Noah Dudley, age 32, recently moved to Traverse City from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Noah is a recruiter for the Air Force and for the new US Space Force, which deals with security for all US satellites. Kathy Houston, age 72, from Arizona, has always had good health. She attributes her good fortune to her exercise regimen. Debra Eller, turned 69 years old today. She gives credit for her good health to her exercise and fitness classes. Nora Robinson, her daughter, Ida, age 4, and son, Leo age 22 months, won a piece of the GO BLUE award because of their clothing choices. Nora teaches dance at Interlochen Arts Academy. Nora was in the famous, incredible, University of Michigan marching band, playing saxophone. Allen Gagstetter , age 73, of Manistee, used to smoke over 40 years ago. He attributes his exercise and running to help him stop. His wife, Lucy, age 69, started losing weight in college. Since college, Lucy has lost 40# and as such she is our “big loser: She is also battling family high blood pressure. What do they eat before a race? How about a homemade blueberry muffin. Mmmmmm, good. Congratulations, Lucy, for your efforts at better health. Joan Dorn, age 68, of Traverse City avoided sickness by all the physical exercise she performed. As a Phd, she had been employed by the Physical Activity and Health Branch of the CDC & Prevention in Atlanta, GA. Joan’s message to you, “Move more to gain better health”. Her daughter, Katie Dorn, is an employee of Interlochen Arts Academy and volunteered by handing out goodies at the race end. Another volunteer handing out goodies at the race end was Matt Schlomer, a conductor at IAA. I told Matt a story about Byron Hanson, who recently passed away. Byron was a conductor at IAA. Our family was watching a performance with Byron conducting. He broke his baton. At the end of the concert, he gave the broken baton to my son, Adam. As far as I know, Adam, still has the baton. Byron and I joked about the incident several times. Byron, we will miss you as you conduct that orchestra in the sky.
Volunteers are the life-blood of any race, and today was no exception. Sam Haviland, of Westchester, NY, Neva Ensinger-Holland, of Mequon, WI, Madeline Zuckerman, of Tuscon, AZ, and Gracie Feinberg, of Aspen, CO are students who worked at the registration table. Special thanks to the student musicians who performed along the race. Thanks to the many students who played instruments on the course.
Dan Haun, poured root beer out of the big keg. Don is with volunteer services. Christian Goss, an IAA student from Traverse City, played a rousing electric guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner to start the race. Shades of Jimmy Hendricks. Many more volunteers were acting as course marshals.
Race director David Tanis, hopes to see you on May 13, 2023. for next year’s Interlochen Run for the Arts 5K. Remember to consult your physician before attempting any race or physical activity.
Your author, Mickey Fivenson, age 80, (a Traverse City native of Munson Hospital, class of ’42), lost over 100 pounds and has trained over 150,000 miles in 50 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. Mickey coordinates his Traverse City Central High School Class of ’60 reunion every 5 years (what fun). 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 a Tapping and Reiki instructor at Northwestern Michigan College 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, Ph or Text 1-231-946-2195 or email mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com . Today, Mickey took first place in his age group.
Traverse City Runner 