The National Cherry Festival and race director Alexis Bremer welcomed over 700 leprechauns and “Irish dudes” dressed in green, to the 2023, 13th edition of this venerable event. We runners braved very cold weather, but we persevered.
We celebrated the 13th year of the Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5k with a brand new course starting on Lake Ave in Old Town Traverse City and an after party at Brady’s Bar with free beer provided to those with valid ID. The LL5K is hosted by The Festival Foundation and sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Brady’s Bar. Proceeds from this event support the littlest leprechauns through a donation to the Munson Medical Center’s new Family Birth & Children’s Center
Each registrant received a LL5K T-shirt*, professionally timed results, a beer (please drink responsibly) at Brady’s Bar**, carbs at the finish line. Age group medals were awarded for first to third place. So grab your green and throw on those lucky socks for Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K foot race! *Must be registered by March 7th to claim a t-shirt **Must be 21 and over to claim the beer at Brady’s Bar. The race is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Brady’s Bar and WTCM.
We were excited to provide the following swag in your packet: A 2023 LL5K Tee-shirt (Must register on/or before March 7th to Guarantee a T-shirt size). Professionally timed results! Prizes for the best costumes. Plus More!
Timing Services provided once again by Classic Race Management. Find your results at this link; Leapin Leprechaun 2023 Results
Although I could not speak to every runner, now we meet some of our participants and find out why they take time out of their busy day to run the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. These folks are real “winners” beating some of life’s biggest challenges with the important aid of running. Often, race organizers and sponsors are not aware of these incredible stories and the value provided by being involved with a running race.
Meet our first “winner”, Catherine Cordle, 63, from Northville. Catherine looks like any fit runner. She’s thin and has a healthy appearance. After talking to Catherine, I heard a most amazing story. Catherine lost 200 pounds. She dropped from 325 pounds to 125 pounds. In ten years of doing these race interviews, I have never talked to a lady who lost 200 pounds. Catherine achieved this remarkable goal through bariatric surgery. But I learned more. Catherine is careful not to put her weight back on. She eats small portions. She regularly works out with weights and has joined a gym. She practices Pilates and yoga. In 2016 she ran her first 5K. Catherine has completed three marathons, including two weeks ago in Las Vegas, during which she eats and drinks regularly. She ran in the famous Disney Dopey challenge, running 4 races in 3 days. Catherine, you are a true “winner” in beating one of life’s challenges. She also stayed in a motel and spend money on gas and food, proving the economic benefits of events such as the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K to the economy of the Grand Traverse area. Congratulations to Catherine Cordle. A most unique Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K winner.
I first met Cheryl Schaub, age 55, of Traverse City, a few years ago at this same race. Cheryl stopped at about the one mile marker to adjust her leg brace. Cheryl had been a victim of a serious car crash. The leg brace was the least of her injuries. Cheryl also suffered serious brain trauma and back injuries. At the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K, today, Cheryl ran free of most of those traumatic injuries, dressed in her gaudy Irish costume. Cheryl owes much of her recovery to exercise and running. She keeps herself fit. Cheryl, congratulations being a Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K “winner”. Cheryl was accompanied by her son, Jackson, of Interlochen, who burned the course.
Carrie Whitener, 48, from Kingsley, is a Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K “winner”. Her mother passed away from a heart condition, kidney failure and respiratory illness. Carrie is running for her mom. Carrie has other heart conditions in her family history and is running to avoid those conditions for herself. Carrie was accompanied by her husband, Tate, age 48, and her cheering section, Levi, age 4 and Grayson, age 18 months and a future grandchild.
Sarah Harding, age 33, of Gaylord, is another “winner”. Sarah started running in 2020 because of the pandemic. She was always an athlete, playing basketball and as a high school cheerleader. But, Sarah, really started being serious about her physical condition when she stated running. One of her first races was the Alpen Fest 5K. Sarah says: “It’s never too late to start exercising. Stick with it and you will reap the benefits.” Thanks, Sarah. You are a real “winner”.
Andy Marek, age 50, of Interlochen, ran the race in full firefighter’s gear including a complete fire suit and tank. Why did he do it? To improve his physical condition for the next time he is called on to save our home or business from the ravages fire. Andy, you are a true hero and a “winner” of the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K.
Brian Nefcy, age 58, from Traverse City, ran in his Irish outfit and was joined by Taylor Seale, of Madison, Wisconsin and their seven year old beagle, Dublin (yes, Dublin may have been named for this Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K). What a team! Jim Hertreiter, age 71, was running/walking on a replaced hip. Jim was joined by Sandy Velya, age 73, and Jill Greenfield, age 63. Jim Graham, age 73, of Suttons Bay ran his usual exceptional race. Matt Drost, age 50, of Traverse City, runs so he can eat. Courtney Kipke, age 48, of Grawn, runs to relieve stress and avoids all stress medications. Kym Dowland, age 57 of Traverse City, fractured his tailbone falling out of a hammock. He also suffered sore shoulders and pinched nerves. His chiropractor suggested running, so Kym is having fun, while recovering at the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K.
Jason Moore, age 40, of Traverse City, looked like any fit runner out for a good time at the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. But Jason had a serious story. He lost 42 pounds only eight months ago. Jason dropped from a size 36 pant waste to a svelte size 32. He eats well and enjoys his new found health. Is Jason related to the many Moore’s who ran today? Stay tuned to find out. Mary Janice, age 50, from Mancelona, ran a fine race. But her husband, Ted, age 63, who rode a bike during the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K, is the real “winner”. Ted suffered a stroke last year during which Ted feels like he aged 10 years. Prior to the stroke, Ted was more active. He still tires easily. His dad had heart disease and Ted had bypass surgery at age 46. Ted is coming back to better health. He continues to exercise. Ted, you were not in the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K but you are a real “winner”. Joe Coleman, age 59, of Interlochen, is almost recovered from painful plantar fasciitis, which hurts him with every step. On top or that, Joe suffered a hamstring injury from which he is recovering. In spite of his injuries, he ran a fast time and medaled today in the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. Congratulations to Joe. Jeremy Treadwell ran another exceptional race today in LL5K.
Bill Swift, age 79, of Traverse City, had five stints inserted last October. As a racing regular, fortunately, Bill was fit before the heart surgery. His doctors rarely see a heart patient as fit as Bill. Bill still dropped twenty five pounds. He is adopted so he does not know his heredity, but Bill thinks heredity played a role in his heart condition. Bill is slowly regaining his strength and with the help of Munson rehab is returning to fitness. Bill, you are a “winner” of the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K.
Now you get to meet, Tammy Hellon, age 47, from Grand Rapids. I first met Tammy at the Frozen Betsie 5K in Frankfort several years ago. Tammy and I ran much of that race together as we did at the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. But what was unique is we sang together in the race, yes, we sang. And what did we sing? In honor of Tammy, check out the following link; Link to “Tammy” and we still had more race to run, so following is the link to our next song; Link to “Mickey” . And we sang and sang and had a ball. Oh, by the way, we finished both races looking “fine”. Many thanks to Tammy for being a such a good sport and a fine race partner and a great singer and for sending me the “selfie” Tammy took of us running together and you will see in this article along with photos of many of our “winners”.
No race would be complete without exceptional volunteers. Todd McCall, started the race in his Irish way, terrific Irish garb. Bailey Judson was everywhere assisting the race. We missed Bailey singing the National Anthem. Maybe next time. Jessica Hodges, of the National Cherry Festival Foundation was race director and helped in many areas.
The National Cherry Festival Foundation and race director Alexis Bremer hopes you will join the fun at next year’s Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. And do not miss the uplifting experience at the 2023 National Cherry Festival of races this summer. If you start an exercise program, be sure to consult your physician.
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 more than 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, and former president of the Grand Traverse Area U of M club, (GO BLUE!!), he plays a mean blues harmonica globally and with area bands. His bride of 31 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. Today, Mickey took first place in his age group.
Traverse City Runner 