Another annual edition of the challenging and venerable Big Foot 1M, 5K & 10K Snowshoe Race was held at Timber Ridge in Traverse City, Jan 27, 2024. The Big Foot faced challenges from unseasonably warm weather, but everyone who wore snowshoes and some who ran without, were happy and smiling. Running Fit Events does a fine job providing runners a good time. Even though the weather was warmer than usual, snow conditions were ideal. Passing was not problem because the snow outside the main track was not powdery but rather was firm and easy to run on.
The Big Foot website says; What if there is no snow?? WHAT? It would be the first time if there wasn’t. There will be snow … but, if there isn’t, YOU WILL 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! If there’s no snow, bring your trail shoes, the race goes on no matter what the conditions! How cool is that! There will be an elite corral option at the start for participants who expect to snowshoe sub 30 minutes in the 5K and sub 60 minutes in the 10K.
Big Foot sponsors are Fleet Feet Running Shoes and Gear, Michigan Fitness Foundation and Dion Snowshoes.
Location: Timber Ridge Campground. What To Bring For The Event? Snowshoes, if you own your own. Running/trail shoes. Gloves, hat,(you’re going to be covered in snow!) Long tights or waterproof/breathable pants. Snow Shoe Rental: (We had a limited # of snowshoes available, so make sure you sign up early if you need to rent snowshoes!!
Awards: Overall awards for the top 3 male & female finishers of the 5k and 10k distance based on gun time. Age Group awards will go 3 deep in all 5 year age categories. Age group awards are based on chip time. Hotels and other accommodations are available in the area. An event video is available on our website. Providing your e-mail address will allow us to send you important information about this event via e-mail. Your e-mail will not be shared or sold but it will be added to the RF Events e-mail list to keep you informed about our upcoming events. You can unsubscribe from our e-mails at any time. If you don’t want to miss race information please wait until after Bigfoot! If you are already unsubscribed from our e-mail list, you may re-subscribe at rfevents.com in the top right corner of the web page. Results were competently scored by RF Events is available to score your event.
Now we meet some runners. I could not speak to every runner but following are some runners and walkers I talked with. Many of these runners are “winners” of the race, not necessarily, because they are the fastest runners, but because they are “winners” of the game, we call “life”. They have beaten some of life’s challenges. Running and exercise are an important aspect of living a good life. We learn one of the important reasons for races such as The Big Foot, is being a better person and surviving life’s challenges.
Our first “winner” was not at the race. Jamie Boase, age 45, from Oxford, runs often with her daughter, Everly, age 4, in a backpack or bike trailer. Everly is a downs syndrome child. Although not present for this event, Everly is a “winner” of the Bigfoot race. Everly accompanied her mom in the Zoodemage. A 51 mile event. Stephanie Boledovich, age 41, who runs for mental clarity, often accompanies them as does, Jeff Beckett, age 69, of Keego Harbor. Hopefully, I will meet Everly to interview her at an area event.
Another “winner” is Eliana Villasenor, age 4, who ran with her mom, Maribel, age 40. Eliana completed her race in fine style. Dave Mathews, age 70, from Grayling, announced the event in his unique style. Dave is a “winner” because he has finished 30 marathons and recently completed a swim around Mackinaw Island both feats memorialized in tattoos on his arms. “Winner”, Jim Frixen ran his usual fast pace. Jim is an incredible runner having suffered a heart attack 13 years ago. Gary Lake, from Frankfort, is the famous “Bayer Aspirin Man” featured in TV ads across the world because Gary took Bayer Aspirin to assist him to recover from 5 bypasses and other serious heart issues. Gary often wins his age group in races. Of course, every race needs a gorilla and surprising us appearing on the toughest hill was Paul Leonard, dressed in full gorilla costume.
“Winner”, Gary Buczkowski, age 68, from Williamsburg, received a pig heart valve ten years ago. The pig valve failed three years ago and was replaced by a cow valve. Gary is smiling today. He even ate ham for breakfast, and competes in races such as the Bigfoot. Gary’s sciatic nerve is painful but he has started using a leg exercise I showed him last year at the Bigfoot to achieve sciatic pain relief. Gary’s wife, Lisa, age 67, ran a fine race. Dan Brickman, age 63, suffered back surgery because of a herniated disc several years ago. He also had serious sciatica. Running helps him by stretching his legs. His wife, Mary Kay, age 60, ran with him. The “winners” keep coming. Christopher Handsy, age 56, from Gross Point Woods, suffered from severe depression. Christopher says, “I tried everything to relieve depression including meds and counseling. Nothing worked until I tried running and physical exercise. Running did the trick and eliminated my depression. I recommend running to anyone suffering from depression.” Christopher was accompanied by Anne Mariene, age 53, from Troy, a retired professional dancer, who needed something to keep her in good physical condition. Kyle Kiel, age 42, ran an exceptional race. Kyle was the overall winner. Simon Iregbu, age 53, a member of the Macomb Triathlete Club, enjoyed the Bigfoot, as did Doreen, age 55. Joe Coleman, ran on borrowed snowshoes and in spite of painful sciatica, enjoyed his victory. Ginny Mikita, who’s mom and I were childhood friends on Long Lake, beat me like a drum. Rick Williams, age 76, from Milford, had the quad tendon in his knee replaced. Reinhard Staebler, age 63, of Rochester Hills, realized at age 50, he needed to start getting serious about exercise, so he started running with a club. Merium Glock, age 56, runs for mental health. Ulrike Preder, age 60, has lost weight through running. Kate Gale, 51, of Kalamazoo, was entered but did not run today. Gina McNeil, age 51, ran the Bigfoot. Also joining her was Laurie Crossman, age 61. Laurie Kirchhoff, age 65, a retired elementary teacher, was the big “winner” of this group of friends. Laurie had high hereditary 300 count cholesterol resulting in surgery requiring five bypasses ten years ago. Laurie says; “Get up and get moving. Your life is not a dress rehearsal.”
Chiropractor Dr. Trevor Darnell, celebrated his 50th birthday winning the master’s competition. Trevor’s wife surprised him by attending the race and by bringing a large birthday cake so everyone could celebrate. Trevor uses two chiropractor associates to keep him in condition for these races.
It is amazing that more area races do not invite Happy Planet Running to assist diverting the race waste products away from the landfill. Owner Jeff Jackson, says: “Run a great race. Leave no trace”. Jeff and his crew consisting of wife Joyce, Mallory McComb and Sue Harris diverted 100% of the waste created by this race away from landfills. Bay Area Recycling for Charities found a home for the waste.
The GO BLUE award was shared by several runners wearing the colors of the Maize and Blue. Caitlyn Hynek, age 25, of Garden City was dressed in the right colors. Kelly Kendall, age 48, of Jackson, was joined by her friends all dressed in Maize and Blue. Joining Kelly were, Jamie Ptendley, age 44, Christy Palmer, age 47, Larry Howard, age 46 and Angel Howard, age 46.
RF Events hope to see you next year for the Big Foot Race. We hope to see Randy Step, race originator, who was facing physical difficulties. Remember to consult your medical team before starting any physical activity.
Mickey Fivenson, your author, age 81, (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. He was awarded the Silver Beaver, scouting’s highest adult honor. Mickey was a leader in the father’s rights group. Fathers for Equal Rights and a presenter in the single parent’s group, Beginning Experience. 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. Mickey finished the race first in his age group, 80-84.
Traverse City Runner 