“Irish You Good Luck”, says the opening line on the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K, 2024 website. About 850 runners, walkers, dogs and baby carriages ran in this exciting edition of a long standing tradition to welcome the Traverse City Spring. The race was directed by two National Cherry Festival Interns, Jordan DeLisle and McKenzie McAvoy more than ably assisted by National Cherry Festival Retail Director, Jessica Hodges.
The website also says; We need sham-rockin’ volunteers! We wouldn’t be able to do this race without your important help! I could not speak with all sham-rockin’ volunteers but following are a few race volunteers I spoke with Colleen Schereur, and Bill O’mally were course marshals. Todd McCall announced and started the race in his colorful Irish clothing. Todd has announced the race for all 14 years. Todd and I became acquainted several years ago, as we were both leaders in the Boy Scout Council and good friends with Deal Carey and Mark Ewing, scout executives. Julie Hardy and Rose Thenphend were volunteers in the registration area. John Hardy was everywhere helping in various areas. Jim Cech competently compiled all results for Classic Race Management of Grand Rapids.
The website also says; What is the Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K? Grab your green and throw on those lucky socks for the 14th annual Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K foot race! Can you outrun the Leprechaun on March 16, 2024? The web site adds; Why Run? It’s a St Paddy’s, Traverse City Tradition! Each Racer Will Receive A T-Shirt, Accurate Timing, three deep Age Group Award Medals, a complimentary beer at Brady’s Bar** (Please Drink Responsibly) and terrific snacks including fresh baked cookies, bananas and GOGO Squeeze applesauce! **Must Be 21 or Over To Claim Beer.
Celebrate the 14th year of the Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5k with a course that started on Lake Ave in Old Town Traverse City and an after-party at Brady’s Bar. The LL5K is hosted by The Festival Foundation and sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Brady’s Bar. Pet Smart was well represented by Abagail Lundquist, who handed out free pet premiums and her dog, Maggie, a friendly, four year old Hungarian Pumi.
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 will receive an LL5K T-shirt, professionally timed results, a beer (please drink responsibly) at Brady’s Bar, carbs at the finish line, and age group medals will be awarded for first to third place. So grab your green and throw on those lucky socks for the Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K foot race sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Brady’s Bar, WTCM 103.5 Today’s Country Music and Sheren Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
Results are available at this link; Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K 2024 results .
Timing Services were provided by Classic Race Management.
Now we meet some runners. I could not speak to every runner but following are some runners and walkers with whom I talked. 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 Leapin Leprechaun 5K, is being a better person and surviving life challenges.
The first “winner” I had the honor of speaking with is a remarkable woman who epitomizes overcoming huge challenges and beating huge odds. Leslee Fritz, age 55, of Rockford, has reduced her medication for stress by running. But more important, Leslee has overcome the challenges of alcoholism. For 20 years, Leslee has been a recovering alcoholic and has not had a drinking problem. Exercise is one of the weapons that helped her overcome this dreaded disease. Congratulation to Leslee. You are a “winner”. You may not be the fastest runner, but you epitomize all that is important to the sport of running. You exemplify the importance of races such as the Leapin Leprechaun. Wishing you continued good health and looking forward to our next race together.
Keith Revolt, age 62 of Traverse City is another “winner”. Keith beat prostate cancer. His A1C count is Zero. Keith needs follow-ups with his doctor only every six months. You are a true “winner”, Keith. Dave Christianson beat me again in our age group, 80+. 10 years ago, Dave was warned by his doctor to never run because of serious back surgery. Unbelievably, Dave achieves his incredible speed by race walking. Keep up the remarkable work, Dave. Joe Coleman, age 60, of Interlochen, normally beats me. Today I beat him. I asked him after the race what happened? Joe said he has a painful herniated disc in his back, which drastically slows him down. If that is not enough, Joe has been fighting painful planter facetious and a sore hamstring. But Joe prevails and completes the race. Joe, you may be slower, today, but you are still a “winner”.
Jim Hirtreiter, age 72, of Traverse City, is a “winner” and exemplifies the importance of races such as the Leapin Leprechaun. Jim is running on a replaced hip and he has suffered from prostate cancer for the last 7 years. Races and exercise help Jim battle his challenges. Jim, keep up the good work. Jim and I were business associates in my former life.
Bill Swift, age 80, of Traverse City, is a “winner”. Bill competed with five heart stints as a result of recent heart surgery. Keep up the good work, Bill. His bride, Mary, age 68, beat me again. Mary’s remarkable story is that she has a seriously strained back, which stopped her from many activities. Mary, you are a remarkable “winner”. It’s an honor to be beaten by you. Rhonda Workman, of Mesick, age 69, is an Army Veteran. Thanks, Rhonda for your service. Rhonda ran this race in her usual fast time, beating me and many others. What is remarkable is that Rhonda has been fighting knee pain for several months.
Dave Mathews, age 70, from Grayling, ran with Jamie Curtis, age 57. Dave has completed 30 marathons and a swim around Mackinaw Island both of which are commemorated with arm tattoos. Thanks for being you, Dave. Dave is a well-known race announcer. You can announce my race any time! Adrian Russell age 43, from Traverse City, is training to run the Bay Shore half marathon. Emma Guzinski, age 6, of TC is one of our youngest runners. She is a Cherry Festival Princess representing Lake Ann Elementary School. Andy Merek, age 51, is a most unusual runner. Last year, he ran the 5K dressed in his complete firefighter uniform including the air tank. This year, Andy ran as a, well you be the judge, in a blow-up costume, a full body costume depicting a pig or a bear or whatever. Andy, you bring lots of pleasure to many folks during the race. Daryl Fritchy, age 54, is from Champaign, IL. He ran with wife, Kim. Dan Troutman, age 73, lost 15# through exercise. Russell Whitney, age 60, walked the course and won the costume contest. He was dressed in all Irish green and won a nice pair of Irish-green sox. His wife, Karen, age 58, accompanied him.
I met a fellow scuba diver in the race. How did I know he is a diver? Because he had a scuba patch tattooed on his Calf. Richard Enoch, age 43, from Northport, has dove all over the world in many of the same dive sites as me. We were able to trade dive “lies”. His favorite dive site is Roaten. I’d love to dive in Roaten, if Richard will take me…. Haha. Carman Beemer, age 22, lives in East Lansing and attends Michigan State University as a senior in horticultural management. She ran cross-country and played soccer in high school and plays on an intermural team at MSU. Sarah& Deb (Mom) Pajar, ran the race and were at the race end with their beautiful Golden Doodles, siblings Hank and Hazel, both age two.
And now we come to our last “winner”, Steve Harris, age 82, from Traverse City. I edged out Steve at the finish. We were running in the same age group. Steve was a trial lawyer and used the sport of running to help him relax before and during a trial. Low cost relaxation, high cost attorney! Keep up the great work, Steve.
The Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K race directors’ hope you enjoyed the event and you will join us next year. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.
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. He was a board member of the Michigan Anti-defamation League and a member of the Young Leadership Cabinet. 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 33 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.
Traverse City Runner 