Race director Jeremy Guggemos welcomed runners to the 2024 edition of the Wood Memorial Trout Run. Runners enjoyed lovely weather and beautiful countryside. My experience was unique, to say the least. A course marshal left early. I missed his turning directions near the end of the race. If it had not been for a kind sheriff deputy who brought me to the finish line in a sheriff’s vehicle, I would still be running.
The website says; Join the Kalkaska Cross Country and Track and Field teams as we present the return of the Wood Memorial Trout Run! The Wood Memorial Trout Run commemorates Chad Wood and his father Stafford. Chad was an avid runner and a youth leader in many ways. Stafford was a collegiate runner and ran countless races and marathons, who was one of Kalkaska’s treasured teachers, coaches, and administrators. In their memory, proceeds from the race are used to help fund the Kalkaska High School Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Stafford’s grandchildren and Chad’s niece and nephews have been avid runners; this race is a great way to pay homage to this family that has supported the Kalkaska Community over the years.
Early packet pickup was on April 26th in the Middle School gym lobby. Race day check-in started at 7:00am and ended at 8:15am on April 27th. If you brought a Furry Friend to race with you, please help us keep things tidy. Dogs must remain on-leash at all times and please clean up after them too. We are allowing pets on school grounds this year because there were many requests last year
The Wood Memorial Trout Run could not exist without the generous support of sponsors. Sponsors of the Wood Memorial Trout Run 2024 are; BMW of Traverse City, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, 4Front Credit Union, Coldbrook Insurance Group, Northland Food, C.C. Power Electrical Contracting. Subie Guys and Youth Advisory Council – Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
The race was competently timed by Doug Brandt of Epic Timing. Doug even stayed to record my time after my “lapse” of running directions. .Results are available at this link; Wood Memorial Trout Run, Results 2024 . Runners enjoyed fruit and cookies after the race provided by Northland Foods. MMMM good.
The races benefited the Kalkaska Cross Country team and Kalkaska Track and Field.
The GO BLUE award was won by Derek Henning, age 34 of Boyne City. Derek more than deserves the GO BLUE award because Derek was a University of Michigan Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field star for three years. Derek ran the 1500 meter and 5K distansas as a varsity member. He more than earned his varsity letter. Of all the GO BLUE awards I have given over the years interviewing runners, I finally interviewed a true GO BLUE winner. Derek’s wife, Carina, age 34, runs for stress relief. Carina is a singer, and performed on cruise ships. Derek ran cross country and track at Petoskey High School under Hall of Fame Coach Donald R. Dickmann. Coach Dickmann’s Grandsons (Asher Guggemos and Gavin Guggemos) ran in the 5k race and his granddaughters (Eliza and Jenika Guggemos) ran in the 1mile Fun Run.
We wouldn’t be able to do this race without important help! I could not speak with all Wood Memorial Trout Run volunteers but following are race volunteers I spoke with such as Ryan and Erin Moore. Erin is the sister of Chad Wood and the daughter of Stafford Wood. The Moore’s helped in registration and at the end of the race. Jeremy Guggemos’s bride, Donna helped in registration and passed out medals at the end of the race. His twin girls, Eliza, age 9, and Jenika, oddly enough also age 9, helped with the fun run. And if that is not enough, Jeremy’s son, Gavin, a senior at Kalkaska High School, and star of the cross country and track teams with a personal best time of 4:29 for the mile, won the 5K.. Gavin is committed to Lake Superior State University to run cross country and track in the fall. The guy is lightning fast. Gavin ran with Adam Williams and Camden Moore (grandson of Stafford Wood), who are also a seniors at Kalkaska High School and a members of the XC and track teams and also very fast. Our miler at Traverse City Central 70 years ago was far slower than either of these 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 Wood Memorial Trout Run, is being a better person and surviving life challenges.
The first “winner” I had the honor of speaking with is Max Tracey, age 78, from Mancelona. Max is a retired pastor, and is a “winner” because he suffered a heart attack twenty years ago and a collapsed lung eight years ago. Max, says running “helps keep him alive”. Max recommends exercise to everyone, with doctor’s permission. Max’s friend, Bill Ahrenberg, age 71, from Cheboygan, is a prostate cancer survivor. Bill had prostate surgery 2 years ago. Bill, who’s family doctor is one of his running buddies and encouraged exercise, said “Just exercise. You will feel better because of exercise.” Dave Maddix, age 70, of Gaylord, has his many marathon completions embellished with a tattoo on his arm. Dave also swam around Mackinaw Island, a feat which became a tattoo on his other arm. Todd Stockford, age 52, of Parker, Colorado, near Denver, ran a very fast race. Todd is a “winner” because he was best friend with Chad Wood. Todd benefits from running because the effort is relaxing and improves his outlook.
Terry Wilson, age 77, from Central Lake, is another “winner” because running helps his serious digestive issues and also aids his sore knees. Terry runs with knee braces on each knee to assist with pain and keep his knees in place. Gayle Harbaugh, age 59, from Boyne City, is a “winner” because Gayle is fighting genetically induced high cholesterol. Looking at Gayle you would never guess her cholesterol is 280. Before she exercised, her cholesterol was over 350! Now he eats healthy and recommends chia seeds and other healthy supplements. Gayle is succeeding at lowering her blood count. Doug Fry, age 67, from Kalkaska, is a world runner. In addition to being a missionary in Portugal and Africa for over 40 years, Doug has completed 95 marathons and many ultra-marathons. Doug’s favorite soccer team, Sporting, is leading the Portuguese league. Doug has been at many events with the world famous footballer, Cristiano Renaldo. Doug’s personal best for a marathon is 3:05. Not too shabby!!
Race director, Jeremy Guggemos hopes you enjoyed the races and you will join him 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. Wrong way and all, Mickey finished second in his age group, 75+, for the 10K. He turned 82, the next day. Happy birthday to me!!!
Traverse City Runner 