Definition of 25: an arbitrary number to celebrate an arbitrary milestone. In our 25 years of publishing Michigan Runner, we've seen people contribute to running in many ways: founding clubs or stores, coaching, volunteering, directing races ... Our thanks to readers who have helped us select our top 25 contributors. We'll take a look at media contributions to road-racing in the January/February 2004 issue of Michigan Runner. Final choices are ours alone.

Club Mainstays

Ed and Sue Kozloff, Motor City Striders
Ed is starting his 29th year as president of Detroit's running club. Sue, his sole and soul mate, keeps a lower profile but has been with Ed every fartlek of the way.

"Ed was there when we used to pay $1 to run at Belle Isle and Popsicle sticks were handed out at the end," recalls Gary Wolfram. "He made the Detroit Free Press Marathon in the early years. Ed was the premier race director for a couple of decades."

Judging from reader comments, Ed and Sue have earned a spot on our cover.

Bob Figuli, Upper Peninsula Road Runners Club

Bob is the glue of a running club serving an area larger than Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut combined. Since starting in 1970, he has run almost 100,000 miles.

Bob's "superior" feats include running around Lake Superior. It took him 20 days, over two years, to circum-ambulate Gitche Gumee, which he celebrated after by jumping into a pile of sand.

Tune to Michigan Runner TV this fall, when we bring you Bob Figuli who has run MORE than 100,000 miles.

Mark Bauman, Riverbend Striders

Mark, who started running in 1966, launched what may have been Michigan's first running store in 1978 when he opened his garage to the world of commerce. It was a step up from looking at gear displayed in his car trunk.

Mark has contributed time to Flint's Riverbend Striders and as a mentor for the Crim Festival of Races. He's bused runners to the Boston Marathon start line for many years.

He has run all the Crims, more than 120 marathons and logs better than 3,000 miles a year. Look out Bob Figuli, Mark's closing in.

Al Kayner, Bay Area Runners Club

Al was the pioneer shaker-and-mover in Bay City's running scene. He was one of the first state directors to put on a race for charity, and is credited with inspiring then-state House speaker Bobby Crim to launch Flint's Crim Festival of Races.

In October 2001 Al crossed life's finish line. The Bay Area Runners Club honored him, changing the name of its St. Patrick's Day runs to the Al Kayner St. Pat's Races.

Honorable Mention: Gordon Shafer (Mid Michigan Track Club, Lansing), Jackie DeVose (USATF-Michigan), Robin Sarris Hallop (RRCA-Michigan); Marlene Sundberg, Ed and Peg Deyo (Bay Area Runners Club), Grand Rapids Track Club (now Grand Rapids Running Club).

National and World Influence

Keith and Kevin Hanson

Photo of Keith Hanson by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studio.

The brothers were recently featured on page one of the Wall Street Journal for funding an Olympic-development program from their own pockets. Team Hansons offers top post-collegians jobs, health insurance, housing, coaching, training partners, travel and moral support. Team USA cites it as a model.

Photo of Kevin Hanson by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studio.

"You must include Kevin and Keith for their tireless dedication to improving the Michigan running scene over the last 10 years," says reader Dave Weaver.

"I cite their Olympic-development program, high-school coaching successes, four Hansons running stores, race sponsorships and training programs for runners of all abilities.

"They are great people with a dedication to running," Weaver says.

Bobby Crim, Lois Craig, Sherlyn Everly
Dolores Hensley, Bobby Crim at Crim 10 Mile finish line. Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

It all started when then-state House speaker Crim assigned Craig, his administrative assistant, to create a fund-raiser for the Michigan Special Olympics.

Lois learned a lot from directing her first Crim Road Race in 1977. She went on to involve the whole Flint community, bring elite athletes to the 10-mile race, add an 8K, 5K and Teddy Bear Trot and raise millions for Special Olympics during 17 years at the race's helm. In the process, she and Crim made decisions transcending the sport. See Greg Meyer's account : '81 Crim: Sports Milestone.

Photo (l): Lois Craig, (r) Sherlyn Everly

When Sherlynn took over as Crim director, she checked out its training program firsthand, then ran her first 5K. She now shares her organizational knowledge as a board member for Running USA, which promotes road racing and developing US runners.

Bobby Crim was -- and is -- a committed runner. His 1:31:30 in last year's 10-miler ranked him fifth among men ages 70-74 in MR's 2002 "Best of Times."

Mike Burns and Dave Simms
Photo (l): Mike Burns

The two men, who worked for Burns Computer Services in Ann Arbor, were paying attention when ChampionChip-transponder technology was developed by Dutch runners for their Seven Hills Run in Nijmegen, then used in the 1994 Berlin Marathon.

Mike and Dave landed the North American distribution rights to the technology, then contracts to use it in the spring 1996 Los Angeles Marathon and 100th Boston Marathon shortly after.

Photo (l): Dave Simms.

The now-familiar ChampionChips provide runners with accurate timing and quick results heretofore unheard of.

Race directors appreciate this of course, but Dave is quick to point out that technology does not replace human effort. "I can help a good race director be better. I can't make a bad race director a good one with the ChampionChip," he says. Mike and Dave jet-set around North America for their business, but you'll still find them at the finish line of key state events each year.

John and Anne Gault
The Flushing couple embraced and evangelized chip-timing early, changing how races were done in Michigan, then Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts and other states. Gault Race Management became timer of choice for the 100th Boston Marathon, U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and NCAA cross-country races.

John manages the finish line, Anne the technology. John works with Riverbend Striders producing dozens of races each year. As 1996-99 Crim director, Anne started the Festival's training program to introduce newcomers to the sport.

Honorable Mention: Do It Sports.

Pied Pipers

Ron Gunn
MR's first-ever Michigan Runner of the Year is director of wellness activities at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, where his cross country teams achieved national renown.

Ron has established one of our state's strongest running communities by creating and directing races such as Steve's Run. He and "solemate" Hal Higdon have led running trips to Hawaii and Bermuda, introducing thousands to these wonderful getaways.

Ron introduced Michiganders to courses with hay bales, logs and signs that make entrants grin as they edge up another of those tough hills. His zeal remains, as evinced by his battle cry "Fire Up!"

Randy Step
Randy's Running Fit stores now number seven, with the latest two opening in Traverse City. He has long been a running visionary who practices what he preaches, volunteering for and taking part in events.

Randy and his team have developed remarkable, complex races: Dances with Dirt and the Trail Marathon, both in Hell; Northville's Martian Marathon, and The Arctic Challenge series in East Lansing and Ann Arbor. This July, RF began sponsorship of the "Doug Kurtis Marathon Training Series," now showing on the Michigan Runner TV show.

"Randy Step has been the trail-racing version of Ed Kozloff," Wolfram says. "He has been a positive force in Michigan running for a long time."

Al Owens
It's just like Al Owens to dedicate his 1996 MR Contributor of the Year award "to all the race directors and volunteers who make this sport happen." Whether it's officiating at National Masters, NCAA, World Association of Veterans or Michigan high-school track meets, Al is quick with the smile, hug and praise.

Al helped organize the first River Bank Run in 1978 and continues to embody the fun in road racing. "Deep down," said Al at the RBR's 20th anniversary, "all of us who got the race going wanted it to be first-class and have staying power. The key has been the thousands of volunteers who have helped through the years." Few have done more for the race than Al.

Emily Gail and Herb Squires
Emily, who owned a downtown store, and her partner, Herb, were the go-go couple of 1980s running boom in Detroit. To address city image problems, they started the race-cum-party known as Emilyis Run, then sequels, all with the theme "Say Something Nice About Detroit."

They did promotional work by running Death Valley together and took part in Hawaii's Ironman.

Eventually Emily closed her store and moved to Hawaii without Herb. She returned here a couple of years ago, trying to break in on the Futures golf tour. Herb still lives in Canada, we presume.

Elmo Morales, Ann Arbor Track Club
A top miler at the University of Michigan, Elmo became a successful businessman and teacher, founded the Ann Arbor Track Club and was architect of the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run. "Elmo, says MR columnist Scott Hubbard, "has put race t-shirts on a ton of backs and encourages all he sees."

We'd assign the No. 1 bib in Ann Arbor running history to Elmo, as we would for Kayner in Bay City, George Kuhn in Traverse City, the Kozloffs in Detroit, Gunn in Southwest Michigan and Figuli in the Upper Peninsula.

Fred Valhala
"Relay Fred" organizes Front Line race teams, operates the team website and inspires runners of all abilities to try relays.

"Fred," says team-member Matt Smith, "has been dynamic in the creation, organization and maintenance of relay teams through the years. He is also responsible for entering athletes into the USATF cross-country nationals, USATF club nationals (track and cross, masters and open), college invitationals and hundreds of road races. He has done much to continue the joy of running and thrill of competing."

"Fred started me into running and relay racing in 1999," adds Marv Phelps. "I haven't stopped since, and I cannot thank Fred enough."

Tony Misfud
Tony has given to running for close to four decades, coaching teams at Southgate, Allen Park, Henry Ford Community College and the University of Michigan at Dearborn. He helped launch the Downriver Running Club and the Allen Park 5 and 10K, now in its 27th year. Consis- tently by his side has been his wife Jewell.

A car crash curtailed Tony's own running. Then he resumed and got hooked in the 1977 Detroit Free Press Marathon. "I had kids racing for a 10-or 15-mile workout," he remembers. "As I approached the 15-mile mark, I heard the 'Rocky' theme playing and got so fired up I decided to go on. I crossed the finish line in 2:59 and collapsed. Ed Kozloff helped me up. It was quite a moment."

Tony has retired from Allen Park Schools, but still donates time coaching at Dearborn Divine Child.

Girls on The Run
This fitness- and confidence-building program for third- through fifth-grade girls has been a success in Holland, Ann Arbor, Leelanau County, North Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Three Rivers, Whitehall, Isabella County, Birmingham-Covington and Cadillac.

Volunteers spend 10 to 12 weeks coaching workouts and activities with the goal of having each girl finish a 5K at the end. In the process, children are encouraged to grow emotionally, socially and academically.

A North Carolina Ironwoman founded GOTR seven years ago; countless Michigan volunteers make it go. In the Holland program's first year, 391 girls enrolled and 364 finished their first 5K. Cadillac's GOTR involved 285 girls. Other areas have enjoyed similar success.

Honorable Mention: Chris Crowell and Bruce Johnson of Gazelle Sports, Dave Howell of Total Runner, Curt Munson of Playmakers, Kermit Ambrose (coach, camp), Jeff Gaft of Running Fit Airport, Traverse City, Steve Webster of Striders, Ann Boyd Stewart of Athletic Ventures.

Communities

City and Citizens of Flint
Flint has long been a national model for community involvement. Its support for the Crim Festival of Races is case in point. Under the past and present guidance of Bobby Crim, Lois Craig, John Haust, Anne Gault, Sherlynn Everly, the Riverbend Striders, Dean Howe of the Flint Journal, Jim Gaver of the WUOM and the citizens of Flint, the event has earned world attention.

Flint is where schools stay open to serve the entire community. Where kids are involved in so many activities it was natural they'd support a running movement within their schools. And they have. That's Flint.

Frankenmuth Jaycees and the Volkslaufe
The Jaycees' creed, "Service to humanity is the best work of life," has its young men and women leaders taking on projects to better their communities. The Volkslaufe, a July 4 series of races and celebration -- is such an effort.

For decades, Frankenmuth Jaycees have welcomed people from everywhere to join them for the holiday. They supply a great night of fireworks, lodging, food, beer, cheerful music and races with a professional air that is second to none. Come see.

Dolores and Harrison Hensley
They volunteer at so many races that traveling runners feel like they're home at all. There's nothing quite like that moment at the Crim 10-mile when Dolores gives you a hug and medal. She never seems to mind sweaty runners.

"Dolores has worked every race for as long as I can remember," says Dave Peterson. "Rain or shine." And those flyers that magically appear at many races in Southeast Michigan? "Harrison sets up and distributes entry forms at nearly every race they attend," Dave adds. "They promote everyone's events."

Harrison puts on the Run Thru Hell 10-mile and 4.8-mile "weenie race" (as he calls it), which are famous for their t-shirts and courses.

Honorable Mention: Phil Loomis, Mike McGlynn and JARDA (Jackson Area Race Directors Association).

Spirit of a Race

Neil Shine, Motor City Striders, Detroit Free Press, Pat Ball, Doug Kurtis
There is a shine to Neil Shine, Detroit Free Press publisher when the paper took on sponsorship of the old Motor City Marathon. Together, The Freep and Motor City Striders laid the foundation for what became the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon.

While the Striders' role has lessened, the race has gained energy in recent years from director Pat Ball, "Mr. Marathon" Doug Kurtis and expo head Bill Ewing. Plus Flagstar Bank has signed on of late as a sponsor. The new blood, combined with old, continue to make this two-country marathon shine.

Jeannie Bocci
OK, every director who's guided the same race 32 years, take one step forward ... Thank you, Jeannie Bocci. Now the rest of you can go home.

Jeannie has put on the Belle Isle New Years Eve Run since its inception. Thousands of us have won trophies there just by finishing. Jeannie has hung in there with generous sponsors and no sponsors, through foul and fair weather, with helpful and non-helpful island officials, during times when runners have shown up by the thousands and times (like in Y2K) when they've not.

Through it all has been her resolve to make sure everyone who comes to Belle Isle starts out their New Year right.

Norma Harger
Norma guided the landmark Pictured Rocks 11-Mile Road Race from its start in 1976 until 1996, when a large crowd turned out to say farewell.

Pictured Rocks' course is challenging, brash, forgiving and alluring. Host-city Munising is warm-hearted to all visitors, just like Norma. And just like Norma, other volunteers have picked up the challenge: the race, in its 29th year, goes on.

Mark Nader
Pietro's Run Fasta Eat Pasta was a different race with a different name. The Grand Rapids 5K drew elite runners with its prize money. But thousands more took part because it was fun.

"Mark, the founding director of Pietro's, built it from nothing into one of America's top 100 road runs, according to Runner's World magazine," says MR editor Scott Sullivan. "He introduced kids runs and diaper dashes to West Michigan, held pre-race pasta feasts and expos, split men's and women's races so each would receive attention, recruited Kenyans, Russians and U.S. Olympic hopefuls.

He loved runners, was exuberant and a pioneer," Scott says. Mark died at age 38 in 2002. Pietro's ceased sponsoring the race after 15 years, but others have launched a new 5K in his memory.

George Kuhn and Mickey Fivenson
The National Cherry Festival 15K was envisioned by the Traverse City Track Club, led for 35 years by George. Mickey, a notorious TV pitchman in the late '70s and early '80s, picked up a sponsorship and added his name to the race's title. Mickey was always pushing to get the race more commercialized, while George tried to keep the marketers away and give the run a more purist spin.

Mickey was zany, George no-nonsense: the perfect odd couple. The race grew to be the success it remains today.

Old Kent and Fifth Third Banks, Greg Meyer, Kristen Aidiff
The Fifth Third (formerly Old Kent) River Bank Run in Grand Rapids draws top world and athletes trying to set records at its rarely-run 25K distance. But most of the race's thousands of participants each year are drawn by its quality. Fifth Third continues Old Kent's tradition of hiring first-rate leaders, including longtime director Kristen and Greg, a seven-time winner who recruits elites and promotes the event each year.

The River Bank Run, in its 26th year, is one of our nation's best.

Honorable Mention: Eldon "Pete" Moss (Crystal Lake Team Marathon), Bob Baril and Nick Papas (Great Lakes Relay), Anne Forshee Crane (Ellen's Run), Jim Zanglin (Zanglin Downriver Run), St. Ignace Kiwanis (Mackinac Island Eight-Mile), Muskegon Chronicle (Chronicle Seaway Run), Joe Smetanka (Metro Macomb Running Series). MR