Photo: Running Fitis Randy Step (l) continues Detroit's tradition of Super Bowl races begun by Ed Kozloff (r) and the Motor City Striders.

By Art McCafferty

NOVI (2/5/06) -- Members of the Running Fit team took the 24-year-old hand-off from the Motor City Striders and put on the Super Bowl 5K Run at their Novi location. The race, which drew more than 400 runners, also had to brave remnants of a last-minute winter storm.

It was more than weather that made Detroit's 1982 Super Bowl Run the more difficult of the two. Tony Mifsud, who also ran the first run, noted running gear is much better now. Todayis high-tech gear is designed to keep out moisture and keep in heat o elements that enhanced the horrific conditions at the first run. Runners this year had plenty of relief facilities available, and a warm building to keep them out of the elements prior to and after the event.

Super Bowl XVI holds a place in the media hall of fame as one of the toughest events they have covered. As a running media member, I support that. Twenty-four years ago, I was one of many who were freezing waiting at Pine Knob, not only for the race to start but the appearance of Mariel Hemingway, who was promoting her new movie, "Personal Best." Alas, our starlet chose to stiff us all and remain in the cozy confines of her hotel bed.

Photo: Mother Nature provided a memorable setting for the Super Bowl 5K on Super Sunday XL

Running Fit's Randy Step made sure that the hand-off was complete by having Ed Kozloff, the starter of the first Super Bowl Run, as the starter for the second.

The race got off on time and proved a delightful way to begin Super Bowl Sunday for the 403 finishers. The course was cleared and well monitored, and there were plenty of goodies afterward. The Novi Running Fit store team of Step, Victor Sellinger, Steve Angerman and Susan Smith did a great job in a race that succeeded far better than they originally thought.

For the record, Ian Forsyth and Krys Brish were overall men's and women's winners. Times were not available as the timing clock froze. MR