MICHIGAN RUNNING NEWS - April 2, 2003 - v.2, no.22

Sponsored by:

Forest City Road Races, London, Ontario http://www.forestcityroadraces.com

The Great Race, Elkhart, Indiana http://www.thegreatrace.net

The Borgess Run http://borgessrun.com

The Crim Festival of Races http://crim.org

2003 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon http://www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com

Dundee Internet Services http://dundee.net

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__/ GRAND RAPIDS ULTRA MARATHONER CHALLENGES SONORAN DESERT

__/ ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GALYAN'S NORTHVILLE SOLSTICE RUN

__/ 2004 DISNEY HALF CLOSED BUT YOU CAN STILL REGISTER FOR THE MARATHON

__/ TCF ARBOR DASH OFFERS PRIZE MONEY

__/ RUNNING NETWORK TV: GREAT WALL MARATHON

__/ MICHIGAN RUNNER TV SCHEDULE OF SHOWS

__/ RACE CALENDAR

Jennie McCafferty-Editor

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__/ GRAND RAPIDS ULTRA MARATHONER CHALLENGES SONORAN DESERT

I first wondered about Bob Johnson when I saw him running the Crim 10 mile several years ago. On a hot August day, he was wearing long pants, a dark sweatshirt and a backpack. It turns out that Bob was training for the 150 Marathon des Sables in the Saraha Desert of Morocco. Once he completed that race in April 2000, Bob took on the Badwater, 135 non-stop miles through California's Death Valley with a conclusion 8,300 feet up Mt. Whitney.

This year, Bob is attempting a 250 mile solo crossing of the Sonoran Desert of extreme southwest Arizona. He expects the crossing to take 72-96 non-stop hours. I don't suppose Bob would want to stop since he'll be trying to avoid the rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widows he'll encounter in the Sonoran Desert. Johnson runs to support research for a cure for Parkinson's disease, which has afflicted his mother Helen for the last 20 years.

__/ ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GALYAN'S NORTHVILLE SOLSTICE RUN

The new 5K race in Northville is generating significant buzz among Southeast Michigan runners. Race Director Alan Whitehead and title sponsor Galyan's are expecting a crowd for the fast, flat, certified course through Northville on June 21. One reason might be the telecast: Comcast will telecast the Solstice 5K throughout the Detroit Metro area, date to be determined. Easy convenient, online registration is open now at http://www.signmeupsports.com/15969/

__/ 2004 DISNEY HALF CLOSED BUT YOU CAN STILL REGISTER FOR THE MARATHON

The 2004 Walt Disney World Half Marathon filled to capacity in a record breaking 12 days, but all is not lost if you want to get in on the 2004 Marathon Weekend. The marathon and 5K are still open. See http:// www.disneyworldsports.com/marathonroadraces. To book a travel package, call Disney Sports travel at (407) 939-7810.

If you think the Disney magic is only for kids, check out Scott Sullivan's wonderful race report of his experience at the 2003 Walt Disney World Weekend in the March/April Michigan Runner, online at http:// www.michiganrunner.net/news/disney0303.html.

__/ TCF ARBOR DASH OFFERS PRIZE MONEY

The TCF Arbor Dash is celebrating its eighth running on April 19 with a new twist this year. The 5K run at Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek has been a traditional kick-off to the race season in Battle Creek. For the first time ever, a $1,000 cash purse will be offered to the top three overall winners in both male and female divisions of the 5K run. In addition, there will be prizes awarded for winners in the male, female and masters divisions valued at $5,000. For more information call (269) 969-0270.

__/ RUNNING NETWORK TV: GREAT WALL MARATHON

Running Network reporters and cameras will be traveling north of Beijing to the Great Wall Marathon in China in May 2003. Check this preview of the marathon with spectacular views and 3800 steps on the Great Wall. For more information check the Website of event organizer Kathy Loper (http://kathyloperevents.com) or email kathy@kathyloperevents.com. http://michiganrunner.tv __/ MICHIGAN RUNNER TV SCHEDULE OF SHOWS

The Michigan Runner TV Show (http://michiganrunner.tv) is featuring the following Internet Television shows this season. Some shows are also featured on the Running Network (http://runningnetwork.com).

**Interviews**

Dick Beardsley- Staying The Course (Now Showing)

Keith and Kevin Hanson-Olympic Development Program Part I (Now Showing)

Nancy Clark-Food Guide for Marathon Runners (Now Showing)

Frank Shorter-Catching the Cheaters (Now Showing)

John Goodridge-Coaching College Distance Runners

Keith and Kevin Hanson-Olympic Development Program Part II

Allan Steinfeld-Directing the New York Marathon (Now Showing)

Mark Will-Weber- The Quotable Runner

Collette Liss- Training for World Cross Country Championships

Shaun Creighton- LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle Defending Champion

Rod DeHaven- 2000 Olympic Marathoner

Carey Pinkowski- Directing the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon

**Events**

Michigan Indoor Track Series Championship (High School) (Now showing)

Shamrock Shuffle-Chicago, IL (Now Showing)

Great Wall Marathon (Now Showing)

Running Fit-Trail Marathon and Half Marathon-Pinckney, MI

Forest City Marathon and Half Marathon- London, Ontario

The Great Race-Elkart, IN

Heart Run-Washington, DC

Komen Race for the Cure(R), Detroit, MI

Crim Festival of Races, Flint, MI

Celebrate Westlake, Westlake, OH

Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank International Marathon

25th Annual Big Bird Run-Roseville, MI

Belle Isle 33rd New Years Eve Run, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI

__/ RACE CALENDAR

Saturday, April 5

* Flushing Township Run, 1/2 marathon, 5K, 9:30 am, http:// gaultracemanagement.com

Saturday, April 19

* Tax Trot, Flushing, 15KR, 10KR, 5KR/W, 10:00 am, Riverbend Striders, http://gaultracemanagement.com

* TCF Bank Arbor Dash, 5KR/W, Battle Creek, Jacki Gresly, (269) 969- 0722, ext. 116, http://leilaarboretumsociety.org

Monday, April 21

* Boston Marathon, Boston, 26MR, Noon, http:// www.bostonmarathon.org

Saturday, April 26

* Borgess Run for the Health of It, 1/2 marathon, 5KR/W, 5K judged racewalk, 8:40 am, Michigan Runner Race Series 1/2 Marathon, http:// www.borgessrun.com

* Road Ends Trail Run, 5MR, 9:00 am, Pinckney, http:// trailmarathon.com

Sunday, April 27

* Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, 26.2 MR, relays, 10KR, 8:20 am, http:// clevelandmarathon.com

* Running Fit Trail Marathon and Half Marathon, Pinckney, 8:00 am, http://trailmarathon.com

Wednesday, April 30

* The Fit 5K, Novi, 6:30 pm, http://runningfit.com

Sunday, May 4

* Dragon Dash, Orion Township, 8KR, 9:00 am, Jennifer Rowe, (248) 391.0304, x 140, oriontwp@voyager.net, http:// www.township.orion.mi.us

* Flying Pig Marathon, Cincinnati, 26.2 MR, 10KR, Wheelchair, 6:30 am, Rich Williams, (513) 721-7447, http://flyingpigmarathon.com

* Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh, 7:00 am, 26.2 MR, Team Relay, 5KR/ W, (412) 647-7866, http://pittsburghmarathon.org.

Saturday, May 10

* Fifth Third RiverBank Run, 25KR, 5KR/W, Grand Rapids, 8:00 am, Michigan Runner Race Series 25K, http://www.riverbankrun.com,

Sunday, May 11

* Forest City Road Races, London, Ontario, 26.2 MR and relay, 13.1 MR, 10KR and Race Walk, 5K, Family 2.5K, 8:00 am, Linda Findley, (519) 264-1705, Linda.findley@sympatico.ca, http:// www.forestcityroadraces.com

Saturday, May 24

* Fruitport Old-Fashioned Days Run, Fruitport, 9:30 am, Fruitport High School, 10KR, 5KR, Donald Wood, (231) 865-6273

Saturday, May 24-Monday, May 26

* The Great Race Sports Festival, Elkhart, IN, (574)-296-5890, http:// www.thegreatrace.net

Saturday, Jim Ryun Mile, 1M swim, 13M canoe/kayak

Sunday, Bike USCF/Criterium, canoe/kayak 10K marathon/sprints

Monday, 13MR, 10KR/W/Wheelchair, 5KR/W, 10K inline skate, 25K & 50K bike

Saturday, May 31 - Sunday, June 1

* Dexter Ann Arbor Run, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Track Club, 734.528.9485, director@dexterannarborrun.com, http:// dexterannarborrun.com

Saturday, 8:20 am, Walton & Weeden Kids Run, 50 yds to 1MR

Sunday, 8:20 am, 13.1 MR, 10KR, 5KR

Saturday, June 7

* Blue Water Hospice 5K and 10K River Run, 10KR, 5KR, 3MW, Marysville, 8:00 am, (810) 892-8809

* Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K, Grand Rapids, 9:00 am, 5K, Kids Run, Robert Hyde, (616) 890.1337, http://diemerrun.com

* Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, Mackinac Island, 10KR/W, 9:30 am, Riverbend Striders, (810) 659-6493, http:// www.gaultracemanagement.com

* Sunburst Marathon, South Bend, Indiana, 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 10KR, 5KR/W, (574) 284-3394, http://sunburstraces.org

Saturday, June 14

* Dodge Park 3.1 Mile Run, Sterling Heights, 8:30 am, (586) 446-2700

* Rose Run, 10KR, 5K$R, 4MW, Jackson, 8:00 am, Mike McGlynn, (517) 796-8485, http://www.athleticventures.com/, Michigan Runner Race Series 10K (1 of 2)

* Run for Youth, 25K, 5K Trail Run, Noquemanon Trail, Marquette, (906) 228-4932

Sunday, June 15

* Plymouth YMCA Fathers Day Run, 10KR, 5KR/W, 1MR/W, Triple (all three), Plymouth, kids run, Joanne McCarthy, (734) 453-2904

Saturday, June 21

* Solstice Run, 5KR/W, Kids FR, Northville, 7:45 am, Northville Parks and Recreation, (248) 349-0203, http://northvilleparksandrec.org, Register online: http://www.signmeupsports.com

* Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure(R)-Detroit, 5KR/W, Maureen Meldrum, (800)527-6266, http://www.karmanos.org/ raceforthecuredcetroit.com

Saturday, June 28

* Chronicle Seaway Run, 15KR, 5KR, Muskegon, 8:00 am, Chris Zahrt, (231) 725-6333, Michigan Runner Race Series 15K, http:// www.chroniclevents.com

* Reeds Lake Run, 10KR, 5KR, Grand Rapids, 8:00 am, Susan Perry, (616) 949-1750

* Standard Federal Bank 10K, 10KR, Lansing, 8:30 am, Carey Pinkowski, (877) 904-5408, http://standardfederalbank10K.com

Sunday, June 29

* Pictured Rocks Run for Shelter, 11MR, 5MR, Munising, 8:00 am, (906) 387-1751, http://roadrace.altercounty.com

Michigan Runner family of Websites:

Michigan Runner http://michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner Archives http://michiganrunner.com

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv

Running Network: http://runningnetwork.com