Learning 'Wet 'n' Wild' at Johnson Creek
Photo: Frank Griffiths, 13, was men's runner-up in the Johnson Creek 5K trail run.

NORTHVILLE (5/20/06) - Before the third annual Johnson Creek 5K Trail Run, race coordinator Demetria Janus warned, "Expect to get muddy," and, "Remember extra shoes and clothes." Then she added, "especially after all this rain."

Although metro Detroit had been hit with 11 straight days of rain, race day dawned bright and clear, with temperatures near 50 degrees. In fact, it was eerie not seeing a single cloud in the sky. The course, however, was anything but dry.

The run was part of Johnson Creek Day festivities, designed, "to educate people about the only coldwater trout stream in the Rouge River watershed and only one of three in Southeast Michigan," Janus said. "In the past we have typically had about 100 runners and walkers enjoy the course."

Numbers were down this year, likely due to the rainy prelude. But the 56 entrants did "enjoy the course." Barely 50 yards into the run, the muck and water elicited the first screams. "Eek!"

Runners who were seeking PRs, had weak ankles or were squeamish about getting muddy were in the wrong race. Those wanting a pretty, challenging and different course were rewarded richly..

There were many twists, turns and switchbacks to go with the ups and downs. There were no hills to speak of, yet nothing seemed "flat and fast." Runners sloshed and slipped ("Don't fall in the creek!"). They ran through deeper woods ("Hey! It's dark in here!"). They hurdled and even climbed over branches and fallen tree trunks, some two or three feet high.

And, of course, they negotiated the normal ruts, rocks and roots of a trail run.

"This is tough," gasped Joe Fisher out on the course. The 47-year-old "just started running a couple months ago," he said. "This is my first trail race." He knew enough to wear older shoes, though.

Several times Fisher "tried to warn other runners about mud and water. But we were in it before we knew it.

"I like to run on different surfaces so I don't pound my body and get hurt," Fisher said.

"It was dirty out there," said men's winner Ryan Pletzke, 23, of Northville, who finished in 22:51. Second was Frank Griffiths, 13, a Meads Mill Middle School eighth-grader.

Griffiths, who has run 5:12 for the mile, hoped to break the 5:10 Meads Mill record before school ended, but prefers longer distances.

"This is my favorite race, no doubt about it!" he exclaimed.

Rachel Post, 26, is a Running Fit Northville classmate of Fisher's. "It's my second year here," she noted afterward. "It's fun. I feel like a steeplechaser, jumping over trees, fences and bridges. The creek is more substantial than it was last year."

Post ran and jumped well; she was the first female finisher. Also receiving awards were youngest finisher Jacob Engle, 13, and oldest finisher Richard Henningsen, 70.

Runners moved to the local Fish Hatchery Park for post-race awards, bagels, juice, hot dogs and soda. There were also displays to educate viewers about the watershed, flora and fauna.

For the younger ones, there was fishing in a stocked pond and a scavenger hunt that followed a children's fun run.

A beautiful morning was made even more so by the Trail 5K and festivities. If you are looking for a challenging, fun and low-key run, put this on your 2007 calendar.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at ron_marinucci@comcast.net. MR