Hansons Stars Heat Streets at Belle Isle
By Charles Douglas McEwen
DETROIT (12/31/08) -- Luke Humphrey is originally from mid-Michigan, Desiree Davila from southern California. Both looked well-adapted to the cold as they made short work of Belle Isle’s frozen tundra on New Year’s Eve.
The Hansons-Brooks Distance Project teammates were men’s and women’s champions at the 39th annual Belle Isle New Year’s Eve Family 4-Mile Fun Run/Walk, presented by Fifth Third Bank.
Humphrey and Davila overcame fierce wind gusts on an 18-degree afternoon to triumph with times of 19:38 and 22:00 respectively.
“I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life, so I’m used to it,” said Humphrey, who beat Hansons-Brooks teammates Dave Jankowski and Chad Johnson, both timed in 19:50. Another teammate, Mike Kilburg, took fourth in 20:00.
“It’s fun to just race without any pressure,” Humphrey said.
Jankowski, an Idaho native who has seen his share of cold weather, still found plenty of challenge.
“On a day like today, you battle the elements as much as the people you’re running against,” he said.
Davila edged women’s teammate Melissa White, who took second in 22:39.
“Twenty-two flat is good on a day like today. I’ll take it,” Davila said.
White, who lived in upstate New York before joining Hansons-Brooks in Rochester Hills, stayed closed to Davila until the mile mark.
“I thought Desiree would be faster than me today,” she said. “So I tried not to go out too fast in this weather.”
Following White across the finish line were Carol Jefferson (22:58) and Shelby Joslyn (23:58).
Elizabeth Putti, 37, of Shelby Township, took first overall in the walk. She was pleased immeasurably.
“I usually do the run, but I’m seven months pregnant,” said Putti, who timed 44:51 for the 4-mile distance.
“I’ve been running this race since I was a kid,” she said. “I try to come back every year.”
Jeff Green of Inkster led the men in 48:00.
Matt Freed (6:21) and Annika Reiss (8:40) won the children’s 1-mile run. Annika’s mom, Marti Reimer-Reiss, claimed the 4-mile run three years ago. She finished sixth in this year’s 4-miler and had no interest in being a frontrunner.
“I’m OK with the Hansons girls beating me today,” she said. “The wind was a killer out there.”
Joining Fifth Third Bank as sponosors were Hansons Running Shop, Insurance Partners Academy, Michigan Runner magazine, Tom Waligorski Roofing and Galeana’s Van Dyke Dodge.
Race director Jeanne Bocci gets volunteers from the Downtown Runners and Walkers, Belle Isle Runners, Lakeshore Striders and employees of Fifth Third Bank.
