News | A Perfect Match |
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| Written by Tracey Cohen |
| Friday, 02 April 2010 16:18 |
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What began as a small fundraiser for sixth grade campers has evolved into one of the most popular and beloved road races in Ann Arbor’s tightly knit community. The 32nd annual Burns Park 5K, 10K and Half Mile Fun Run will be held on Sunday May 2nd at the corner of Wells and Baldwin Streets and will be hosted this year by the Ann Arbor Track Club. When Mitch Garner, the presiding president of the Track Club, proposed the idea to race directors, Joel and Jackie Dalton, they felt it would be “a perfect partnership.” “We can promote kids’ fitness through the youth workouts offered by the AATC,” Jackie explained, “and the AATC can promote our event to everyone.” “The course,” Garner conveyed, “is homey.” Run along beautifully shaded streets in the Burns Park neighborhood, the course does not cross any main roads, and while it has been said to offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere, runners will be challenged with sharp turns and what Mitch describes as a “mini-Heartbreak Hill” just beyond the third mile. But don’t fret – the downhill finish has proven to be the ultimate reward for athletes’ exhausted efforts. Now in its ninth year, the celebrity athlete program, founded by Garner, will feature Olympic fencer, Sada Jacobson. Sada will speak to all of the Burns Park students at a special assembly the evening prior to the race. Children who have participated in the Burns Park Walk and Talk Program, having spent their recesses running, walking and talking around the park weekly in the spirit of fitness and preparation for the race, will have the privilege of participating in a special warm up preceding the race with their new found hero. The event as always will benefit the Burns Park PTO, but this year the Dalton’s desire to share the event with more children and schools in need of additional funding, has made it possible for students living in other districts, to raise money for their own schools. For each child on a PTO team, one hundred percent of their net registration proceeds as well as those of one registered parent per child will be donated to their own academy’s PTO. A great race for kids, but what about adults? Roger Sunahara has challenged his colleagues, many of whom are not runners, to form a team and run with him. Excited about the idea, Sunahara reports that not only are they training themselves to run the race, many have inspired their significant others to join them.
A true testament to the nature of the race, family members of all ages are seen running together and pushing strollers, and those who are not can be found cheering the runners on alongside neighborhood residents. Jackie boasts and Garner concurs that after the race runners will enjoy the “best brunch” including Zingerman’s bagels, Caribou coffee, fresh fruit and homemade treats donated by the parents of Burns Park school. Jackie maintains that they are a “competitive yet family friendly race” which has an abundance of quality awards and raffle prizes. Adults and children who have “a need for speed” or simply want a group with which to train, might check out the Ann Arbor Track Club’s adult and youth fitness programs at http://www.aatrackclub.org For more information on this year’s race and the Burns Park Walk & Talk program, please visit http://www.burnsparkrun.org |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 20:57 |
