The Original Cottage Inn restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor was the hot spot for Mitch and his crew, Sunday November 7, 2010 as all in attendance enjoyed fabulous food, friendly banter and a bit of business at the Ann Arbor Track Club Annual Dinner.

After a savory Italian feast complete with dessert, Mitch Garner, president, calmed the crowd and brought the meeting to order.

A lawyer without a quorum would rival a runner without his shoes.  Garner’s first point of interest was the security of his ever-devoted board.  Nay-Sayers were nonexistent, thus terms were renewed, and the AATC Board of Directors remained eight members strong.

Faction in place, Mitch ‘let down his hairs’ as he recapped and celebrated the “great year” that’s been had of our nationally recognized track club, comprised of nearly 400 members to date.

Eight races complete, not a dud in the mix much to the credit of dedicated race directors, each who put forth arduous efforts to ensure successful events, hence worthy of the club they represent.

Highlights included an all time record turnout of nearly 7,000 registrants for the Dexter Ann Arbor Run, and though veteran race director, Hal Wolfe, will be sorely missed, exceptional candidates have stepped forward, and new life will soon be decided upon for its 38th running in 2011.

On par and in attendance, was AATC member and Running Fit Novi manager, Rachel Ingle, newly confirmed as race director of the 2011 For Women Only Run.  Rachel maintained that its venue will remain unchanged, and Ingle is hard at work with exciting possibilities for the 29th installation of this classic event.

It would be unprecedented for a club such as ours to be lacking in talent, thus it was a difficult task for Garner to choose only one male and one female to bestow respective Runner of the Year distinctions.

A true gem of the club, Elke Dozauer was deemed the 2010 Female Runner of the Year.  Elke received age division honors in every AATC race that she ran and regularly helps out with whatever is needed at club events.

Honored for the men, was Doug Goodhue, who has had an outstanding year including multiple National Championship titles in addition to his new American 20K record, 1:20:05, for 65 – 69 males.

“I couldn’t imagine belonging to any other club in the entire U.S. of A,” lauded Goodhue as he accepted his AATC Runner of the Year award.

Additional accolades were bestowed upon Ellen Nitz for exemplary volunteer service.  Garner commended Nitz for her service to the club, not only at the races but for all of the ‘extras’, which Ellen regularly performs without the blink of an eye.

“Volunteering for this club is easy,” Nitz insisted.  “It’s rewarding and a great experience.  We have a great club with great people.”

So much to say, so little time, Garner scrambled to touch on many of the initiatives set forth by the board.  In addition to all of the races, Ron Beasley’s award winning youth program and multiple other affairs, in 2010, the AATC provided financial support for sub-elite athlete, Jordan Desilets; a high school scholarship program was launched whereby three scholarships were awarded to Washtenaw County high school seniors to assist in their academic and athletic collegiate pursuits; a partnership began, to be expanded in 2011, with the University of Michigan’s Running Club; and in answer to requests made by the University of Michigan’s Cardiovascular Center, AATC athletes born prior to 1981, will be given the opportunity take part in a ‘Runner’s Study’ in efforts to better understand the correlation between running and atrial fibrillation.

On December 14th, medical professionals from U of M will attend the AATC Winter Mini Meet, the club’s final race of the year, in hopes of recruiting experienced runners to take part in their study.  As added incentive, the University has offered to pay the meet registration fee for all participants who agree to take part.

Things are looking good for our vibrant, active club, and for 2011, Garner looks to increase club membership and continually strengthen its existing programs, especially those newly established.

The evening would not have been complete without befitting sentiments made by AATC Vice President, Kevin Galvin.

“The strength of the club is largely due to Mitch.  He’s a great leader who drives and often creates the initiatives approved by the board.  We would not be in the position that we are without him.”

A standing ovation ‘seconded’ Galvin’s remarks.

All who are interested in applying for club scholarships, learning more about the many initiatives of the AATC or becoming board members, may contact Mitch Garner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it