It was a night of firsts.  Some had never run a track meet.  Others had never been to an Ann Arbor Track Club affair.  The Ann Arbor Track Club had never organized a track meet in the summer.

Storms were predicted.  The weather looked ominous.  Stani Bohac, the coach of the AATC’s Tuesday night workouts and the impetus behind the initiative, was missing in action – on a transcontinental trip to Asia.

The AATC is nothing if not a team.  Board member and USATF official, Terry Reilly who stepped in as interim race director, organized and officiated the meet.  More than a dozen AATC members willingly lent a hand to provide equipment, time the races and tend to any other tasks in need of attention.

Skies cleared, the sun shone and more than 40 runners from across and outside of the state came to run in the first and what will likely become annual, AATC Summer Mini Track Meet held at the University of Michigan Outdoor Track on a Tuesday evening, middle of June.

Athletes had their choice of six different events, which ranged from 100m on up to 3200m.  Those really looking for a challenge ran ‘em all.  An age compensated hexathlon was its official title by which organizers converted these finishers’ actual times to “age-graded” results using international tables and world record factors.

Richard James, 68, of Toledo, OH was one of the few who were shrewd enough to take on the challenge.  James who has been a runner for the majority of his years said that he “needs the challenge of running with other people.”

For neophytes Lisa Essien, 41 of Plymouth, and Young Hwangbo, 55 of Ann Arbor, the meet provided their very first track and field race experience.

Essien who has watched her son compete as a sprinter for Salem High School’s track team explained, “I wanted to know what it was like to run less than a 5K.  Oh my gosh – that was unlike anything I have ever done before!  I have a huge appreciation for what my son does!”

Hwangbo began his running career less than two years ago and already has a couple of half and full marathons under his belt.  “My daughter pushed me to start running,” he revealed and added, “I like running now.”

The meet Young said was “very hard,” but he was “happy” with his performance in the mile competition and went on to race the 800m and 3200m events.

Reilly was pleased with the outcome of the meet and added that runners enjoyed the camaraderie.  Newcomers to AATC activities appreciated the opportunity to meet members of the club.

AATC President, Mitch Garner, said that he intends to seek the approval of board members to host two track meets, winter and summer, on an annual basis.

“These meets,” Garner emphasized, “are consistent with my goal to have the AATC expand its horizons and reach out to all segments of the running and walking population.”

The AATC’s Winter Mini Meet will be held December 14^th at the University of Michigan Indoor Track. More information can be found by clicking on the event portion of the website or by contacting Stani and Terry at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it accordingly.