Volunteers are needed for the Kensington Challenge to be run on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at Kensington Metro Park.

Contact Ellen Nitz, Volunteer Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Precocious from the start, ten-year-old Alexa Spaanstra kicked her way into the world nearly eight weeks ahead of schedule, and her drive has only intensified.

“It was scary for a while,” revealed Andrea Spaanstra, the mother of Alexa, one of the Ann Arbor Track Club Youth Program’s newest and most formidable members.  “She was in the neonatal unit for quite some time.  I can’t believe how strong she is, but that’s how she’s always been – fast and strong.”

Amidst our nation’s birthday whilst most kids were frolicking in the pool, playing video games or enjoying other modes of entertainment, Alexa became the 2010 USATF Outdoor National Champion in the girls’ Bantam (athletes born in 2000 or later) division for the 200m and 400m dashes at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Lisle, IL.  The meet, which began on June 29^th and culminated on July 4^th, was comprised of some of the best athletes across the country.

Having qualified to run the 200m, 400m and 800m dashes, Alexa competed in all three events with remarkable results.  Having set personal records for each, Alexa won the 200m, 27.63, and the 400m, 1:02.45 and placed second in the 800m, 2:24.68.

Alexa began running when she was in kindergarten and participated in a local meet put together by Hershey Track & Field, a program founded in 1975, its purpose to bring health and fitness into children’s lives.

“We always knew she was fast,” remarked Spaanstra’s father, Scott, “but you never think to that level.”

After running locally with much success for a few years, the Spaanstras decided that it was time to “get serious.”  Having run with the AATC in her youth, Andrea held fond memories of the club, and in November of last year, Alexa joined the AATC Youth Program.

“They have really taken her to the next level,” Scott maintained, and he and Andrea both remarked, “They have been so good to Alexa and us as well.”

Team manager, Ron Beasley, is impressed with how “coachable and polite” Alexa is.  “She’s very good to work with,” Beasley acknowledged.  “She works hard in practice and has a lot of potential if she chooses to apply her talent.”

In addition to her success on the track, Alexa is a terrific soccer player.  A forward for the Michigan Hawks, a premier level soccer club based in Livonia, Alexa will once again focus her attention on soccer in September with plans to return her concentration to the track come June 2011.

“It’s her own drive that pushes her,” Andrea professed.  “We tell her that it’s about whatever she wants to do.  When she’s not training or competing, she’s watching track or soccer on television.  She has a gift, and she’s using it.”

About running, Alexa said, “I like working hard in practice and seeing the work pay off at meets.”

Alexa has enjoyed her opportunities to travel for both running and soccer and would one day like to become either a “professional track runner or soccer player.”

With her wide range of talents and dedication to her cause, this soon to be Brighton fifth grader is one to look out for.

For more information about the AATC Youth Program, please visit the Youth portion of the website, or contact Ron Beasley at (734) 330-7931

The second Sunday in July served up sun drenched skies and temperatures in the 70s for the 30^th anniversary of Huron River Day and Ann Arbor Track Club sponsored Gallup Gallop 5K run, walk and 1-mile competitions.

“A nice, family oriented, local event to celebrate the Huron River,” is how race director, Jo Darlington, described the affair, but don’t be fooled - competitive spirit was far from lost.

Nearly 250 athletes descended upon Gallup Park to run and walk in pursuit of overall, masters, grand masters and age-division bragging rights.  The 5K two-loop course treated athletes to nicely paved paths, wooden bridges, wood chips and a bit of dirt as they battled it out and gave it their all.

Bennett Prud’homme lead the way in the 5K run as he dominated the pack in 17:31.  Prud’homme said that he felt like he was running on his “home turf” since he trains at the park regularly as a member of Washtenaw Community College’s Club Running Team.

“There was good competition,” Prud’homme added.  “We traded spots the whole way.”

Helen Fuller, 19:56, proved victorious for the women.  “It was hot,” Fuller commented, “but there was some nice shade, and I liked the trail.”

Masters honors went to Chris Woodring, 17:53, and Pamela Walker, 22:24 while Roger Lara and Elke Dozauer claimed grand masters accolades in their respective times of 19:10 and 27:02.

Post race festivities proved pleasurable and plentiful as athletes enjoyed watermelon, ample fluids and hand carved awards made of natural maple wood by local artist, Lisa Ramlo, http://www.lisaramlow.com

Proceeds of the event benefited the City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Services Scholarship Fund, which is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents by providing park facilities and programs regardless of economic status.

Oodles of largely free adult and child friendly activities followed the race including storytelling and butterfly feedings.  Who knew that butterflies enjoy Gatorade?  Also available were $5 canoe and kayak rentals.  Opportunities to enjoy, learn and love the River were seemingly endless.

Eunice Burns and Shirley Axon who inspired the tradition contend, “We need to know about it (the Huron River) to be a part of it.  We plan all year to make a fun event that highlights and celebrates the River.”

Pam Labadie, Marketing Director of the Huron River Watershed Council, emphasized how reliant the city is on the river for clean drinking water.  “Approximately 85% of Ann Arbor’s water comes from the Huron River.”

A fact and necessity that is far from lost on the athletes including Darlington as the day’s temperatures soared into the upper 80s.

Sadly, this year’s race ended Jo’s six-year reign as Gallup Gallop race director.  Jo’s 5-½ year old son, who will begin kindergarten in the fall, necessitated Darlington’s decision in order to “focus on his school and extracurricular activities".

I’m sad to let it go, but I have to shift my priorities.  This is an awesome race that raises money for a good cause, and the people that I have worked with from the City of Ann Arbor have been wonderful, generous with their assistance and have offered a wonderful venue for our athletes.”

All who are interested in race director responsibilities for the 31^st Annual Gallup Gallop 5K may email, AATC club president, Mitch Garner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For complete results and information on next year’s race and Huron River Day, please visit http://www.aatrackclub.org and click on Events

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.