“This will be a one year only event,” declared Chuck Block, race director of the Run Thru Hell on Halloween 5K Run/Walk – 10K Run being held on Sun October 31, 2010 at the Hell Creek Ranch in Pinckney.

This race has a very specific goal – to raise enough funds to purchase a wheelchair assessable minivan to enable Dolores and Harrison Hensley, icons of the Michigan running community and responsible parties for the formerly infamous Run Thru Hell competition, to return to the racing scene.

Few if any have given more to the running community than Harrison and Dolores.

“As a race organizer,” David Howell, race director and owner of the Total Runner running stores, explained, “it was always great to see an entry form come in with Harrison’s name on it.  That meant that Dolores would come along and help with the race.”

She did more than help.  Dolores brought and extended to all, her aura of love, kinship, kindness and strength.  As Howell said, “You always knew the finish line was in good hands if Dolores was there,” but not simply because she did her job well.  Dolores greeted each and every finisher with her bona fide hugs, kisses, smiles and praise.

Her sidekick, Harrison, tried to come off as a gruff, cranky, old man but could never quite pull it off to conceal his gentle heart.

Greg and Jenni Everal of Everal Race Management met Harrison and Dolores “through the local road races.”  They most remembered “Harrison running the race” and upon completion of their own races, receiving “a big kiss from Dolores” at the finish chute.

“They were everywhere!” the Everals continued.  “The Hensleys volunteered a lot of their time at races, Dolores at registration and the finish line and Harrison hauling around race applications from race directors trying to promote their race.”

The Hensleys have been sorely missed since November 2008 when Dolores suffered a stroke.  Block has taken it upon himself to do something about it though he is not without the help of others.  The response from the running community has been huge.  Total Runner will provide the water; Gault and Everal Race Management is going to time the race, free of charge, using disposable D-tags, mats at the start and finish; Running Fit will provide the porta potties, Hansons’ got the refreshments, Bauman’s Running & Walking will take care of the awards and screen printing of the shirts which Playmakers will help to underwrite.

Countless others are committed to volunteering their time come race day, yet hands are always needed, and while donations continue to soar, the intended goal is still quite far.

Harrison, a proud man, proclaims, “Dolores does not have a lazy bone in her body.  She loves runners and people and getting out to the races is the love of her life.”

Don’t be fooled.  This race is as much for the running community, if not more, as it is meant to help the Hensleys.

Howell has said it best as he surmised, “I hope the Michigan running community will come out in great numbers on October 31, not just to help raise funds, but to show Dolores and Harrison how much we all appreciate what they have done for our sport.”

Run, walk, donate, volunteer, spread the word.  History is in the making – we hope to see you in Hell.

For all the details, please visit http://runningfoundation.com/Run_Thru_Hell_Halloween.html