Tails to Trails Raises $10K for Animal Shelter

shelter pet (photo by Animal Match Rescue Team)

based on several news articles

Isabella County’s Humane Animal Treatment Society raised about $10,000 Sunday for the operation of their shelter. The run/walk takes place each year at Island Park in Mt. Pleasant. Participants were welcome to bring their own pets, or to take a dog from the shelter.

The walk and 5 kilometer run use the Chippewa Trail system, with the run being staged in the morning and the walk in the afternoon. Participants who raised more than $75 received a T-shirt.

HATS Executive Director Jill Irving commented, "Many people who have adopted pets from the shelter use the opportunity to give back by either paying their own fee to take part, getting pledges from others, or both."



See Isabella County’s Humane Animal Treatment Society
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Epic Runners Meet at North Country Run

Terry Hitchcock (from the cover of his book)

compiled from several sources

This past Saturday, two epic runners were on hand at the North Country Run, staged at Big M near Manistee.

Terry Hitchcock ran the equivalent of 75 marathons in 75 days, at age 57. His book, A Father's Odyssey, tells of the challenges involved. He now travels the country as a motivational speaker. A movie about his quest was produced, called My Run, and his theme is "Nothing is Impossible."

Steve Knowlton was inspired by Hitchcock's run, and set out on one of his own, from St.Paul, Minnesota to Atlanta, Georgia. He has also completed a run from the northwest corner of the state of Washington to the southeast coast of Florida, over 4000 miles. His purpose was to raise awareness of Crohn's disease. He also hopes to raise money for that cause.

The two men had previously met, and are friends. Both live in Minnesota.

Hitchcock sold copies of his book on Saturday, and talked about the changes in his live that led him to take on such a run. Knowlton actually competed in the event, calling it a "tough course."

The North Country Run is a race with ultra marathon (50 miles), marathon and half marathon options. It is in its 12th year, and always fills fast, with a long waiting line for registration.



See Terry Hitchcock's site
See Steve Knowlton's site
See North Country Run
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Kal-Haven Trail to Host Polar Bear Run

a news release of Southwest Michigan Planning Commission

The Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail are excited to introduce their First winter event: Kal-Haven Trail Polar Bear Run. The event will be held on Saturday January 29, 2011 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Driftbusters Snowmobile Club (710 Hughson Court, Gobles, MI 49055). The 5K event is only $10.00 a person and the youth fun run is $5.00.

The 5K Run begins at 1:00 p.m. (ages 14 and up). Registration can be done on site at 12:30 p.m.

While the run is taking place kids activities will include
1:00 p.m.- Birds of Prey Education Program by the Lake Milton Raptor Education Program
1:45 p.m.-Registration for the Youth Fun Run (ages 10 and under)

Awards will be held at 2:30 p.m. and a team snowman building contest will be held at 3:00 p.m. Enjoy the bonfire, food, friends and some winter fun!

This event is being sponsored by the Dristbusters Snowmobile Club, Gazelle Sports, David and Joan Rumery and Wahmhoff Farms.

Bring your running shoes and warm weather clothing to spend an afternoon on the Kal-Haven Trail.

Visit Friends of Kal-Haven Trail, or contact Suzann Flowers
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Girls on the Run Kicks off Mason County Season

Kent County Girls on the Run

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from various sources

Girls on the Run is a life-changing, non-competitive, non-profit prevention program for preteen girls. Their mission is "to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living." Girls train for a 5K run/walk and are encouraged to develop positive, healthy habits.

In Mason County a training session for this year's coaches will be held February 24. Sign-up forms are expected to be distributed in schools by February 15. The cost is $40 per student, but scholarships are available for families who demonstrate economic hardship.

Girls on the Run was founded in 1996 by four-time Ironman triathlete, Molly Barker. Her interest in adolescent issues, combined with teaching and counseling expertise, led her to develop the curriculum for GOTC.

In Mason County, contact Barb at 231-902-8528
In Kent County, contact Lori Burgess, 616-916-0384

See Girls on the Run
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Traverse City Turkey Trot Participation Doubles

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based on a news article at 9 & 10 News

Participation doubled in the 2nd Annual Traverse City Turkey Trot, held Thanksgiving morning. Almost a thousand people traveled the course, despite the rainy weather. The race benefited the YMCA and TART trail system. The 5 km walk, run, or roll raised nearly 40 thousand dollars for the two causes.

The race this year was organized by Everywhereyougo, a company that promotes community development.

Pre-registration was $30, $35 on site, and participants received a t-shirt.

See TART, Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails
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Beach Walk/Run, Sept 12, Pentwater

Charles Mears State Park (photo by Michael Turk)

a news release of Michigan DNR

Charles Mears State Park will host a chance to "GO Get Outdoors" at a beach run/walk on Saturday, Sept. 12. The 5K and 10K races will begin and end at Charles Mears State Park, with the races starting at 8:30 a.m., and follow a course covering paved, sand and beach surfaces.

"The course starts out along the picturesque streets of Pentwater, and then proceeds through the beach communities north of town," said Park Supervisor Jim Gallie. "The final segment of the course follows along the water's edge and, with Lake Michigan experiencing high water levels, participants should be prepared for the possibility of wet feet."

Proceeds from the event will benefit Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (C.O.V.E.), a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and women and children who are homeless.

The entry fee for the event is $15 per person if registered by Monday, Sept. 7, and $20 after Sept. 7 with special discounted rates for families. The first 100 registrants will receive a free event T-shirt and refreshments will be provided for all participants. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place female and male finishers in each age group for the running events and for the overall female and male first and second place finishers of the 5K walk.

For more information about the event, contact Lynne Cavazos at (231) 869-5939.

See Charles Mears State Park
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Ludington Man Runs 100 mi /mo for 25 Years

Kim Halladay (photo from West Shore Community College)

based on a news article in the Ludington Daily News,"Milestone met," by Patti Klevorn, Mar 29, 2009

Kim Halladay quietly reached a lifetime goal this week. As he was running beside Ludington Daily News reporter, Patti Klevorn, she asked him just where on that run he would pass that milestone. "About a block back," Halladay replied without breaking stride.

Usually six days a week, accompanied by a golden retriever, Kim runs the streets and parks of Ludington. On this day, his wife Jeanie was waiting for him, offering a hug and congratulations.

Years ago, with a PhD in social work and a Master’s in public administration, Kim decided that he would need to do something physical to counteract the sedentary career he was heading for in the mental health field. So he began to run. After a while, he realized that he had established a regular pattern and made a decision to run at least 100 miles a month for the next 25 years.

For 23 years, he served as executive director at West Michigan Community Mental Health, and now teaches classes for Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan. He enjoys helping people prepare for retirement.

In a double reference to both running and life, he added, "Not every minute of every day is a walk in the sun with a gentle breeze at your back. It’s persistence during the challenging times that ultimately allows one to attain important results." His actual average came in at 113 miles per month.

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Ludington Lakestride Sets 2009 Race Agenda

runner in the Ludington Lakestride Half-Marathon 2007 (photo by cyoas)

based on information from Gary Anderson, Ludington Lakestride Race Manager

The popular Ludington Lakestride races are scheduled for 2009. Activities will be staged on June 13-14, with the Ludington High School serving as the hub for all activities. The school, on N. Washington Avenue will be used for registration, and the Friday night spaghetti dinner.

Also this year will be a free, one-mile fun run on Friday, June 13. The exact course for this run has not been set. This will be followed by a spaghetti dinner, which is offered by the Ludington Runners Club. There is a charge for the dinner.

Saturday morning the 5K (3.1 mile) and half-marathon (13.1 mile) races will begin at 8:30. Both races begin on Lakeshore Drive and head north. The 5K runners will turn into Cartier Park, following paths there to Rath Ave, and Bryant Road, then return to Stearns Park. The half-marathon race continues past Cartier Park to M-115, Piney Ridge Road and into the State Park, returning to M-115, and also ending in Stearns Park.

Registration is not yet open, but will be handled by Classic Race, and should be available around March 1.

See Ludington Lakestride Half-Marathon 2007
See classicrace.com
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Why Exertion Leads to Exhaustion

Scientists have found an explanation for runners who struggle to increase their pace, cyclists who can't pedal any faster and swimmers who can't speed up their strokes. Researchers from the University of Exeter and Kansas State University have discovered the dramatic changes that occur in our muscles when we push ourselves during exercise.

We all have a sustainable level of exercise intensity, known as the "critical power". This level can increase as we get fitter, but will always involve us working at around 75-80% of our maximal capacity. Published in the American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, this research shows why, when we go beyond this level, we have to slow down or stop altogether. This is the first time that scientists have looked at processes taking place inside the muscles when we exceed the critical power.

The study showed that when we exceed our critical power, the normally-stable pH level in our muscles, is quickly pushed to levels typical of exhaustion. Moreover, the level of phosphocreatine in the muscles, a high-energy compound which serves as an energy reserve, is quickly depleted when exercise intensity exceeds the critical power.

Professor Andy Jones of the University of Exeter, lead author on the paper, said: "The concept of 'critical power' is well known by sportspeople, but until now we have not known why our bodies react so dramatically when we exceed it. We were astonished by the speed and scale of change in the muscles."

The research team used a magnetic resonance scanner to assess changes in metabolites in the leg muscles of six male volunteers who exercised just below and just above the critical power.

The research offers a physical explanation for the experiences of exercisers of all levels of ability. Professor Jones concludes: "The results indicate that the critical power represents the highest exercise intensity that is sustainable aerobically. This means that it is likely to be an important intensity for maximising training gains. Exercising above the critical power cannot be sustained for long because it is associated with changes in the muscle which lead to fatigue."

news release of the University of Exeter , "Why exertion leads to exhaustion", Dec 20, 2007
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Ludington Lakestride Half-Marathon

2007- 27th year for races

The Ludington Lakestride Half-Marathon is in its 27th year of taking runners along a course over dunes and along the Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake shoreline.

The races begin at 8:30 am Saturday, June 16, on Lakeshore Drive, in front of Nader's Lakeshore Motor Lodge.

The cost is $24 with a beach towel for those who register by Thursday. Sign up by picking up a brochure at the chamber office or visitors center or by visiting www.classicrace.com. You may also register during a pre-race spaghetti dinner at the west end of Ludington Avenue for 5 to 8 pm Friday night. Or register the morning of the race at the entrance to Stearns Park.

A one-mile fun run is scheduled for 6 pm Friday at the west end of Ludington Avenue. The Lakestride also offers a 5k run through the city's Cartier Park on Saturday.

from the Ludington Daily News- see FAIR USE notice.
See www.classicrace.com
Those looking for information on the 2009 Race, see Ludington Lakestride Sets 2009 Race Agenda
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