Oct 22, 2007 Patricia Ball - Directing the Growth By Doug Kurtis

After serving on the marathon staff in 1999 and 2000, Patricia Ball became the director in 2000. During her tenure the event has seen the largest growth in its history. “I believe that my most significant contribution has been the development of a purpose and goal for the marathon, from the complacent and static maintenance of the status quo, to becoming a catalyst for building a healthy and vital Detroit. From the earliest days of my tenure, I recall the uncertain and bemused look in the eyes of publisher Heath Meriwether, as he listened to me advocate that it was not enough, at least for me, to just grow our numbers - and that I wanted the marathon to be a contributing force in the transformation of the City's image - and in the health of the people who lived in the Detroit metropolitan area.”

“What good was the marathon as an annual event, I pleaded, if we aren't using it to make a significant and lasting difference for our City? “

“I included what I call trim-tabbing (an independently controlled rudder used for stabilizing or holding a ship in position) as part of my efforts to carry out my mission within our organization and our community.”

The first was the team relays. She believed that the relay event could be better used to introduce more participants to the world of distance running and to induce them into considering the possibility of actually doing a marathon. “If we could get them to build teams of 5 to cover the total 26.2 mile distance, some were certain to be swept up in the excitement and exhilaration of watching others run the entire distance.”

The relay has grown from 150 teams in 2000, to a sold out capacity of 600 this year. Registration closed after the first week in September - a new record.

“Another trim-tab is the organizations we partner with each year to provide fluid station volunteers. In 1999, we had a wait list for fluid station volunteers, and we literally had to turn away many organizations that longed for an association with the race and who wanted to participate in it. Back then, we simply didn't have a place for them.”

In 2000 those groups were turned into spirit stations. “These volunteers provide Detroit spirit and energy for the participants to make it to the finish. Ask any "Greenie," those with green numbers running their very first marathon ever, just how much that helps. We've grown from 30 organizations involvement to over 100!”

“There are many other trim-tabs, including our growth in sponsorship, our outreach efforts to the wonderful churches in the community, and our continued expansion of developing charity partners for our Run for a Reason program. These dedicated companies and organizations work in concert with the marathon staff to enhance our events and increase the success for all who participate.”

So what does Ball like about directing the marathon? “I love listening to the evolving conversations and chatter about what is happening with this marathon. Our staff travels to expos all over the country promoting not only the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon, but the Detroit region as well. I recall attending one of my first expos at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. A woman walked past the booth and said under her breath: "Why would I ever go to Detroit to run a marathon?" I was angry and wanted to say something back. But, part of me knew that this was a view of Detroit shared by not only people out there, but also at home. Thus the gauntlet was tossed; how do we change that image of Detroit such that people would want to travel and run the marathon here, and so that our own people would stay and run their hometown race?”

“At expos, we no longer hear the negative comments. Instead, it's often: "Wow, I've heard great things about your race. I'm coming this year or I'll be there next year."

Ball ran her first marathon (Detroit) in 1982. “At one point, I was the lone person in front of the police car trailing the last runner. I finished in something like 4:20. From 1982 until about 1988, I ran Detroit every fall and Cleveland every spring. I wouldn't think of running any other marathon in the fall than my hometown race. While I like traveling to other marathons, there is nothing like knowing that my family and friends are waiting for me at that finish!”

“Speed is relative when one trains for a marathon, especially when it’s your first. Except for those running in the front of the pack, the race is not necessarily or even especially about speed. Rather, it is about accomplishing the goal of lifetime - or improving one's own time. By the very standards I established, I find myself now "a slow runner" with a 10:00 minute per mile pace. But the operative word is "runner."

“At a meeting several years ago, I felt embarrassed because I inadvertently pegged the First Gentleman as a slow runner. Like in the movie Click I wished I’d had a remote control that would let me reverse time. However, since then, Dan Mulhern and I developed camaraderie in working to find ways of supporting each other’s goals for the health and vitality of those around us in our community and state. As part of that, the Governor’s office announced earlier this year her One in a Million Program, to have one million Michiganders participate in a fitness event this by Sunday, October 21 – the date of our marathon. The Governor herself will be participating on a relay team.”