Jul 27, 2007 Couple of Classic Races Get Revamped By Doug Kurtis :: Views- 214
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In the late 80’s and early 90’s, the Roadrunner Classic and Allen Park Street Fair were part of a twilight triple crown along with the Trenton Treadmill Run. But the times, they are a changing and so are both races.

The Roadrunner Classic has made numerous transformations since its inception in 1983. (Disclosure, I was one of the founding directors) It began as an evening party race at Veterans Park in Livonia, moved to Northville in the mid-nineties, disappeared in 2001 and came back as a fall charity event for the preservation of Maybury State park. Host club, the Northville Road Runners (formerly the Redford Road Runners) refused to let it die.

Next month, the club will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with an entire weekend of activities. It seems fitting that they would return the race to its roots by recreating the mid-summer party atmosphere.

NRR member Bart Gregoroff said “There is something for everyone. We have kid’s activities, live music by Benny and the Jets, pizza from the Starting Gate restaurant and homemade baked goods. The best thing about the race is that everyone receives a gift from our free raffle.”

This Saturday, registration begins at 3 pm near the visitor’s center off of Eight mile and Beck. The mile fun run/walk will begin at 5 pm and the 8km just a half hour later.

The 8km is a mix of road and trail. Entry fees give you the option of buying a T shirt or not.

For more information, call Gary Haf at 248-231-6114 or go to http://northvilleroadrunners.org and click on the roadrunner logo.

The Allen Park Street Fair will be celebrating its 31st year with a new starting time and a new director.

Tony Mifsud has been at the helm since its inception and picked on Mark Kerr to take it to new heights. Mifud said, “I stepped down because I wanted to spend more time with my family and grandchildren.”

Via email Kerr wrote, “Although a evening race worked well for years we felt it was time to make some changes to boost our participation numbers back up. We also felt our runners preferred to run in the morning instead of the evening.”

“Tony approached me in January and asked if I was interested in taking over the race. You don't get a lot people wanting to do this kind of volunteer work, so it wasn't like there was a long list to choose from.”

The AP Street Fair race has often been creative with their T shirts. This year will feature a nice golf shirt.

The course is a certified fast and flat 8k through the neighborhood streets of Allen Park. The street fair opens at 10 am two blocks away.

Registration, start and finish lines are located at the Allen Park Presbyterian Church. The one mile run takes off at 8:30 am. Call Total Runner in Southgate at 734-282-1101 for information.

On the horizon: August 11, Run Through Hell, Pinckney Running Club, 734-878-6640

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Doug Kurtis can be reached by clicking here!

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