Jazz Fest
- By Doug Kurtis
07/17/03
It's been a more than a decade
since Detroit staged a big summer party run. On August 30th, that's all about to change. Michigan's newest running bash will
take off from Hart Plaza and introduce many local runners to the elegant views
of Windsor from Detroit's new riverfront promenade behind Cobo Center.
Runners
will kick off the 24th annual Jazz Fest that Saturday morning, by
running four miles from Hart Plaza along the Riverfront Promenade, looping
through Corktown, then back for a Jazz filled party at the Waterfront
stage.
Two of Detroit's newest monuments will be on display at
the start and finish lines: Runners will begin at the "Transcending"
sculpture, which honors Detroit's labor movement, and finish at the Underground
Railroad monument, "Gateway to Freedom."
Music Hall
- The Jazz Fest's non-profit presenting organization, which is producing this
inaugural event, has team up with me to direct the event and design the course.
Race title
sponsor, Standard Federal is banking on runners and volunteers to spread the
word that this will be an event to remember. Runners will party on the plaza
with refreshments from Michelob, Absopure and Caribou Coffee. Ford Motor
Company and Borders are also behind the event. Expect to see some talented runners from the Hanson's
Running shop too.
Many
runners still remember dancing in the streets with Emily and Pooh and
witnessing costumed runners rising to the occasion. Some still wear the
keepsake shirts with their caricatures and the slogan "Say Nice Things about
Detroit. The inaugural Jazz Fest 4 Mile t-shirt will feature this year's Jazz
theme of Jazz Divas designed by an art director from J. Walter Thompson.
Shortly
after the run party dies down the Jazz Fest will begin. Saturday's headliners
include Ron Carter and Chaka Chan at the main amphitheatre compliments of Ford
Motor Company.
Jazz Fest 4
Miler Entry Forms are available at all the local running stores as well as on
line at www.detroitjazzfest.com. For more information call Music
Hall at 313 963-2366. Volunteers are still needed as well.
August -
has a number of
great races coming up during the next two weeks:
2nd - Allen Park Street Fair, 27th
Annual, 8km, 6 pm
in Allen Park, 734 282-1101
3rd
- Mike Rutka, 5km,
8 am in Ann Arbor, 734-668-4760
9th - Run Thru Hell, 24th Annual, 5 & 10 mile, 8 am in Hell, 734-878-6640
9th - Cheesetown Challenge, 2 & 5 mile, 6 pm in Pinconning, 989 879 5617
Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St.
Detroit, 48226
or [email protected]
