Best and Worst of 2004
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Many things happen in the world of road running over the course of a year. Here's a list of some of the best and worst that occurred in 2004.

The Best:

Adding a half marathon to the Detroit Free Press Flagstar Bank Marathon was a major undertaking that helped raise the event to a whole new level.   Over 2700 entered the event and many more would have, but organizers wanted to ensure its inaugural year went off without a hitch.   It did.

The Motor City Striders were about to close the doors on their club but after some pressure from the running community the board members voted to keep the club running. They will be open for business this year although with a scaled back schedule.

New race directors were hired by sponsors Fifth Third Bank and the Parade Company to revitalize the Detroit Turkey Trot.   The new course, finish venue and host of volunteers made it a major success.

The 25 th year for the Run Thru Hell proved to be it best year ever.   Attendance swelled to almost 2000 and organizers loved the devil out of all the company.

The Great Lakes Relay overcame many obstacles in setting up a course across northern Michigan's back roads and nature trails.   The three day event is one of the best of a number of great trail races in our state.

The Hanson's Distance Project continues to show the country that their plan is working. Three of their runners, Trent Briney, Clint Verran and Brian Sell made the top fifteen at the Olympic Trials Marathon. Past Free Press Marathon champion Fred Keiser was fourteenth. On the Women's side, another HDP member Monica Hostetler finished 26 th .

More and more celebrities seem to be taking up distance running. Freep marathoners loved the support of Governor Granholm on the course and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern made it through his first marathon. Can't wait to see Rip Hamilton run his first.

Finally, Americans haven't been on the Olympic Marathon medal stand for several decades.   Thanks to Deena Kastor and Meb Keflezighi, the U.S.A. went home with silver and bronze medals.

The Worst:

Watching Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima shoved into a crowd of spectators as he was leading the Olympic Marathon was one of the few sad notes during the Olympic TV coverage.   Fortunately, his airplane style finish for the bronze medal showed true sportsmanship.

The decision by Western Michigan University to drop track and cross country from its athletic program was a huge loss, especially for high school kids competing on that side of the state. Boo hoo to the President and AD for thinking they need to dump more money into the football and basketball programs.

Losing Jim Ramsey despite his 96 years was a sad day for many runners who loved the soul of this wonderful runner.

Sherlyn Everly added a lot of pizzazz and enthusiasm to the Crim festival of races. Her directorship will be missed.

The Motor City Striders board of directors voted themselves five more years of office, virtually squashing any opportunity for new blood to help revitalize the club.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226