April Races
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

This weekend's calendar has many great races to discover. Here's a few to set into crosshairs of your radar screen. Enjoy the spring leaves and flowers as you run.

Saturday races include:

Herb's Run in Monroe. The fifth annual begins at 8:30 am in Munson Park.   It has a completely new course (designed by me) that now runs along the Raison River.   It crosses the Roessler Bridge and returns for a view of the park bench memorializing Herb Mell.   It's worth the trip just for the Monroe Miler and Island Road Runner Club homemade cookies. Proceeds are used to support youth running and college scholarships. Contact Sandy Mell at [email protected] for information.

The 2 nd annual 5km walk/run for Autism Acceptance is looking to build on last year's great attendance. It's a road and trail race that winds through a beautiful setting around Hawk Island and Scott Woods County Park. Locals remember the park as the Sablin gravel pits. It has now been transformed with swimming beaches, pedal boats and natural planting areas.   The kid's run (including autistic kids) begins at 10 am, the 5km a half hour later. Go to www.austism-mi.org or call 517 882-2800.

The 2006 Gina Relays in Hillsdale begin tomorrow (3:15 pm) with the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon. Friday evening (8:50 pm) features the memorial Gina VanLaar 10km for women. Vanlaar was a seven time All American and four time academic All American at Hillsdale.

Saturday's events include the Wyld Bill Lundberg 10km, named after the Charger's track and cross country coach. Race time is 10 am. Go to www.hillsdale.edu/chargers   or call 517 607-3155.

Belle Isle's Spring into Nature 5k run/walk at the Nature Zoo starts at 10 am.   The race is put on by the Detroit Synergy group, a non profit, project based coalition of Detroit and metro area residents working across cultural boundaries to make a vibrant Detroit. Go to www.detroitsynergy.org for details. Your entry fee includes access to the zoo.

The Borgess Run for Health in Kalamazoo has been around for 27 years. Although its distances have changed, the events continue to be sponsored and run from the Borgess Health and Fitness Center. The National City half marathon begins at 8:15 am, while the 5km and 1 mile start shortly after. There is also a judged 5km race walk. Go to www.borgessrun.com or call Blaine Lam at 269 345-1913.

On Sunday, the Running Fit Trail Marathon and half marathon have attracted runners from all over the country. The course, through the Pinckney Recreation area, is not for wimps. It's a tough rugged trail and runners have been known to take a few falls. This hasn't deterred hundreds of runners from toeing the line to face everything from heat to sleet. Race time is 8 am.

The course is a 13.1 mile single track loop through Michigan wilderness with constant hills and beauty including views of 10 lakes. It's a wide, well used trail with opportunity to pass. Call Susan Hodgson 734 929-9027 or go to www.trailmarathon.com .

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