The Crim Festival of Races will stage its 26^th anniversary this weekend.  Despite city budget cuts, the race will flourish because of the huge support of Flint citizens.  It has become the event to do in Flint whether you are a runner or a volunteer.

The first of nine different races will begin at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday morning. The 10 miler is the headliner event but the festival has branched out to include separate 8km and 5km runs and walks plus kids events.

Everything kicks off on Thursday with the opening of the three day Sport and Fitness Expo.  Runners and families arriving Friday are in for something special.  The Riverfront Character Inn should be packed to listen to Kenyan, Catherine Ndereba give a runner's clinic.  She won the last five Crim 10 milers and last year set the marathon world record of 2:18:47.

Also Friday evening, runners can enjoy the Crim Food Fest on Saginaw Street and watch the Parade of Running Clubs and Lois Craig Invitational for Special Olympics.

If you're waiting on the sidelines Saturday morning, you can also join the pancake breakfast line to benefit the Flint Lions Club beginning at 6 a.m. After the running events there will be plenty of entertainment and fun things for the kids, such as the Duck Race for MSO at 1:30 p.m. on the Flint River.

Make a whole day of it if you still have energy left. Starting at 6 p.m. there will be a beer and wine festival at the International Institute.

Over 14,000 runners are registered to participate in all of the races. More than 8,500 will compete in the 10 miler. Another 4,000 volunteer their time to support the race. Many will choose to run for one of six charities supported by the events. Over $2 million has been raised to help local programs over the last 25 years.

The 10 mile route winds through the heart of Flint's diverse community. From the scenic start over the Flint River, through parks and welcoming neighborhoods, up the Bradley Hills, past the homes of former auto barons, and finally down the famous finish on brick laid Saginaw Street.

Some of this year's top competitors in the ten milers include: Two time Crim Champion John Korir ('98 & '99), last year's runner up Shadrack Hoff of South Africa and 2001 New York City Marathon Champion John Kagwe.  This year's Michigan Runner of the Year, Kyle Baker will return to defend his Michigan Top Male Champion award. In the women's race, Ndereba will be challenged by '00 runner up, Hellen Kimaiyo of Kenya. Gladys Asiba is coming off a great year in '01 including a 3^rd place finish at the Crim.

In the master's division Ukrainian, Tatyana Pozdnyakova hopes to return to the winner's circle. She won it five straight years from '96 to '00.  Audrey Kuznetsov of Russia who recently won Grand Rapid's River Bank Run Masters division hopes to continue his luck in Michigan.

Prep for the Freep Marathon: 16 mile Training Run: Hanson's Running Shop in Royal Oak, September 1, 8 a.m. Free, call 248-616-9665