Apr 12, 2007 Doug Kurtis Column: Heat the Streets By Doug Kurtis :: Views- 2419
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The third annual Heat the Streets 10k/5km is much more than a race. This year it has partnered with the Winter Blast and THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund to become a full day of fun activities for the whole family.

At a press conference race director Stephen Moran said, "Participants, their families and friends, as well as volunteers and supporters can now extend their Heat the Streets experience by sticking around after the race for a fabulous post-run breakfast buffet at Hard Rock Café on Saturday, Feb. 10."

Meals will be served for $10. Race participants can eat for only $5 using the coupon included in their goodie bag. Hard Rock Café is donating 10 percent of sales from the breakfast buffet to THAW.

Registration and packet pickup is available on Friday, February 9th, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, or on Saturday, February 10th, from 6:00 am to 7:45 am at the Detroit Opera House Parking Center on Broadway Avenue.

Heat the Streets kicks-off at 8:00 a.m. from in front of the Boll Family YMCA on Broadway and highlights Detroit's charm as well as Winter Blast activities. The race has something for all abilities and ages whether running or walking. In addition to the 10K and 5K runs there is also the Meltdown 100M for children 12 and under.

From 9:30-11:00 a.m. participants who wish to “freshen-up” after their run, and before they eat, can use the YMCA day pass also provided in their Heat the Streets goodie bag.

Following the race, runners can walk down the street and join the Detroit's Winter Blast, a unique, winter-themed festival featuring ice skating at Campus Martius Park as well as music, food, dog-sledding exhibitions, snowboarding exhibitions and snowshoeing. Runners should plan to stop by WWJ News radio 950’s fourth annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW after the run.

The run is coordinated by the city of Detroit Department of Human Services and THAW. All funds raised will go directly to HSD to provide emergency energy assistance to Detroit families in need.

Entries available on-line at www.heatthestreets.org or from all local running stores. All fundraising efforts will receive a boost from DTE Energy, who is matching registration fees and individual contributions.

Can't make it to Detroit on Saturday? Drive to Riverview Sunday morning and join Tony Mifsud as he directs his last Winterfest 4 Miler. As president of the Downriver Runners, he encouraged the club to take over the race in 1988. After some soul searching, he decided it was time to step down and hopes to find someone new to take over the event.

The Winterfest has seen some of the Michigan's best runners compete over the years. Many like the later starting time which is 10 am. School showers are available and a free pancake breakfast is served immediately following the race.

Winterfest is the only race held in Riverview and is one of the few races where runners stick around for the award ceremony. This is probably due to the hospitality and friendly atmosphere in the warm auditorium at Seitz Middle School. They also raffle off lots of prizes such as shoe certificates, shirts, water bottles, dinners, and free entries to a number of other races hosted by the Downriver and Island Road Runners.

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