The Crim Festival of Races, scheduled for Aug. 27 in Flint, is within driving distance of residents in The Citizen’s coverage area.
So, it stands to reason that many Ortonville and Goodrich residents will be taking part. In fact, many people are making the event a family affair and bringing their spouses, children, siblings, and other relatives to the event.
One of the local families who plan to run in the event is the DeWitt family of Ortonville. Keith and Mary DeWitt, as well as sons Trevor (a member of the Brandon High School boys cross country team) and Kyle and daughter Emily, will be at the Crim.
The DeWitts have taken part in the Crim for about the past eight or nine years, Mary DeWitt said.
‘It’s exciting being surrounded by fellow runners,? she said when asked why the family keeps competing.
In fact, to prepare for the Crim, she leads a training group in Flint for those wishing to run in the race, which meets each Thursday evening. She said the group draws from a wide area, with people from as far away as Saginaw and Southfield in the group.
‘It’s a way of getting people who have never run to get out there to run,? she said.
Another local resident with family ties to the event is Liz Hendershott of Ortonville, who will be running in the 10 mile race with husband Steve. Daughter Jamie, a member of Brandon High School’s girls cross country team, will run in the 8K race, which is about 4.97 miles.
Hendershott said she has taken part in the Crim for seven years, while Steve has competed for 18 years and Jamie ran her inaugural Crim race last year.
‘It’s a huge race and a lot of fun,? she said.
Hendershott said she doesn’t do any special traning for the Crim outside of her usual running routine, but she said Steve increases his miles run prior to the Crim.
Robert Reneaud of Ortonville will also have several family members taking part in the various races.
Reneaud, who took part in the 10-mile run last year, will participate in the 8K walk this year. He has participated each year since 1991, alternating between the 10-mile run and the 8K race.
His two sons, Jeff and Scott, will run the 10-mile race, as will daughter-in-law Tresa.
Reneaud said the large crowds at the Crim make it a fun time.
‘With all that enthusiasm, it’s something to look forward to,? he said. ‘It’s always hot out there, and the race is run on cement and blacktop.?
Many athletes from the Goodrich cross country teams ran in last year’s event ? in fact, recently graduated Goodrich High School student Janee Jones led all women’s competitors in the 5K run last year.
Joining them in last year’s race was Goodrich athletic director Al Martus, who plans to compete again this year.
Martus will compete in his 14th Crim this year, having first run in 1991. At this point, he said running the race is not so much a matter of competing for any titles as it is a matter of finishing the race.
Just the same, he said being in the Crim each year is enjoyable.
‘It’s a great day up there in Flint,? he said. ‘It’s kind of an accomplishment ? it’s really a good feeling when you’re done.?