Dragon Dash runners should be familiar with the name of Jordan Desilets. The 1999 Lake Orion High School graduate has won the Dragon Dash for the past several years.
The Dragon Dash is an annual 8K run/walk around Lake Voorheis, sponsored by the Orion Township Parks and Recreation Department. The event also includes a Fun Run, which is a 3/4 mile run for anyone; and the Tot Trot, for children under the age of seven.
Desilets, who now runs for Eastern Michigan University, isn’t sure he will be able to attend this year’s race, due to a race already scheduled for this weekend in California.
“I was a runner in high school,” he said. “Normally we have a race that Saturday before, and I’ll come home and do (the Dragon Dash) on that Sunday.”
Desilets said this is either his fourth or third year of competing in the race, he wasn’t sure which. The 22-year-old has won the overall race every year he has competed.
“My time last year was in the mid-25’s,” he said. “My brother, Justin, runs the Dragon Dash with me, he used to run in high school too.”
To prepare for the race, Desilets said he usually does a two-mile “jog” to warm up.
“I’m usually sore from the day before,” he said.
For winning the race, Desilets has received a membership to World Gym in Lake Orion, but says he gives it to his brother due to his being unable to accept it because of NCAA rules.
“I’m a geography major and earth science minor in secondary education,” said Desilets. “I want to be a teacher and a coach.”
For more information about the Dragon Dash, contact Orion Township Parks and Recreation at 391-0304, ext. 143.