Small suggestion led to big task of creating Ann Arbor Marathon
Mike Highfield stands with his wife, Andrea, near the corner of Keech Avenue and Main Street in Ann Arbor, the start of the June 17 Ann Arbor Marathon that the Highfields founded.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Mike Highfield drove around, searching. He took laps around the city. He went out to Saline.
Highfield is the founder of Champions for Charity, the organization that sponsors many of the running events in the Ann Arbor area. This one was going to be bigger than all of them.
As Highfield hopped into his car last summer, he was in search of the perfect route for Ann Arbor’s first marathon, which will be run June 17.
The idea wasn’t new. Highfield had a friend try to put one together 10 years ago. After the city rejected the proposal, the idea lay dormant — until last summer.
For Ann Arbor’s biggest running event to come to fruition, it took the tiniest suggestion.
Ellie Serras, a retired event coordinator for the Main Street Area Association and avid marathon runner, thought a marathon in Ann Arbor might allow people to discover new places and attract visitors to the city
At Champions for Charity’s July 4 Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K last summer, she casually mentioned the idea to Highfield and his wife, Andrea Highfield, Champions for Charity’s executive director.
“I just happened to throw it out to Andrea and just say, ‘You know what? You guys really ought to look at having a marathon in Ann Arbor because you guys could do this.’” Serras said. “I think it was that offhand remark that might have just sparked it for them.”
It was.
“That inspired me,” Mike Highfield said. “I just got in my car, and I just started driving.”
He didn’t think the city was going to allow the entire race within Ann Arbor boundaries, so he constructed a route to Saline High School and back. Then he sat down with the Ann Arbor Police Department.
“They sort of said, ‘Well, you could do this,’” Highfield said. “You could go down Geddes and do that. … Then I started conceiving a course entirely in the city limits of Ann Arbor.”
After talking with some other runners, Highfield constructed a course. A few revisions were necessary to make sure the marathon didn’t interfere too much with Michigan’s football camp, which starts on the same day, or the Ann Arbor Transit Authority's routes.
Eventually, Highfield had a course entirely within the city passed through city council.
The race starts at the intersection of Keech and Main, right by the northwest corner of Michigan Stadium. It goes up Main, across to Liberty and North University, down Geddes, up and back on Huron to Fuller, through part of the Nichols Arboretum, down and up Washtenaw, down State Street to Eisenhower, back to Main Street and finishes at Elbel Field. Course maps can be found on the Ann Arbor Marathon website.
Now, the focus has changed to spreading the word. Champions for Charity is working with local businesses, churches and anybody else affected by the marathon to ensure nobody is harmed by the race.
“We’re even having churches calling and saying they want to help and businesses on the course who are going to be there and put out water stops,” Andrea Highfield said. “People are just amazingly excited about this, more than I anticipated.”
As of late March, there were registrants from 33 states and Washington D.C.
The marathon is limited to 2,500 participants this year, in an effort to make sure everything runs smoothly and the streets aren’t closed too long. But the event also includes a half-marathon (limited to 5,000 participants), a 5K, and a 1.2-mile run.
“All of our races are to raise money for nonprofits and for charity, and so I think that even got people more interested in it,” Andrea Highfield said. “People kept asking us and saying ‘Oh please do this.’ I didn’t realize what a demand there would be outside of Ann Arbor though.”
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Education Foundation is the Ann Arbor Marathon’s beneficiary. Six dollars of every registration fee will go to the foundation, as well as any additional contributions made by runners. Community members also can make fundraising pages through the foundation to help the cause.
The goal is to raise $60,000 to be used “where most needed,” board member Christy Perros. said.
“It’s an incredible gift to us and the community,” Perros said. “When we were putting together our budget for this fiscal year, we had no idea that this was even going to happen. So when they came to us and asked if we’d be willing to be the main beneficiary, or really the only beneficiary they’re giving their registration fees to, we’re absolutely thrilled.”
She, and a whole lot of people who will run June 17.
Michael Florek covers sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at michaelflorek@annarbor.com.
Comments
Robert Granville
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 12:24 p.m.
The temptation to drive my car over the spectators that are keeping me from sleeping is extreme.
AnnieWood
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.
The Highfields and the Ann Arbor City Council have dismissed the Sunday morning life of all citizens of Ann Arbor who attend church services along their path of this run.
Ilia
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
Yes. Well said
AmyM
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 2:48 a.m.
After creating many well organized CFC runs, I want to commend the Highfields for taking on the daunting task of creating a marathon in Ann Arbor and I look forward to running it in June. My understanding is that they had to think and re-think the course based on many restrictions, traffic patterns, etc. I, for one, am fine with the out and backs - in our running community it actually provides a way to see and support other runners along the way. I will be running both both Dex A2 Half and the Ann Arbor Marathon.. I do not see that the marathon detracts from Dex A2; in fact the distance is perfect timing for how most people train for a marathon. As for not being able to have a quality race based on the races being 2 weeks apart, that all depends on how you want to define a quality run. For me, being able to have 2 great events right here in Ann Arbor, run with and around friends and have the support of a community that I love makes it full of quality for me. There are numerous new marathons popping up all the time, so there is never going to be a slot where nothing else is going on or where weather is never going to be a problem. The thing about a marathon is no matter how well trained, anything - including weather or injury or any number of circumstances - can happen along a 26.2 mile journey .. and we runners may have to change our run plan accordingly. My understanding and hope is that the organizers are well aware of potential hot weather and will provide more than enough hydration support, etc. Whether attempting to run your fastest time given the course and circumstances, or walking the whole thing with friends, why not embrace this Ann Arbor Marathon, support the Ann Arbor Public Schools and applaud the efforts to organize this amazing marathon opportunity.
mrblond
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
My wife and I are avid area runners, and occasional marathoners. I'm going to also chime in that we are very disappointed with the decision to essentially compete with the wonderful Dexter/Ann Arbor run. I think having a Marathon in Ann Arbor is a fantastic idea but to hold it in the weeks following the D2AA and in mid-June no less was a very poor choice and immediately turned us off. I'll choose Dexter/Ann Arbor, or Bayshore if I want a spring Marathon, every time before I'll sign up to do this run. I really hope most area runners agree with us and skip it as a way to convince the organizers to respect the history of the D2AA and move the race to a different (and cooler) place on the calendar.
Bob Cain
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
Ann Arbor is the Boulder of the midwest, with many great distance runners having passed through the town. Just think about this: The last American male AND female to win the Boston Marathon were Greg Meyer and Lisa (Larsen) Rainsberger BOTH track runners and graduates of the University of Michigan !! The Dexter-AnnArbor Run IS Ann Arbor !! It is the RUNNING EVENT of our community !! The running calendar is around 32 weeks (excluding Nov- March) WHY, WHY, WHY does this new event have to be within 2 weeks of our best running event ! The course is a nightmare! The out-and-backs on Hayward, Huron Pkwy, Washtenaw are crazy !! with the loop around Briarwood even worse (I do think the out-and-back on Main street in downtown in the final mile is a nice plan) ......but compare this course to DEX-AA with "the Great Race's" scenic route along the Huron River. Granted we are talking a race twice as long with the goal of fitting it within AA city limits BUT how about integrating my own 6 mile loop (all within AA) that I have always run (in the past) : Sunset, Newport, Foster rd, Huron River Dr. Main St (NO heavy traffic or intersections and very scenic!) I wish this race a success BUT I hope the organizers move the date in future years to Sept or Oct and look at a better course.
Kristi Gilbert
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 12:21 a.m.
I am a four-time marathon runner who lives in Ann Arbor and I am really looking forward to running the marathon! Is it the ideal route? Not really. Is Boston the ideal route? Would people choose to run those hills? Is mid June an ideal time of year? Probably not. But have you checked out the temps at this year's Boston? Or last year's Chicago? Maybe October or November would be better times, but then you are competing with Detroit. Not to mention the fact that you have about 5-7 home UM games to contend with. A running community as strong as Ann Arbor's deserves a marathon, and I'm grateful that someone is finally taking a stab at it!
MRunner
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 1:08 a.m.
A2Runner- I do have strong negative feelings on this matter, as do most of the runners I have talked to about this race. As a running "consumer," my thoughts on the issue matter just as much as any other runner's do, regardless of whether any of us have worked on races in the past. And while I have never tried to start an Ann Arbor marathon myself, I have worked hundreds of races over the past thirty years, served on boards of directors, and volunteered countless hours of my life to promote the running community, both in state and out. I know first-hand the challenges that race directors face- this is a thankless task, so I appreciate that an effort is being made to put on a first-class marathon in Ann Arbor. I can set aside my bias on the course- I'm sure it is not easy working with AA police to set up a route that everyone will be happy with. I can set aside my bias on holding the race during potentially hot weather- running is about challenging yourself, and if people want to run a marathon during the hot weather, more power to them. But the issue that irks myself and most runners I have spoken to is that the race scheduling is not positive for the greater Ann Arbor running community. Instead of promoting two great independent events, you create a schism in the running schedule. Some, like you, will choose to support both. Many others will choose one or the other, potentially detracting more from each than if they were scheduled in a more sensible manner.
a2runner
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
MRunner - It sounds like you have strong opinions on this. Have you looked at starting your own marathon in Ann Arbor? What options did you look into? If you don't like it, why not start your own marathon? I applaud the efforts to make a marathon happen in Ann Arbor. I will be running in both events DX-AA (1/2) and the Ann Arbor Marathon.
DubiousWorth
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
MRunner, I like you. You say it better than I.
DubiousWorth
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.
I would love to see Ann Arbor have a successful marathon, but with the organizers making three terrible decisions straight away, I fear that the event could go very badly. Do not compete with the iconic Dexter-Ann Arbor Race. Do not tempt fate by starting a race on a day that has a historical mean temperature of 64 degrees at 8am. Like you said, Boston and Chicago were hot and they were run at a sensible time of the year for a marathon. It may not be possible to lay out a worse marathon course in Ann Arbor. Randomly connecting 42k of roads would likely be a better course. (180 degree turns are verboten. It is just not done unless it is absolutely necessary. There are 6 of them) Ann Arbor does have a strong running community and does deserve a great marathon. I am not convinced that the organizers are up to the challenge; with such egregious errors before the race even starts, confidence is low that the start, the finish, the marshaling, the portable toilets, etc, will be handled with the attention that they deserve. Having no marathon in Ann Arbor is better than a disaster of a marathon. We shall see.
MRunner
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.
Kristi- As a 7 time marathon runner living in Ann Arbor, I agree that a running community like Ann Arbor deserves a strong showing for a marathon. Kafkaland has it right- Ann Arbor is a brand, and deserves the best possible marathon that can be put together. But I also believe that with as storied a history as it has, the Dexter-Ann Arbor race deserves a little more respect in the scheduling from both the city and the race organizers, who were part of the event last year, but have decided to stage this year's marathon/half marathon as direct competition to the Dx-AA run. As for comparing the route to Boston, the most historic marathon in the world, please tell me you are joking. The Ann Arbor marathon has six out and back loops and runs around the parking lot of a shopping mall. Boston retraces a route with over 100 years of tradition and competition. Yes- about 25,000 people choose to run those hills every year, and thousands more make qualifying for Boston their ultimate marathon goal! I can only guess that you have never made the finishing dash down Boylston street on Patriot's Day- it is a truly moving experience- one that makes all those Newton Hills worth every ounce of sweat. Regarding the weather- you are absolutely correct- this year's Boston Marathon was a nightmare. Nearly 10% of the field needed some form of medical attention. Chicago has had equally hot days with an equally high number of medical concerns. The risk of hot temps in Ann Arbor will be even higher given the month. This is not something we should be shooting for. Holding the event in April to coincide with the Big House Big Heart race is an intriguing idea. Of course, two separate events spaced by several months is more profitable than one, and I'm sure CFC would much rather cut into the Dx-AA profits than the profits of their own race.
katie Nolan Carr
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
of all the input and suggestions i missed the part about, if you do not like it, don't go...
Terry Star21
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
Then you also missed the part about integrity and safety and welfare issues from long-time serious racers, who care and support other runners....
Kafkaland
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 9 p.m.
Katie, ordinarily I agree when it comes to your maxime, certainly when it comes to personal choice. This situation is a bit differently, however. It's the "Ann Arbor Marathon", and it will require a significant buy-in by the community in order to be successful. Think volunteers, street closures, etc. Or the city council wouldn't have to approve it. And if it's not successful, there is a bit of damage; I wouldn't be surprised if it couldn't be attempted for another ten years if this fails, plus the potential for cannibalizing Dexter-Ann Arbor. Therefore, and given how much potential a well-thought out plan coul have, I'm disappointed to see such a half-baked effort going forward.
Kafkaland
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
At the risk of being redundant, I second most of the comments above. While I believe that there is a place for an Ann Arbor Marathon on the running calendar, this is not the way to go about it. Ann Arbor is a brand name, unlike Toledo, for insatance, and just the name can probably attract a decent field, with the expectation of an appealing course, good logistics, etc. I do think CfC has proven that they can handle the logistics, but the course and the scheduling is disappointing, for all the reasons pointed out above. I think we can do better than that, and should. For scheduling, I see two possibilities: one is to make it the headliner of the Big House Big Heart event. It would transform BHBH into something more competetive in nature, but the finish in the stadium is a unique touch that no other run can offer. Or, have a separate event in fall, but we'll have to carefully navigate around the football schedule. As for the course, Ann Arbor stands for trees and nature. Dexter Ann Arbor, along the Hurnon River, fulfils that promise. But running around Briarwood Mall???
Terry Star21
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
The intention of funds for the Ann Arbor Public Schools is excellent - but after that everything else fails for the profit making organization. First, the course is great for a walking and fun running event, but not for the serious racer - it may attract good initial response, but fail for second/third timers. The date is not good weather wise and a serious threat to safety, welfare and human life. The date is also an insult to the traditional Dexter-Ann Arbor race and additionally, anyone that says you can run two quality races that close together, or disputes anything above - has absolutely no clue to race management and competitive distance racing/running.
MRunner73
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
Unfortunately, there are too many die-hards out there who do race the longest distance events they can find every week. But you and I both know that they are both fool hardy and kidding themselves into thinking that they either benefit or improve their performances.
MRunner73
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
I agree with MRunner, and I do not post under tow names. My M stands for U of M. I have been road racing since my collegiate days and did the Dexter to Ann Arbor Run when it was 15 miles, many times. Although I appreciate the hard work the Highfields are putting into this event, I am dissappointed on the timing, course layout and competition to the Dexter to Ann Arbor Run. Since CFC put the Dexter to Ann Arbor event in 2011, the Highfields should understand, appreciate and respect the tradition of this race. To me, CFC intends to put on mega events and have less emphasis on pure competition. They seem to want participation and in very large numbers. There are too many marathon events nearby. Lansing just had their event, about the same time Toledo had it long running Glass City Marathon. Grand Rapids has theirs in late October sometimes the same date of the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Traverse City will have a marathon event in early June. The CFC shoud have honored the Dexter to Ann Arbor Half Marathon by not including a half marathon of their own. Having a 10K and 5K with the full marathon would have sufficed and complimented both events with the Dx-AA as a tune up event for those planning to run a full marathon event a few weeks later. I am also surprised the Police Department is in approaval, but that's their call. Given the numerous choices or nearby marathon events, it is unimportant the Ann Arbor hosts it's own. There are numerous shorter races to choose from nearly year round. I should also mention that the Running Fit stores hosts their won events and also recently had the Martian Marathon, Half, 10K in the Dearborn-Hines Park area. I am also too much of a traditionalist and purest that running events are too large and competetition is watered down.
Terry Star21
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
AGREE - 100%, fellow competitive racer.
MRunner
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 4 p.m.
Talk of an Ann Arbor marathon has been floating around the running community for at least the 20 years that I have been in Ann Arbor. I think the negativity that these posts reflects is the disappointment that the Ann Arbor running community actually has with the way this event has come about. The course is uninspiring for a marathon- out and backs on Huron Parkway, Hayward, Gallup Park, Washtenaw, and Main Street, a loop around Briarwood- these lack inspiration in this great city for running. The timing for the event is unfortunate and really detracts from the Dexter-Ann Arbor race- a nationally recognized event that has been going on for almost 40 years. Why pit two distance races against each other this way? There is a reason why most marathons are run in the spring or fall- to give the runners their best opportunity to perform well, and not tempt fate with a hot day in June. Given the success of Champions for Charity at raising money at other events, I was surprised to see that only $6 of every $88.25 entry for the marathon and $68.25 entry for the half marathon goes to the charity itself. Is this similar to the breakdown of donations for the Big House Big Heart, and other races? That less than 10% of the entry actually goes to support the charity? While the cause is a good one, this runner is disappointed in how the Ann Arbor Marathon is being introduced. I will be supporting the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon this year- with a $49 entry fee, established course, and solid reputation, and save my marathon for the fall.
Terry Star21
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 5:59 p.m.
Very nice.
mc244
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
I agree that the course stinks, but maybe it's dictated by the city? The weather might be bad, but look at Boston this year, Chicago many of the past few years, and Bayshore was even 80 degrees two years ago. If you have it in the fall, you are competing with those that sign up for bigger races, like NYC, Chicago, and Detroit. There's no reason why you can't race both this marathon and DxAA. In fact, DxAA might be perfect timing to see what your legs can do for 13.1 a couple weeks before the marathon. Pick your main event and run the others for fun / training. I think it is a great idea and hopefully it will get better (especially the course :) ) every year.
mrblond
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
Unless you're a marathoning machine (and I do know some who are), it's too close. I did the Brooksie before the Detroit two years ago and I think it contributed to some issues I had at the back end of the marathon. My wife injured herself at the Brooksie last year and struggled to prep for the NYC Marathon. Maybe I'm soft but I'm not willing to put 3-4 months of training at risk to run another competitive race close to marathon. It'll always be easy choice for me - the Dexter Ann Arbor or Bayshore and then the under appreciated Hungry Duck half 4 weeks later.
MRunner
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
For most marathoners that I know, two weeks prior to the actual event is a time for tapering and resting- not for testing your legs out. My guess is that, much like other smaller town races, the marathon will field a small crowd- perhaps 500 if that. The half may attract more, but in my opinion it is too close to the DxAA race, and the number of local runners who want to run a half-marathon in June will be choosing between the two rather than paying $120 to run both.
ccollins792
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Wow, Whats up with all of the negative comments after what was intended to be a positive article? I've done a couple CFC events and they are typically well run and well organized. This particular run is to benefit the A2 Public Schools Education Foundation. I think that should be applauded. I hope it turns out well and that it becomes an annual event.
DubiousWorth
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
What a horrible course. Six out and back 180 degree turns, a loop around the mall? Why? There are so many beautiful places to run in A2. And scheduled for a hot, muggy day in mid June? I hope that these bad decisions are not indicative of how the entire event is organized.
Terry Star21
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 6 p.m.
Agree, although it could work for a walking race....
Townie
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
The timing is bad and why CFC had to include a half marathon just like the Dx-A2 Half so close can only indicate that Mike wants to kill off the competition and have the date for his company. The race didn't need a half and, in fact, will likely detract from the full marathon (hard to staff so many races with volunteers, etc.). CFC is an LLC - not a 503 (c)1 non-profit like the Ann Arbor Track Club. It's a profit making venture and into staging 'events' more than races where the courses are very crowded and more social than competitive.
smokeblwr
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.
I agree with Pat. The timing with the traditional Dexter Ann Arbor run is odd, as well as the fact Champions for Charity sponsored Dexter Ann Arbor last year and dropped it this year and added their new race two weeks later. Isn't it going to be too hot for a marathon in mid June? I'd rather see this in October.
Pat
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 11:58 a.m.
Why are they having it so close to the Dexter-Ann Arbor run? People can't run both so close together. This will hurt participation in both runs.