If life is viewed as a race the city of Flint has become a major competitor.

The training regimen of uphill climbs through economic downturns and unemployment has strengthened its legs. Accepting the uncertain, but ongoing, challenge of reinvention has built its endurance.

Factoring unforeseeable illness and efforts to recover from the issues associated with the discovery of lead in the city’s water supply brings motivation into the picture. Flint has all the key traits of a world-class runner: strength, endurance and motivation.

From professional runners to disabled participants, the 41st HAP Crim Festival of Races embodies the city’s courage to stride ahead. While the event, which takes place Aug. 25-26, is in its 41^st year, its meaning to the community has increased in recent years, particularly in light of the water emergency.

This year’s race welcomes the return of 2016 Crim winner Dathan Ritzenhein and includes an added incentive for some determined participants: The prize purse for top Michigan runners will prove competing in an event that celebrates Flint can literally pay dividends.

“In some ways I feel like we’ve been riding a wave of momentum since last year’s 40th Crim,” says Andrew Younger, race director. “With historic attendance and the positive messages that flowed from throughout our community, we showed the world that Flint is indeed alive and well, and is a wonderful, healthy community – not just on race day, but all year long.”

As always, runners and walkers of every skill level are invited to compete, though competing is less the goal of Crim than camaraderie. A new 10-mile course route, entertainment, unique medals, and a commemorative race t-shirt are all part of the 2017 experience. Participants from throughout the country and overseas have been known to support the event and help honor the city.

It’s been said that Crim participants – some of whom undergo year-round training programs or benefit from Crim Foundation mindfulness courses, nutrition education and other initiatives – gain memories to last a lifetime. Well, if life is a race toward the finish line of happy people in united communities nothing could be more fitting.

For more information, visit www.crim.org.

Saturday, August 26, 2017 – HAP Crim Festival of Races

  41st HAP Crim Festival of Races, Andrew Younger, Crim Festival of Races, Crim Fitness Foundation, Dathan Ritzenhein, HAP, Health Alliance Plan

Comments

comments