Dexter Ann Arbor
- By Doug Kurtis

The Dexter Ann Arbor Race this Sunday June 6 th has reinvented itself numerous times over the last 31 years to reach a phenomenal level of success.

The mainstays that bring more than 5,000 runners to the event are incredibly serene views along Huron River Drive; it's finish on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor and some of the best competition in the Metro Detroit area.

Once just a 15 miler, it has now become a half marathon, 10km and 5km run/walks plus a Kids fun run the day before.   Race Director Lew Kidder and host Ann Arbor Track Club continue to build excitement and interest to one of Michigan's premier races.

The event has a lot going for it. Ann Arbor has probably the largest running population in Michigan to draw from. This includes students as well as residents. Runners are seen constantly downtown and along the superb trails of the Barton Hills, Nichols Arboretum and Gallop Park. The AATC is one of the largest running clubs in the area that actively run together. It's a diverse club with many excellent programs for youths and adults. Plus AATC has built a membership with lots of race organization skills through its support of several road races and track meets in the area.

The half marathon begins at Dexter High School, traverses through Dexter while crossing railroad tracks (with no mishaps yet) and spends much its time along the Huron River. The 10km, which changed its start location several times, has finally settled on the Delhi Metropark as the warm up area.   The rustic wooden bridge above the babbling waters just before the start area provides a calming effect before the competition heats up.

The race has seen some the best age group competition in Michigan including such notable runners as Mindy Schmidt, Kathy Hadler, John Scherer, Paul Audemberge, Wally Herrala, Jim Forshee and many, many more. Kidder has decided to reward their efforts this year with a $100 bonus for breaking an age group record. Total prize money amounts to over $12,000.

Some runners may miss the traditional Memorial weekend race date but the decision to run Dexter/Ann Arbor the following weekend in conjunction with the Taste of Ann Arbor Food Festival last year resulted in increased participation.   Georgia's Dale Rayburn has been commissioned to design the traditional finisher's T Shirt.   Professor Rayburn has been a prominent artist at Ann Arbor's summer art fair and his contemporary paintings, etching and monotypes have been displayed at the Yale Museum of Art and the White House.

Other special features include bus transportation to each start area and sweat drop of at those locations. Showers are available at the Ann Arbor YMCA after the race by showing a race number. Child care is also available at the YMCA from 6 am to 12 noon for children ages 2 to 10 for a small fee.

The Start Time is 8:20 am for the Half Marathon, 10km Run and Fitness Walk and 5 Km. Call 734 662-1000 or go to www.dexterannarborrun.com for more information.