The Zanglin Downriver Run
- By Doug Kurtis

This Friday night, June 11, over 1,000 runners and walkers will be coming to Trenton to participate in the 22nd Anniversary of the Zanglin Downriver Run and street party.   Although it's been twelve years since it was called the Treadmill Run, runners still associate the race with creator Dr. Joseph Rogers who had the idea of putting on a race to get his heart patients to be more physically active.  

Rogers planned to discontinue the race until Jim Zanglin walked into his office and asked for an explanation.   Rogers handed him the director files and politely told him that the job was now his.   Zanglin was already connected to the Trenton community through his commercial and residential reality company, which has twenty employees. He is also an avid runner and can often be seen running through town calling out to people that there is plenty of room in the road for them to join him.  

These days Jim Zanglin has time to run every other day.   He claims that one reason he stays in shape is so that on Z Night, the Zanglin 8km race, when runners ask to see the race chairman they won't point and say "he's that fat guy over there".

Zanglin is actually the chairman of the event, while Island Road Runner Eve Howell, is the race director. They, along with other local running clubs, have maintained the Zanglin Downriver Run as one of the top 50 races in Michigan.

It's one of the few evening races and street parties still left. When residents see the race banner stretched across West Jefferson Avenue it's like sending a message that summer is about to kick off.  The event has motivated many people to walk or run.  Some have come one year as a spectator, and return the next as a participant.  Zanglin encourages people to just try it once and to forget about the fear of being embarrassed or finishing last.  

The city of Trenton embraces the participants and like a diamond in the rough. Its city sparkles and surprises newcomers when they arrive. Trenton continues to improve its streetscape with new lighting, sidewalks and trees. The race loops through the downtown and Elizabeth Park, which is actually an island, then rambles past well-maintained, old-world elegant homes along Riverside Drive.  

The frosting on the cake is that generous sponsorships enable the event to donate money to several charities such as The Stream Team, City of Trenton Animal Shelter and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.   Hundreds of t-shirts from the run have been donated to children in Haiti.  

While the Zanglin 8k and mile run has showcased some of Michigan's speediest runners by offering prize money and age group awards it's most proud of the fact that families can come and it has something to offer everyone.  Their goal is to make physical fitness fun and easy.  

The Mile starts at 7:30 pm and the 8km at 8:00. For more information, call Total Runner at: 734 282-1101 or search www.zanglinrun.com.