Riverview's Winterfest
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

This Sunday at 10 am, the 25th running of Riverview's Winterfest 4 Miler is an opportunity to test your current fitness.   The event has a lot to offer runners looking for good competition and camaraderie with breakfast included.   It's one of the area's best winter races.   Riverview's recreation department originally created the event in 1981 as a 10km run.   Low attendance almost shut it down in 1988 but two energetic Downriver Runners Club members intervened to save the race and converted Winterfest to its current 4 mile loop through neighborhoods. Adding a pancake breakfast many years ago helped boost race entries to an all time high of 618 in 1992. It's Riverview's only race, although it doesn't come in site of a river (The Detroit River is about two miles away).   The course is flat and USA Track and Field certified. Hershey kisses fill up mugs that age group winners traditional take home for their efforts.   Overall and masters winners each receive gift certificates from sponsor Total Runner. The youngest and the oldest finishers receive special awards as does the first male and female High School finishers that have competed in the News Herald Track & Field or Cross Country Championships.   Competition has been tough.   Usually, there is a large contingent from the Hanson's Project team.   Six time winner, Laurel Park of Ann Arbor has held the course record of 22:55 since 1999.   Don Frazen of Rochester Hills broke four time winner Paul Aufdemberge's course record in 2003 with a 19:44.   Winterfest is one of the few races where runners stick around for the award ceremony.   Probably due to the hospitality and friendly atmosphere in the warm auditorium at Seitz Middle School. They also raffle off lots of prizes such as shoe certificates, shirts, water bottles, dinners, and free entries to a number of other races hosted by the Downriver and Island Road Runners.   Gary Olsen, a long time club member, has handled race results for the past ten years.   Usually getting them posted within twenty minutes of the last runner crossing the finish line.   Since 1980, Riverview resident David Howell has made major contributions to the race. His store, Total Runner, is the only specialty running store in the downriver area. They offer in-store Winterfest registration and packet pick-up at the Southgate store as a service to their customers.

Numerous others have played a key role in Winterfest's success.   Tony Mifsud, president of the Downriver Runners orchestrates all the activities. Mayor Tom Durand, recreation department director Todd Dickman, Police Chief Pat Knight, and the Riverview School District lend their support.   Last year $1,200 from the race was donated to the Riverview High School girls volleyball booster club for their work serving the pancake breakfast.

Two other icons of the running community, Delores and Harrison Hensley of Hell, Michigan have been fixtures at Winterfest. Harrison usually seen promoting various races by bringing flyers and often winning his age group while Delores helps out at registration and the finish line.

The entry fee is $18 through Saturday at Total Runner and $20 on race day. It includes one of the best looking long sleeve T-shirts that you'll find. For more information call 734 282-1101 or go to www.runmichigan.com/eventcalendar to find Winterfest's entry form.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226