Heat the Streets
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Detroit's newest race on the block is about to hit the streets and hopefully heat them up too.   Many races get behind a cause but this one is directly related to the city and our winter.

Heat the Streets promises to be one of the hottest races this season.

Race Director Stephan Moran has a whirlwind of enthusiasm and has been upbeat and positive despite some recent logistic hurdles to jump.   "It has been absolutely amazing how the City of Detroit has come together and called this event its own", says Moran.   " Everyone from the City departments to the corporate sponsors, from low-income to high-income residents - the community has wrapped its arms around this and has nurtured it to be a major success.   I am very blessed to have the honor to lead such a great event for an awesome cause."

Heat The Streets expo will open its doors, thanks to Compuware, this Friday from 3 to 8 pm and Saturday from 6 to 8 am. Over sixty exhibitors are expected to feature their wares in the Atrium. Race numbers, T-shirts and goodie bags can be picked up there.   A Steve Yzerman autographed puck as well as autographed footballs and baseballs plus Opera tickets will be available at the expo's silent auction.

The 10km run originally planned for 8 am on Saturday will now start with the 5km Run at 8:30 am. The 5 km walk will start 15 minutes later.   Last minute changes have altered the course.   Plans are for it to traverse two 5km loops that include the Fox Theatre district, Comerica Park, Ford Field and Greektown.    Parking is available at Greektown, the Compuware structure and numerous surrounding lots.

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be serving as grand marshal to launce the festivities. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group at the post race gathering in the Hard Rock Café. National Heating and Cooling will be giving away a heat package that will cover a single resident's highest month gas bill for the winter.

Heat The Streets/Walk For Warmth is planned to be an annual charity event sponsored by the Department of Human Services to raise the awareness of the need for additional funding for low-income citizens of Detroit and raise additional funds for the same low-income families who are struggling to cover their increasing utility costs, resulting in the loss of heat during the cold winter months.

Last year, the City of Detroit DHS helped make available funds for utility bills to over 2,000 families.   Another 1,800 were left out in the cold. Donating to heating programs helps serve the impoverished community and the working poor.

Organizers are shooting to raise 250,000 with the assistance of the DTE Energy Fund matching program.   Over $15,000 has already come in.  

To register: Forms are available at most running specialty stores. Online registration is available at www.heatthestreets.org .   For more information call 313 887-1153 or email Stephen Moran [email protected] . Email [email protected] to volunteer.

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