St. Patrick's Corktown race gets a facelift
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

The Irish eyes are smilin' on one of Detroit's oldest running events.   St. Patrick's Corktown races are getting a facelift.   Runners will see a new sponsor; director, course and host club for its 4 mile run, 1.5 mile walk and kids run. Its 12:30 pm starting time this Sunday is new too.

The races will start a half hour earlier than previous years to give runners time to position themselves out on the parade route.

The Fraternal Order of United Irishmen and United Irish Society have supported the race since its inception 23 years ago.   They also coordinate the parade that immediately follows the race.   Proceeds from the event go to support St. Patrick's food programs

Fifth Third Bank is giving the event it first major sponsor.   It will be Fifth Third's second major race in Detroit.   Along with the Turkey Trot, they are the title sponsor for the River Bank Run in Grand Rapids and Solstice Run in Northville.   It probably didn't hurt that Fifth Third Bank Vice President Jack Riley is Irish.   Look for his pot of gold float in the parade and 5/3 employees volunteering in colorful t-shirts too.

Long time host club, the Motor City Striders stepped away from the event despite encouragement from the running community to continue its support.   Fortunately, the Downtown Runners and Walkers were willing to lend their volunteering expertise.   Fellow member, Rebecka Knox signed on as race director with a helping hand from your running columnist.   Grosse Isle Memorial Day race director Greg Everal and the Downriver Runners will be supporting the finish area.

The race will continue its tradition of starting at old Tiger Stadium and finishing at the Parade viewing stand near the Gaelic League on Michigan Avenue. The rest of the course has been redesigned to make it easier to set up the parade and reduce police support. It also showcases several entertainment structures in Detroit.   The course runs out and back along Michigan Avenue. In the middle it loops Campus Martius, fronts the Opera House, Comerica Park and the Fox Theatre before heading back along newly curbed Woodward Avenue.

Gault Race Management's chip timing will be used for the first time.   This will make it possible to award prizes in each age group and score all the finishers. Special recognition will be given to the best Male and Female costumed runners.   The annual John Cosgrove Memorial trophy will also be engraved with the overall winners from the 4 mile race.

A quarter mile run for kids begins from Tiger Stadium at noon. The Parade begins at 2 pm.

All the Corktown pubs will be packed and full of would be leprechauns. Bring your own food coloring if you want to drink green beer, its not an Irish tradition.

Registration and packet pickup may be done by mail or in person at Total Runner on Northwestern Highway in Southfield. Registration is also available on-line at www.downtownrunners.com/corktownraces.htm Entry fees include a St. Patrick's T-shirt, Pepsi and Absopure products.  

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