200th Column
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Today is my 200th running column for the Detroit Free Press. It's been fun finding ways to be creative every week and developing a solid base of readers who love the sport of running.  

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas via emails.   This space is dedicated to all of you that want to follow something other than major sports and consider running a great activity whether it is at the professional, serious amateur, or fun runner level.

I have done my best to offer you a variety of columns.   Personal profiles are my favorites. Shedding light on great athletes, coaches or the brand new greenie runners. Promoting races is a service that is close to my heart since I help direct a number of them myself. No one works harder than the race directors and their staff of volunteers. How To's are helpful, especially for the beginning runners. Most running tips can be accessed through a variety of other avenues so you rarely see much from me in this regard.

Of course, I focus some columns toward the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon. You wouldn't be reading this without my connection to this fabulous event.

I've received some wonderful feedback from you.   Readers were touched by the Bob Park's, (renowned EMU track and cross-country coach) story as well as this month's Father's Day column.   It was sad yet inspiring to write about the passing of 96 year old marathon legend Jim Ramsey.

Usually, I stay away from controversial columns unless I find that no one is willing to shed light on a touchy subject.   Bob Parks continues fan out emails about bringing back track to Western Michigan. My column was not only about pushing its reinstatement but letting you know that it could happen at other schools with disinterested administrators.

I was happy to see that the Motor City Striders continue to function as a club. It would have been disappointing to see the biggest club in the Detroit metro area disappear.   If you haven't joined a local running club I promise that you will find it to be one of the best rewards you could give yourself.

Personal criticism is one of the hardest things for me to write.   My grandmother taught me to always find the best in people.   Olympic high jumper Dwight Stones wrote back to defend his TV analysis of the Boston Marathon. I still say that there are plenty of knowledgeable, articulate and experienced marathoners who can do better.

It's hard to find time to read any books let alone those on running. Still there were several that I found worth reading and shedding light on.   Thank you Gene Myers, my editor, for handing me Bannister's Mile Still One for the Ages, just before the 50 th anniversary of the breaking of the 4 minute mile.   Dean Karnazes ultra marathon story had a good sense of humor to it.   I still owe you my thoughts about marathon great Dick Beadsley's delightful book, Staying the Course.

A special thanks to my prime editor, Owen Davis, for his critical eye. He has helped keep my facts straight.    My girlfriend Ann Gere should also be acknowledged for her suggestions on the local running perspective.

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