Beat Beethoven
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Something new in road racing events is happening this Friday night at 7 pm.   The Beat Beethoven Run for Breast Cancer will challenge runners to cross the finish line before the conclusion of Beethoven's fifth symphony, Ode to Joy.

Runner's will have 50 minutes to cross the finish line of the 8km run or 4km walk before the symphony's conclusion.   Based on average times for the distance, eighty percent of the participants should be able to complete the course by the final note. (Others can still finish without the music).

It should be a magical evening of music and food.   Erie Street, known as Windsor's little Italy will play host to the course and Ludwig's masterpiece. Race organizer, Gary Belanger, owner of The Running Factory, intends to amplify the music using the lead and trailing vehicles as well as the fluid stations on the course. Local radio station, CKLW also plans to do live cut ins with the music during its broadcast.

The race is part of the International Dragon Boat Festival that runs through Sunday. This festival has raised $138,000 for breast cancer in its first two years. On Friday night from 6pm to 1 am the Via Italia / Erie Street business association will welcome runners and survivor teams to a festival of food. Spagos Ristorante, one of Erie Street's premier pasta places in the heart of the district will host the post race party.

All participants will be eligible for some great door prizes. The Running Factory has been urged to start a tradition of awarding a special prize to the last runner or walker to Beat Beethoven's symphony.

Stateside runners are encouraged to give themselves 30 minutes to cross the border and arrive to the start on time.   Pledge sheets are available at www.runningfactory.com or calling 519 945-3345.

Last weekend, local running legend, Greg Meyer was voted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, New York. Meyer was the last American male to win the Boston Marathon with a 2:09:03 in 1983. He also set a first timer record by winning the Detroit Free Press Marathon with a 2:13:07 in 1980.

Meyer was an All American athlete while competing for the University of Michigan. During his post college career he set American road race records for 8km, 10 km, 15km, 10 miles and also the 25km at the Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids.

No stranger to the Hall of Fame, Meyer has been inducted into the Road Runners Club of America, ESPN Road Racing and Grand Rapids Sports Halls of Fame.

Although he no longer competes, Meyer is active in the running community. In addition to his position as the Regional Director of Major and Planned Gifts for the University of Michigan, he helps local high school kids, primarily at Dexter High School. Two of Michigan's most competitive races, the 5/3 River Bank Run and the Crim in Flint have hired Meyer to solicit some of the world's best athletes to race in Michigan.

It is these contributions and more that inspired his peers to nominate him for induction into distance running's most prestigious hall.

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