September Races
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

September is a great month for road and trail racing.   Cool, crisp mornings and the leaves beginning to change. Many local shorter races help prep some runners for marathon season. This Saturday alone there are more than ten races in the Detroit metro area with well-organized events.   Here are a few:

The Lasalle Bank Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo will celebrate its ninth year. More than 2,500 participants from the 5 and 10 km races will circle the perimeter of the zoo through the streets of Huntington Woods. With the 5km starting at 8 am and the 10km at 8:45 am some of the elite competitors may run both to pick up some of the $10,000 in prize money spread out between the two events.

There is also a one mile non-competitive walk. Race fees include admission into the Zoo and the Post Race Party, which will feature live music and entertainment. The well-designed race T-shirt has been one of that won't sit in your drawer.

Now is a great time to visit the zoo. Eight month old polar bear cub, Talini is the first cub born at the Detroit Zoo in fifteen years. Also a first are two endangered white rhinos arrived that arrived in early July. Jasiri and Tamba will make the former elephant exhibit their new home.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Detroit Zoo's Animal Health Complex. The race website is www.runwilddetroitzoo.com and the Zoo's site is www.detroitzoo.org .

Four years ago, I devoted a column to Dances With Dirt. This Saturday morning at 7:45 am, DWD will be celebrating ten years of running 100 km (62 miles) through the rugged trails of Pinckney. It is well known that DWD teams love the challenge of competing on the steepest hills, thorniest swamps and areas with the worst footing. They routinely cross rivers just to keep the run as tough as possible. The relay event is already sold out but die-hard trail runners can still sign up for the 50 km or 50 miler with gun time at 6:15 am. Go to www.danceswithdirt.com .

On the East side, runners will start and finish on the Troy High School track to support the Foundation for Ashley's Dream which honors the memories of four high school students, including Ashley Easterbrook, who were killed by a drunk driver in the spring of 1997.   Proceeds from the race provide for college scholarships. The 5km run and walk begins at 9 am.   Contact David Easterbrook at 248 641-0992 or go to: www.ashleysdream.org .

South Lyon High School will host the 14th annual Witches Hat Run at 8 am. The 10km course has been redesigned.   It will mix paved roads and trails including the nearby rails to trail system.   The 5km run and walk starts at 9:30 am, just 5 minutes before the 10km.   Proceeds are donated to the boys and girls cross country teams through the efforts of the South Lyon High School Cross Country Boosters. Contact Sue Massuch at 437-6254 or go to www.slxc.com/witch.

If you have time for a min vacation head up to Mackinac Island this Saturday for its 35 th annual race.   Over 2000 runners and walkers will gather at Mission Point Resort to run and walk the beautiful 8 mile perimeter of Mackinac Island.   Go to www.gaultracemanagement.com or call 810 659-6493.

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