The Island Road Runners
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

This month, The Island Road Runners club from Grosse Ile is celebrating their 25 th anniversary. It all started when two running partners, Art Garside and Danny Drotar, put an ad in the local newspaper, the Camera Ile. They asked runners to show up Saturday mornings at the Community Center on Meridian Road.

About ten local runners came out to run six miles and meet for breakfast afterward.   It didn't take long to decide on a name for the club. The Island Road Runners seemed like a natural fit. Today the club has grown to a solid core of 85 members.   They continue to meet on Saturdays at 8:30 am all year round. Now they run from Grosse Ile Middle School and meet afterward for breakfast at Kathy's restaurant.

Garside was a serious runner, once running five marathons in one year. He introduced the club to the Tin Man, a homemade triathlon that included running, canoeing and biking.   Track and Treats was another Garside creation. Club members started meeting for track workouts and Garside invited everyone to his house for treats afterward as a reward for working hard.

Several years ago the IRR voted to drop the track workouts. Now on Saturday mornings, members sign up to do tailgate treats while providing homemade goodies and beverages after the run.   The club puts on several low-key events such as the Ride and Tie, a Halloween costume run and Summer Solstice picnic.   A few weeks ago the club held its annual Prediction Run.   Runners guess what their finish time will be for completing a 4 to 6 mile run.   Special awards were presented later that evening at the IRR's annual holiday banquet.

The club became a member of the Road Runners Club of America in 1995 to help provide support and encouragement to runners and walkers in the area. Member Tim Laporte started, and continues to write for, the club newsletter that is published four to five times a year. The IRR promotes community fitness and awareness to people of all abilities. They have a web site for information: www.islandroadrunners.net

Two of Michigan's top fifty races are hosted by the Island Road Runners. Each Memorial Day the club organizes and sponsors an 8km race and 1 mile fun run at Grosse Ile High School. It's a homespun event that showcases the island, has club homemade cookies and a post race club party.

Each June, the club supports the Zanglin Downriver Run in Trenton. It's another 8km that has consistently attracted some the best runners and street partiers in the area.   Last year, the Island Road Runners helped resurrect the Applefest Run as part of a festival in New Boston.   They also organize a 20 mile training run for the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon in lower Huron Metro Park.

The Island Runners provide many opportunities for members to become involved.   They all share in club duties. During its 25 years they have had 16 different presidents.   One of them, Bob Welch, summed up the club philosophy. He said, "This club is like and extended family. It's not about who you are or where you live. It's about being there."

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