Weekend Events
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

This Saturday, two great running and walking events are ready and set to go. The Midwest Corporate Cup Relays will be held all day at Southfield High School. The 15th annual Komen Detroit Race for the Cure will begin and end at Comerica Park.

The corporate cup relays have been held since 1987. Three divisions, based on company size, level the playing field. Few employees are elite athletes, which makes it interesting for team captains to figure out which event is best to place them. Teams can use this meet to qualify for this year's national meet in Golden, Colorado.

Before the track and field events begin there is a team scored 10 and 5 kilometer run and a 5km walk. A team scored shot put, long and high jump is part of the program. More than a dozen track events which include relays such as executive, masters, distance, all women and sprint. There is also a combined time mile and women's 800 meter. The program includes a break for team photos.

In Division I, GE initially dominated the meet.   Ford Motor Company has been first or second for all but a couple years. They had an eight year winning streak until recently.   GM has taken the last three team titles. Diamler Chrysler and Visteon have fielded some good teams, while Autoliv and Park Davis have been top performers in Division II.

The Corporate Cup Relays are unlike any other team event. According to meet director and Midwest Corporate Athletic Association President; Joe Baldwin, "In a time of intense market competition, and extremely tight budgets, this event is a beacon of cooperation and sportsmanship for Corporate America." It definitely falls under team building as well as friendly competition. It's a challenge putting together the right relay legs based on age and gender as well as ability.

The event raises money for two local charities. MCCR supports Michigan Special Olympics and the Michigan Humane Society. MHS usually brings out puppies to show, some of which have been adopted by athletes at the meet. Meet information can be obtained at: www.mwccr.org

Also, Saturday morning, the "Warriors in Pink" will be in full force, running and walking to make a difference for women and men that have survived or are fighting breast cancer. The response to Detroit's Komen Race for the Cure has been incredible. Last year, well over 25,000 runners and walkers showed their support.

More than one million people are expected to participate in at least one worldwide Race for the Cure. In Detroit, fund raising has exceeded $1.3 million. Companies like Ford Motor Company have been mobilizing efforts of its employees with gift basket and merchandise fund raisers as well as a huge show of support through participation and volunteers.

Children are welcome to the event. A race day area has been designated Children are Co-Survivors too. Beginning at 7 am, breast cancer survivors can celebrate with one another over breakfast at the Survivor Café in front of Comerica Park. Many participants will be wearing "In Celebration of" or "In Memory Of" signs on the back of their race T-shirt.

Event information can be obtained by going to: www.karmanos.org/detroitraceforthecure

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