If you've run a race in Michigan its likely that you have crossed paths with John and Anne Gault. This tandem has made an impact on Michigan racing for decades.  This coming year they expect to time more than 90 running races, many of them Riverbend Strider events in Flint.

John has been timing since 1969, back in the days when tongue depressors with your place marked on it were handed out to finishers. Anne was recently named Michigan Runner's Contributor of the Year for all her efforts. If you've run with a Champion chip attached to your shoe then your time has likely been logged in by the Gaults.

Anne got her race directing start while working for United Way and was asked by the marketing department to put on a race to raise funds. Her first event in 1984 led to meeting John.  Today this duo is involved with many major racing events and triathlons as well. Anne is the data expert while John coordinates all the equipment. Flint's Crim race is one of their biggest challenges because they score eight events and publish results within four hours.  With race day entry available, they have punched in as many as 700 names and addresses in an hour into their computer system.

Longtime members of the Riverbend Striders, they direct and time 17 of their club's races each year. Three of their favorites are the Lilac, Great Turtle and Mackinac 8 Miler, all runs organized on Mackinac Island. The Gaults also travel to work events such as the Honolulu Marathon and the World's best 10km in Puerto Rico. 

Criterion bike races or wheelchair events don't pose a problem. They just use a bigger plastic clip to attach the chip. Cell phones are often used for data hook ups to timing mats on various courses to get updated race reports. They also use video back up for their timing.

The Gaults have been married since 1993 after dating for eight years. Anne has two children from a previous marriage, one of which is an opera singer. They live in Flushing and grew up in the area.  John retired from GM where he spent 36 years in manufacturing engineering skilled trades.  Anne was a teacher at Davenport University Detroit College of Business.  But she is best known in the running community for her directorship of the Crim race during the late 90's. 

Anne is proud of the Crim training program she started and how it reached out to the community. It brought people to the sport that never thought about running or walking. She made a difficult decision in 1999 to step down as director and joined John in the race management side of the business.

The running world gives them the feeling of being part of a big family.  They enjoy the diversity of meeting runners from so many different cultures.  Runners are an intense group of people especially when it comes to checking their results. The personal interest can be overwhelming especially when a name isn't spelled quite right or a result needs to be confirmed.  The Gaults manage to work through the nervousness and sweat of athletes and send them home with a sense of accomplishment.

Special Note: Doug Goodhue from Milford was recently named USA Track and Field's MASTERS LDR Outstanding Athlete of 2002 in the 60-64 category.