News: Dow RunWalk

Credit : Midland Community Center Hello, on May 17th 2015, you’ll be organizing the Great Lakes Bay Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located? The race takes place in Midland, Michigan. How old is the race and why was it created in the first place? This is the 4th annual Great Lakes Bay Marathons and Relay. The Marathons are part of the larger Dow Weekend of races, which include the Dow RunWalk on May 16th and the GLB Marathons and Relay. The money raised by the marathons goes toward creating and maintaining the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail. Once completed, it will be close to a 100-mile system that will give walkers, runners, riders, and skaters access to a multitude of destinations throughout the region — including natural areas, parks, recreational facilities and beautiful landscapes. Connecting our trails will provide our region with environmental, economic, and recreational benefits as well as new opportunities to improve our health/quality of life and increase our community and regional collaboration. Credit : Midland Community Center What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? The 4th annual race offers a flat, fast course with scenic views through 3 counties in the Great Lakes Bay Region with the epic finish inside Dow Diamond. How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract? We expect between 700 and 800 runners for this year’s event. The GLBM attracts runners and walkers of all skill levels. With the addition of the relay in 2014 it opened the door for athletes of all ability levels to take part. Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances? - The Half-Marathon: 13.1 miles - Marathon relay: 26.2 miles, with up to five people per team - Dow RunWalk : 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Walk, 1 Mile Run, Tot Trot At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? Mild and sunny. Have you planned festivities around the marathon? Race Expo, Great Lakes Loons Baseball games, etc. Credit : Midland Community Center The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Midland before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? There are many sights to see in Midland, Michigan. A bustling downtown with shops and restaurants; the Midland Farmer’s Market, also located downtown; beautiful trails near the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers, accessible from the Tridge; more natural trails and bike trails located at Midland City Forest; acres of horticultural beauty at Dow Gardens; exhibits and productions at the Midland Center for the Arts; the Midland Community Tennis Center, one of the top 25 tennis facilities in the country; golfing at Currie Municipal Golf Course; and more! In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Great Lakes Bay Marathon? Proceeds from your race entry fee go directly to the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trails, giving users access to natural areas, parks, recreational facilities and beautiful landscapes, so join us for your first race, your 51st or the marathon relay, as we run for fun, run for health and run for the trails. Interview with Greg Roan, Community Events Manager for the Greater Midland Community Center. Greg and his team also host the Great Lakes Loons Pennant Race, Dow RunWalk, The Forest Frenzy and TrikidsTry kids triathlon.