Prep Continues Behind Romeo 2 Richmond Race Starting Line

An estimated 500 runners will flood the Macomb Orchard Trail and fill the streets of downtown Richmond Sunday as they compete in the 5K and half marathon segments of this year's Romeo 2 Richmond Race.

Though many will receive awards, the big winner of the R2R is the Macomb Food Program.

The race's tagline "Running the Trail, Feeding the County" puts emphasis on the race's goal to provide $10,000 to the food program, which will buy 70,000 meals for Macomb County families in need.

"In Macomb County, over the last two years, we have seen an increase of over 50 percent in requests from families needing help with emergency food from the food pantries," said Sue Figurski, Macomb Food Program director.

"The Macomb Food Program is very grateful to all the runners, sponsors and others who help to make the event a success and allow us to continue to fulfill our mission to feed the hungry in Macomb County."

Registration on Race Day (Sunday)

More than 400 participants were already registered as of Saturday, with race-day registration still available starting at 6:45 a.m. Sunday in the Richmond High School parking lot.

• Half marathon: $55
• 5K: $35
• Includes race bags and technical shirts while supplies last.

As a volunteer at Saturday's registration and packet pickup, I can honestly say that the only thing organizers may not have under control tomorrow is the weather–and I can't say for sure they won't find some way to bring out the sun.

While I joined the race-day staff as part of Patch's Give 5 program (which has Patch employees spend five working days each year volunteering in their communities), fellow volunteers hailed from L'Anse Creuse and Romeo high schools, the International Academy of Macomb, Hansons Running Shop, Total Health Systems, and many other Macomb County businesses, schools and agencies.

Dozens more volunteers will be on-site tomorrow to see that the race runs smoothly from start to finish for all participants.

Kirk Bennion, 50, is one of more than 40 Macomb Township residents registered for the race.

Having run the 16th annual Chicago Half Marathon last weekend, Bennion is hoping to improve his time as he runs the R2R half marathon.

"It's always a race within yourself, to meet your own goals," Bennion said. "My goal is to get it done in under two hours."

Awards

Race timing and scoring services will be provided by Hanson’s Race Management, which will also offer gift certificates to as part of the awards.

The first 400 runners that finish the half marathon will receive a commemorative medal at the finish line, with awards also being offered in the following categories:

• Overall male and female winners
• Overall male and female masters winners. (Masters runners are 40 years and older)
• Medals to the top three age group finishers in the following age groups: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, (Age groups subject to change depending on attendance.)

If they so choose, runners can donate their medals to Medals4Mettle, a nonprofit that gives marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers’ medals to children and adults dealing with chronic or debilitating illnesses, who have demonstrated similar mettle, or courage in facing these challenges.

The half marathon race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Crystal Diamonds, 14713 33 Mile Road in Romeo. Runners will pass through parts of the Romeo area until they hit the Macomb Orchard Trail. The course will then take runners through Armada and then into downtown Richmond. Participants of the half marathon race will be bused to the start line (between 7-7:30 a.m.) from the finish line area.

The 5K route, which begins at 9 a.m., will start and end in downtown Richmond. Both races will end at Gateway Park, where there will be entertainment, snacks and refreshments.