Apparently, the Cherry Festival's Festival of Races is like a fine wine and gets better over time.
I'm sure over the course of the 30 years of the event, there have been changes here or there. But in Saturday's run, the changes were both noticeable and substantial.
And change is a good thing.
Praise should go to the race directors, who took what was already a "can't miss" event for northern Michigan runners and made it even better.
First and foremost, this year featured a corral start for both the 5K and 15K races. Runners were asked to line up based on their average mile pace.
With more and more runners participating in the event, this was a much-needed addition. Not only to ease the frustration of participants, but as a matter of safety.
Before, the start would be congested and downright dangerous as faster runners tried to pass the slower ones that somehow got in front of them. The problem was, on College Drive at Northwestern Michigan College, there wasn't anywhere to go.
The corral solved this.
This year, the finish line also saw some improvements.
The finish was moved from Sixth Street to the corner of Union and Front. Good move. Not only was there more space at the end, but it also gave a visible goal for the home stretch.
There was nothing better than reaching Front Street and being able to see the finish banner from afar. Plus, the final stretch coincided with the parade route, meaning spectator cheering and motivation was at an all-time high as runners dug deep for anything left in the tank.
The finish this year also benefited from new, disposable time chips. Before, runners had to immediately stop, bend down and remove the chip from their shoe when they finished. Not anymore. With the new chip, runners could cross the finish, spread out and immediately start re-living the race with their family and friends.
And for those running the 15K, that meant plenty of post-race discussion of the hill on McKinley Road.
I'm sure even those watching the race this year even noticed the changes. That's right, I'm talking about the participation T-Shirt.
A year ago, the shirt was very plain and simple in design. Not this year, as the 30th anniversary vintage featured a course map, logos and dates, all on a bright red shirt.
Well done.
Let's be honest here. For the majority of us running Saturday, we weren't competing; we were completing. And there is nothing more important than having a sweet T-shirt to show off our accomplishments.
I'm not sure what is left for the race directors to improve on for the 31st edition, unless they can figure out a way to lessen the slope on McKinley Road.
But then again, if they did that, what would the runners have to discuss at the finish?
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