Organizers and participants alike deemed the first annual Garden Run a rousing success.
Held Saturday morning at the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan's property in East Bay Township, the 10K and 5K running races and the 3K family walk drew nearly 70 participants.
During the event runners traveled through the variety of terrain sprinkled over the 80 acres, from open field to wood to hardwood conifer swamp. The longer races also traversed roads adjoining the property, situated off of Vanderlip Road near the intersection of Three Mile and Hammond roads. Walkers in the 3K event completed two loops on the property, logging a variety of paces from strolling to running.
Running on unimproved trails worked ankles a bit more than pavement but the beautiful scenery, brisk morning air and bright nsunshine helped compensate for any discomfort.
"It's a nice change of pace from being out on the pavement," said Jenny Galan of Traverse City, who is training for the Bayshore half marathon and completed a Garden Run's 5K. "This was a little challenging but it feels good, I haven't done any trail running before."
Society chair Karen Schmidt fielded many positive comments during the morning and noted that the society plans to make the Garden Run an annual event. They hope that in the future it is a destination event that draws people from all over to the Botanical Garden.
"We're going to do it next year and every runner we've talked to said they're coming back and bringing friends," she said. "Someday when we have 5,000 runners, we'll say, 'Remember when"¦?'"
The family run drew participants of all ages who variously ran or walked the course, younger ones usually going full speed.
Candace Rottman of Traverse City worked to keep up with her exuberant four year old, Anna, who rarely slowed her pace.
"It's very nice and very fun, a beautiful track," said Rottman after their high-speed 3K "walk." "It was good exercise and a good event."
Violet Bernard, 11, also ran the course during the family walk, keeping a steady pace to compensate for a regularly scheduled Saturday morning activity.
"I skipped track practice to be here," she said. "I like the course a lot."
After the races, society volunteers doled out hot dogs and cold ice cream to attendees; they also offered snacks of bagels, veggies and plenty of cool drinks during the event.
Besides donated food, volunteers with the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan received support from throughout the community for the Garden Run.
The Traverse City Track Club lent their expertise and some equipment to help the society set up, choose the courses and manage the Garden Run. Saturday morning, massage therapists from Advance Clinical Massage in Traverse City brought two tables and soothed sore muscles of runners.
In addition, many area businesses contributed prizes so that nearly every participant left with something, from manicures or pedicures and restaurant gift certificates to books and gift certificates to area nurseries. The big prize was a round of golf for four at The Bear.
"We've had some tremendous comments from the runners," said Mike McNulty of the society, adding of exciting young people about the future botanical garden: "To me, the most important race was the family walk."
For more information on the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan and upcoming events, see their website at www.northwestmichigangarden.org or call 935-4077.