News: South Bend Tribune Article About 2007 5K Run/Walk

Tribune staff writer Jim Meenan has written an article supporting Granger Paths and our goals in the South Bend Tribune.

May 30, 2007

In the Wednesday, May 30 edition of the South Bend Tribune, staff writer Jim Meenan wrote an article about his experience in participating in this year's 5K Run/Walk. You can read the article on the South Bend Tribune's website by clicking here or you can see below for the full article.

"I ran in my first Granger Paths 5K Run/Walk on May 20, coming out of about a 12-year hiatus from 'competitive' running."

"And to be real honest, I was most definitely a runner/walker at this event."

"It was a great day for a race with borderline ideal conditions: Chilly air amid sunny skies (while we ran anyway)."

"The course is excellent -- as flat as can be and picturesque as it winds through the Granger neighborhoods, where some houses actually had people in the yards cheering us on."

"About my only surprise with the race was the amount of people in it, 300-plus."

"I realize it was 9 a.m. Sunday, but I would have thought this race would draw at least 500."

"Really, it should draw a good 1,000. The cause, to raise money to create multiuse pedestrian paths in Granger, is good. Plus, it's a fair course, well marked, and the event was well run, too."

"Minor improvement suggestions: Race instructions should be given via a hand-held public address system or the same one they used for all other announcements that day at the Harris Branch of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library. Shouting them to 300 people at the start/finish area did not work. About the only thing I heard clearly was 'Amen.' And I was in the middle."

"It's only a 5K, but I would think water at the halfway point would be a good idea, too."

"That said, the medical and police assistance at the race was plentiful. And there was plenty to eat and drink afterward. The library area is a great post-race area and there were plenty of high quality prizes given away in a drawing afterwards."

"Also worthy of a salute was Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, which allowed parking in its lot. And there was plenty more in an open field across the street from it."

"Hats off to Michael Clements, the men's winner and a nice guy, too, as I happened to bump into him (long after he had finished) and women's winner Amy Backhus."

"Here's hoping the Granger Paths 5K Run/Walk can reach at least 600 participants next year and a 1,000 in the years ahead."

"It's a great race/run/walk. And it was great to be a part of that scene again."