Door County’s First Green Trail Run, Introducing the Team that Brings You “Running Green for Crossroads,” June 26
Posted on 24. May, 2010 by Stephen Kastner in Quiet Sports
The 2Km, 5Km, 10Km trail walk run on Saturday, June 26, will be staged entirely off-road, in and around Crossroads at Big Creek nature preserve.
Running Green for Crossroads
After Sturgeon Bay runner, Gretchen Schmelzer took part in a trail run at The Navarino Nature Center in Shiocton a year ago, she got inspired to bring the concept back home with her to Crossroads at Big Creek. What better place to host a very earth-friendly running event? She saw so many parallels, and the philosophy of the sponsoring organization, Great Lakes Endurance Series, was one she wanted to emulate. As a member of the Crossroads’ Board of Directors, the President of Friends of Crossroads and a trail runner, she realized it would be a great venue to bring new people of all ages to the nature preserve.
The seed for “Running Green for Crossroads” was planted and since November it has been nurtured by a dedicated team of Crossroads’ committee members who began to share her vision.
“I’ve been running trails for several years, in the county mostly,” says Schmelzer. “Trail running connects me to the earth and provides balance in my life. Running through the woods or along the water’s edge refuels my spirit and reminds me of what is true and real.”
Theresa Kay-Meredith, artist and tri-athlete, designed a logo. Jerry Burke, head Cross Country and Track coach for Sturgeon Bay High School, took on the task of developing the run routes and also helped design and map the posters and brochures.
“I have been running for about 38 years, having run both CC and track in high school and college,” Burke explains. “The idea of having a trail run for Crossroads has been kicked around for many years so I was more than happy to help coordinate this event and look forward to many successful runs in the years to come.”
“Crossroads is a magical place very much worth protecting and supporting,” says team member Deb Whitelaw-Gorski, director of Rehab Services at Door County Memorial Hospital. She assists newbie athletes in connecting with like-minded people and encourages them to discover nature and exercise. “I saw a fox on the trail in front of me. When I turned to walk the opposite way to not disturb it, I saw 2 deer in the field next to me! How amazing. Crossroads has also been my refuge, with running streams and bridges when I need to unwind after a long day.”
Jim Maki, one of the original founders of Crossroads, which started 20 years ago, says it has always been a dream of his to have an event such as “Running Green” at the center. “Thanks to Gretchen Schmelzer and the group of dedicated people she has assembled, we will have an event that fits beautifully with our mission. This is another giant step toward that dream of introducing more people to the Crossroads at Big Creek plus educating everyone to the green revolution. I’m proud to be a part of our ”Running Green” event.”
John Munch was first introduced to Crossroads as a member of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society. He’s also 30-year running advocate, having run races from 400 m to 50 km, including 13 marathons. He hopes to see “Running Green for Crossroads” succeed in raising funds and community awareness.
Carol Mulinix and her family have run in many races throughout the years including the Door County Half Marathon. She says she joined the team because of the “green” aspects which will be keystone to the Crossroads event.
“It would be great if we could get all race directors to get runners to bring their own water vessel so the waste of paper cups at water stations stop,” she says. “I’m hoping that we can implement some of these same philosophies that we are doing for Running Green for Crossroads at other local running events.“
Stephen Kastner has been a fan and promoter of quiet sports in Door County for forty years. In 1970 he opened the Peninsula’s first lightweight 10-speed bike shop and cross-country ski center in Fish Creek. He’s now a marketing consultant, working with Crossroads since it was founded and the editor and publisher of the Door County Style magazine. He is taking on the publicity campaign.
“I like to work with new forms of advertising, ones that promote Door County in a paperless fashion, to people who like nature and who will come here with the intention of leaving no footprint behind them,” says Kastner. “This is a perfect event, entirely compatible with the magazine’s green mission.”
The Running Green Team has declared it their mission: “To support the general fund for Crossroads at Big Creek Environmental Learning Center, to promote cross-generational recreation and increase awareness of ‘green’ living in our community.”
“Running Green for Crossroads,” the first annual eco-aware trail run in Door County, takes place on Saturday, June 26 at 9 am. All of the courses, including a 2Km, 5Km and 10Km trail walk or run are staged on the woodlands and open fields in and around Crossroads at Big Creek. You can download a race packet with trail maps and registration form online at CrossroadsAtBigCreek.org and, you can save money by registering before June 12.
The following awards have been provided through the generosity of a number of local supporting businesses.
All preregistered participants will receive:
- a custom printed Organic Cotton T-shirt made possible through start up support funding from Door County Memorial Hospital Ministry Health Care.
- a reusable market bag donated by Michelle Harmann of Path and Paddle Outfitters.
All participants will receive locally produced refreshments after the run that include biodegradable products donated by Glas the Green Coffeehouse. All 2k finishers will receive a native sapling donated by Evergreen Nursery.
Prizes for winners include locally produced Cherry De-lite products, from Country Ovens and maple syrup from Jamie and Mike at Henschel Farms, handcrafted glass acorn necklaces by local artist, Beth Ruth of Acme Beads and blown glass pieces created by local artists, Jeremy Popelka and Stephanie Trenchard of Trenchard-Popelka Gallery.
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