The 33rd running of the Crim Festival of Races is this weekend, and organizers say it'll be bigger and better than ever before.
When the thousands of runners and walkers compete this Saturday, they'll be part of a global event. While they pound the bricks of Flint's Saginaw Street, hundreds of soldiers in Iraq will be pounding the sand.
Flint native and soldier Fames Streich organized a 10-mile event at Camp Victory Baghdad.
Race director, Deb Kiertzner, says "We ended up shipping over 600 shirts and bibs to them. They're running a virtual Crim a few hours earlier because the start time would be too hot. We'll have video at the start line to see the guys over there."
This year's Crim features another first, it's been awarded the United States Track and Field Women's 10-mile Championship. Elite runners from all over the country will be competing.
Next year, the men will have the championship race at the Crim.
Kiertzner says, "That speaks to the level of respect the Crim has around the country."
Barbara McQuillan is running her 4th crim this year. She says, "I'm not out to win it, but just to finish and feel good."
She believes the event is Flint's finest day all year.
She says, "It's a great time down here. All the people on the road encouraging you, give you water, spray you down, the music, it's encouraging."
Race officials say, numbers should be good this year. Already, 1,000 additional people have signed up compared to this time last year.
130,000 dixie cups are ready to be filled. There are more medals, t-shirts, and food than ever before.
NBC25 is the proud entertainment sponsor of the Crim Festival of Races.
