Firsts pile up quickly for changing organization
The word Crim in the title and a 10-mile run are two things that stayed the same over the first 30 years of what started as the Bobby Crim 10-Mile Road Race for Special Olympics.
But there have been plenty of firsts and highlights through the years. Enjoy a year-by-year look: 1977-1985; 1986-1995; 1996-2006. Or take a quick scan by reading what Journal staff writer Bill Khan listed as the 30 most memorable moments.
A big Crim decision on paying runners helped "decontaiminate' races, according to Journal reporter Bill Khan.
Getting the Crim on ESPN was a major coup in helping the Crim organization in the 1980s meet its goal of letting the world know the good things about Flint. See the clip here.
But it was WFUM who gave us same-day TV coverage first - every year since 1980. Jim Gaver, who retired in May, returns to anchor the 2006 broadcast. WFUM is sharing its 30-year retrospective online
The Journal also has gone to great lengths to cover the race, including going to the top of the downtown hotel, in a helicopter and up in a forklift for the perfect picture.
A collection of pages showing that coverage is available on our page reprint site.
A number of graphics are associated with the Crim during its first 30 years. Most see those images on the posters or T-shirts.
In honor of the 30th Crim,the 2006 poster design incorporates local landmarks including a brick street, “Vehicle City” arch and Flint’s downtown skyline.
Ward and production assistant Erica Kulhanek found it challenging.
“We had to lay it out so that it would be interesting and not overwhelming,” Ward said. “Some of the logos only exist on old T-shirts, so they had to be photographed and reduced in size.”
This year’s poster is a collector’s item, and will be available for purchase at the Crim Sports and Fitness Expo at Riverfront Character Inn, and at the Crim Festival Lot across from the race starting line on Saginaw Street in downtown Flint on Saturday.
Through the Years
• FIrst 10 Years - The first race, the first directors, course records, and a new organization
• Second Decade - A rainy day, new events, and a new name for the organization
• Third Decade - A new walking program, new leaders and a new name for the organization
• FIrst 10 Years - The first race, the first directors, course records, and a new organization
• Second Decade - A rainy day, new events, and a new name for the organization
• Third Decade - A new walking program, new leaders and a new name for the organization