BENTON HARBOR! ^_^ City No. 93

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Hobbiton Beer Run - 2020 - 5K

Michigan’s most dangerous city is not a major metropolitan area of Detroit or Flint.  It’s a small town nestled on Lake Michigan on the southwest side of the state, 50 minutes from South Bend Indiana.  In 2017 Benton Harbor reported 2,200 violent crimes per 100,000 people (22 per 1,000 residents) which included three murders.  48% of Benton Harbor’s population of 9,944 were homeless in 2016.  Since 2017 Benton Harbor has shown a steady decrease in violent crime.

We drove out to Benton Harbor on a Thursday evening.  It was a different day for a run to take place.  The benefit of a mid-week run was getting the weekend off.  The last time I had a weekend off from running was during the lockdown.  I’m not big on beer runs but I liked the “Hobbit” in Hobbiton Beer Run, the shirt design and the proceeds going to Benton Harbor library.  I was also excited to get Benton Harbor on the city list...More

Riverfest 5K - 2021 - 5K

A potentially great new race was left in disarray.  The failures of this race could have been avoided.  I should have asked for a refund the night before.  I was concerned when I got the email from SWMI RACERS stating they were no longer affiliated with the race.  I always have hope things will end up better than I expect.  I want to give every race a chance.  This was truly a one-of-a-kind circumstance for me.  I have never written so many negative things about a running event.  I do not enjoy being so critical...More

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