Ever Wonder About the Donut?

The 18th Annual Brian Diemer Amerikam 5k Race will be held Saturday, June 9, 2007, in heart of Cutlerville. The race is recognized as one of the top Michigan races, and is part of the 35th Annual Cutlerville Community Days festivities sponsored by the Cutlerville Chamber of Commerce. The race’s name sake, Brian Diemer, is all about having a great time as well as doing your best on this 5k course that wanders through tree-lined neighborhoods and the beautiful Pine Rest grounds, ending on 68th Street near the community project “Vision for Division”.

“Brian Diemer is one of the most humble, honest, giving men”, stated Robert Hyde the co-race director and long time friend, “But, he also has quite a sense of humor.” About 10 years ago, that sense of humor showed up in the form of a fun reward offered to any runner who could beat Brian in the annual event- thereby creating the Donut Challenge. The first year of this sugar-coated challenge yielded 20 runners who beat the 3-time Olympian and Steeplechase Bronze Medal winner. Brian even sports a t-shirt with a “donut” bulls-eye on the back to jest with runners coming up from behind. “The idea was if they beat me, I would reward them with donuts, then perhaps I might be able to beat them next year”, Brian shares with a huge grin. The Calvin College Track and Cross Country Coach knows that runners thrive on little challenges, and things that make the race personal and fun. He stated that his team loves to follow him through the race only to speed past at the end and have a laugh with Coach Diemer while eating the donut. Last year, 10 years after the initial “Donut Challenge”, about 3 dozen runners enjoyed the treat.

Additional information regarding the Brian Diemer Amerikam 5k Race is available at diemerrun.com or 616-295-8633.