Cheesetown Races More About Charity Than Finishing First

Cheesetown road races ran towards success -- and held another winning event

June 18, 2008
By: Jeni Joan

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On Your Mark . . . Get Set . . . Go . . . Pinconning Cheesetown Two-Mile Walk/Run.
(MyBayCity Photo by Jeni Joan)

On Your Mark . . . Get Set . . . Go . . . Pinconning Cheesetown Five-Mile Run.
(MyBayCity Photo by Jeni Joan)

Vince Lombardi once said: "Winning isn't everything. It's the ONLY thing."

While I admire Lombardi, and am somewhat of a fan, I must respectfully disagree. Sometimes a football game is more than just tackles and touchdowns. And sometimes a race is more than just who crosses the finish line first.

This was proven at the annual Cheesetown road races, which were held on June 14th, 2008. Two races were held, a two mile walk/run and a five mile run. The two mile walk/run took place at six pm, starting in front of Pinconning High School and ending at Doc Letchfield Park. The five mile run began at six thirty on Van Etten Street and ended again at Doc Letchfield Park.

The energies were high and of course there was a competitive spirit as it got closer for the races to start. However, for many participants, it wasn't just about competition; it was about a sense of accomplishment -- raising a lot of money for the deserving charity, the Boys and Girls Club.

Kim Wolkens, a first time racer who ran the two mile walk/run would agree with this. For her, the race didn't just mean a chance to compete or a chance to exercise. No, for her the race "is a chance to bring people together in unity for the same goals -- to raise money for a worthwhile cause and to show a loyalty to the area."

Thus, this year, like years before, we are all winners. Whether you finished the race or not, whether you ran the race or just gave money, or whether you just came to watch, your contribution made a difference, you made a difference, especially for the Boys and Girls Club. Once again, the Cheesetown road races ran towards success -- and held another winning event!