The family has been running in Crim for 4 generations

FLINT, MI (WNEM) – Before Saturday’s main event, the Crim Race Festival, there was an opportunity for people to mingle with the runners at the Flat Lot in downtown Flint.

“This is all the fault of Bobby Crim and Lois Craig. She started me running,” said a McGowan family member.

And that motivation to run has been passed down four generations for the McGowan family: Mom started running Crim first in the early 80s, then her son, which got his daughter into running. And now his niece, Dahlia, is also running.

“To have fun doing all this and to see all these people having fun too. Because it’s great exercise,” Dahlia said.

“This is a big thing for us every year. So yesterday I was down here celebrating the 44th for another family member,” said a McGowan family member.

And while there will be celebrations, the McGowans are happy the long-standing tradition has been kept alive.

“This has been in Flint for so long. It’s nice that they kept Crim. It started right after I got out of high school,” said another member of the McGowan family.

Long-time Crim board member Robert Ransom said the Crim festival has always supported runners of all abilities, including those with special needs, with the Lois Craig Invitational held on Friday night.

“Now, as we approach our 47th year, we are still providing support for the Special Olympics,” Ransom said.

And on Saturday, Ransom and thousands of other contestants will have a chance to participate.

If you ask the McGowan family, it’s a day they never forget to mark on their calendars.

“I’ve never been anywhere on the fourth Saturday in August except this flat land,” said a member of the McGowan family. “We like it. It’s the most wonderful event in Flint.”

Subscribe to Newsletter TV5 and get the latest local news and weather direct to your email every day.

Copyright 2024 WNEM. All rights reserved.