sports

Southfield Summer
Soulstice Run

G

regg Leshman has turned his
also was the start-finish line director
passion for running and love
for the Detroit Free Press Marathon for
for Southfield into one
seven years (2009-2015).
ABOVE: The
of the city’s signature annual
Leshman approached
2016 Southfield Southfield officials in 2014 with
events.
Summer
Leshman is the founder/ cre-
his idea for a run/walk and festi-
Soulstice
ator of the Southfield Summer
val at the municipal campus.
5K race.
Soulstice Run, an homage
The officials liked the idea,
to the beginning of summer
Leshman said, but didn’t want
that includes a 5K run/walk,
to hold the events on the
a ⅓-mile run for kids and an
campus because of road work
accompanying family-friendly
being done on Evergreen.
Southfield Spirit Fest festival.
So, everything took place
Everything happens the
at Lawrence Tech in 2014 (on
Saturday closest to the sum-
the actual summer solstice of
mer solstice — June 17 — at
June 21 that year) and 2015
the Southfield municipal
before moving to the campus
Gregg Leshman
campus at 2600 Evergreen
in 2016.
Road. The start-finish line for
Having an evening race is
the 5K is on Evergreen.
unusual. Leshman thinks that’s a good
This is the fourth year for the event, time.
and a new activity has been added.
“I run in a lot of races. Most are held
The inaugural Spirit Fest parade will in the morning. You run, then you go
step off from Lawrence Technological
home. Why not sleep in on a Saturday,
University at 21000 W. 10 Mile Road
run in the evening, then have some-
and continue along Civic Center Drive place fun to go after the race?”
to the municipal campus.
The Summer Soulstice 5K is more
The parade is sponsored by the
of a social than competitive race,
Southfield Ambassadors, an all-vol-
Leshman said, but serious runners
unteer group of Southfield residents
take it seriously. Each participant
and business owners who work to
receives a medal and a T-shirt.
promote the city.
The Spirit Fest includes inflatables,
The event will start with the parade games, face painting and crafts for
at 5 p.m.; the festival from 5-11 p.m.;
children, live entertainment, a beer
the kids’ run at 6:30 p.m.; and then the tent and food trucks.
5K at 7 p.m.
Leshman said he’ll be putting up a
Several charities will benefit
vinyl banner there this year with the
this year, including Make-a-Wish
words, “Southfield means …” on it.
Michigan, South Oakland Shelter
Markers will be available for folks to
in Lathrup Village, Friends of the
finish the sentence.
Southfield Police Department,
About 60 volunteers work each year
Southfield Firefighters Charities,
at the event, which has raised about
Southfield Public Arts Commission
$4,000 since 2014. There were about
and Soles4Souls.
300-400 participants in the run in
Leshman, 51, said he developed an
each of the first three years.
affinity for Southfield when he was
To register in advance for the 5K
property manager for the Southfield
run/walk, go to www.SoulsticeRun.
Town Center office complex from
com. Race day signup for the 5K will
1992-1997. He’s now director of prop-
begin at 3 p.m.
erty management for the Surnow
For details, contact Leshman at
Company, a Birmingham-based real
(248) 770-1497 or gregg@soulsticerun.
estate firm.
com. •
A serious runner for about 20 years,
Leshman has competed in marathons, Send sports news to stevestein502004@
yahoo.com.
half-marathons, 5K and 10K races. He

‘

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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June 8 • 2017

2170470

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