Photo by Scott Sullivan
Diemer Amerikam 5K, Cutlerville
Rainbow of Son’s Sins, Fun and Robots Grace Diemer Run By Scott Sullivan
“This year we had Dad wear a helmet, earmuffs and turn a hand-crank that made an awful noise to start the race,” said Brian Diemer of sins he visited on his father, Everett, at the 23rd annual Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K road race. “One year Brian had me play a sheep’s horn,” recalled Diemer, Sr. “Another year I started up our old tractor (a 1948 Farm-All) and blew a can off its smokestack. I never know what he’ll spring on me.” “Dad will turn 80 this Christmas Day,” Brian said. “We’ll have to come up with something extra special next year.” “They have the race right before Father’s Day each year. See what I get?” Everett Diemer said. The record 1,670 entrants in this year’s races enjoyed a rainbow of treats. For the fleet, there was more than $7,000 in prize money to chase on a flat, fast course near the Diemers’ longtime homes southeast of Grand Rapids. There were wheelchair and handcycle competitions, a mile run for kids ages seven through 12, junior jogs for the littler ones, a post-race parade (paced by the old Farm-All) and Cutlerville Days festivities. Let’s not forget, on this morning where temperatures climbed to near 80°, an open fire hydrant near the finish, whose spray caught sunshine and
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Michigan Runner - July / August 2012
made a rainbow through which to scamper.
women’s masters winner in 18:25.
D-Day was more than Diemer Day for the race’s namesake. The 1984 Olympic steeplechase bronze medalist — now 50 but still running, like the Farm-All — offers a donut each year to anyone who can beat him.
The open and masters champs received tractor trophies as well as money. As unique as the trophies was Nicholas MacDonald, 15, of Lowell, who ran on this hot day with a box — painted with a robot’s face, tin-can ears and and nose hole cut for seeing — atop his shoulders.
Diemer held donut damages to 79 with his 18:54 time, grabbed a drink, then returned to greet fellow finishers.
Why? “Beep-beep,” Mr. Roboto said.
Kenyans — led by defending champ Sammy Malakewen, 34, of Two Harbors, Minn., in 14:19, ran 1-4 to claim top men’s prize money. Sixth overall was masters champ Ian Forsyth, 40, of Ann Arbor in 14:56. Journalist Danielle Salisbury, 30, of Hillsdale — fresh from winning the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon six days earlier — claimed the $600 first prize for women’s champion, finishing in 17:02. Next came Suzanne Larson, 34, of Fenton (17:18); Angela Matthews, 27, of Westand (17:35) and Denisa Costescu, 36, of Walled Lake (17:47). Amy Wing, 42, of Grand Rapids was the
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For complete results, go to http://classicrace.com. - MR -
Photo by Scott Sullivan
CUTLERVILLE (6/9/12) — What greater test of a father’s love than to endure fresh humiliations at his son’s hands in front of growing crowds every year?
Brian Diemer greets Tyler Diemer, age 12, who finished in 23:41.
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