The Man who is Behind the Race Northville’s Alan Whitehead makes running events more fun
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orthville’s Alan Whitehead has always been passionate about running. Initially it was to stay in shape, but before long he began running in races, working his way up from 5K’s to marathons. He ultimately completed 22 full marathons in his life. Whitehead wanted to share his passion for running with others, which is why, in 2003, he organized the first Kona Run in Northville. A year later, he founded the Kona Running Company and has been organizing themed runs and races around the state ever since. The name of the company was derived from his frequent visits to Hawaii and drinking Kona Coffee. Some of his races include the Wicked Halloween Run and Kona Chocolate Run, which are both run in downtown Plymouth, as well as the Kona Strawberry Run in 2015 and Kona Cheesecake Run in 2016 plus the Buffalo Wild Wings Race and Strohs Legend Run in 2017. Two of the more recent are the Jolly Pumpkin Run and the Moonlight Run at Fox Hills in 2018. Before this chapter in his life, Whitehead, 65, had a long career in the corporate world, serving as sales executive with automotive suppliers, including Takata, Asahi Glass, and
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Guardian Industries. He also worked in pharmaceutical sales with Pfizer, Warner-Lambert, Proctor & Gamble. That sales background has definitely helped him organize such a variety of running events. One of the most successful is the upcoming Shamrock Race, which he founded in 2012. The race, which is run in downtown Plymouth, will take place March 17 on St. Patrick’s Day. This festive race will include 10K and 5K routes, as well as a new Rainbow Half Mile Course for the little less serious runners/ walkers. With the race approaching, we had a chance to catch up with Whitehead. Here’s his story: The ‘Ville: How did you get involved in running? Whitehead: I ran to keep in shape and to handle stress. I was athletic all my life. In my 30’s I began to run 5Ks. I gradually increased to half marathons and full marathons and completed 22. The ‘Ville: Tell us about your favorite running story? Whitehead: I was on a training run up in Petoskey and I was chased by a German shepard dog for over two miles. I jumped up onto an old horse drawn wagon and waited until the dog went away.
Alan Whitehead
The ‘Ville: What made you decide to start organizing races? Whitehead: I was growing tired of 45-50 mile training weeks and I knew my serious running career was beginning to end, so I joined the Detroit Free Press Marathon race staff in 1999 and eventually became the co-race director of the Parade Co Turkey Trot in Detroit. I established my first race, the Solstice Run in Northville In 2003. The idea of organizing a race event intrigued me. I started the Kona Running Co in 2004. The ‘Ville: Tell us about the Shamrock Race. What are some of the highlights? What makes it unique? Whitehead: It is our 8th year with the Shamrock Race in Plymouth. We offer a 10K, 5K, 1/2 Mile and Double (10K plus 5K). We have an Irish band (Celtic Jam) in our large heated tent at Kellogg Park. This year for the first time the race entry includes beer, pizza and finger foods inside the new Bigalora and Arbor Brewing Co restaurant and brewery (the former Box Bar building).
Participants of the Shamrock Race, which will be run March 17 in downtown Plymouth, dress the part.
The ‘Ville: What do you find people enjoy most about your events? Whitehead: I think it’s that we offer interesting race themes like the Chocolate Run & Wicked Halloween Run and our staff is very experienced resulting in very organized events. We also offer entertainment, post-race food and costume contests. Kona is offering nine race events in 2019 including a new Jolly Pumpkin Run in Traverse City and the new Founders Beer Run at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. The ‘Ville: Can you tell us any interesting tidbits about you? Whitehead: Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame and WWI hero Sgt. Alvin York are my relatives. My grandfather was born in Tennessee and my dad was born in Kentucky. For more information about the Kona Running Company and the upcoming Shamrock Race, visit konarunningcompany.com or shamrockrace.com. You can also email Whitehead at alan@ konarunningcompany.com.