Flint, MI- The 48th HAP CareSource Crim Festival of Races is set to welcome more than 30 elite athletes in its return to an Open Class Elite 10 Mile field.
While “The Crim” was host to the USATF Masters Championship in 2024, 2025 marks the first year since 2015 that the event has had an open elite field. The Crim Festival of Races, one of Michigan’s largest endurance events, welcomes more than 11,000 runners on August 22 and 23, with more than 6,000 in the 10 mile event alone.
Registered elite athletes were required to meet qualifying standards and submit proof of performance at 10 miles or a similar distance. Elite athletes are still able to sign up at crimraces.org or can learn more at https://crim.org/races/hap-crim-festival-of-races/elite/.
The following athletes are registered, with another 12-15 expected on race day. Athletes will compete for a $15,000 prize purse, with $3,000 going to the top male and female athletes.
Women
Amber Dermyre, MI
Katie Swor, MI
Morgan Coulter, MI
Atsede Tesema, CO
Julia Pleskaczynska, MI
Jane Bareikis, IL
Becca Richtman, IN
Men
Dominic Korir, HI
Felex Cheruiyot Rop, KENYA
Vincent Boit, KENYA/GBR
Bekele Reta Jima, NY
Eric Westog, IN
Ben Hardy, MI
Lawrence Kipkoech, CO
Cameron Villarreal, IN
Edward Frey, MI
Andrew Bowman, MI
Michael Jordan, WA
Charles Rodeheffer, MI
Jorden Sowash, MI
Zacchaeus Widner, MI
Drew Kolodge, MI
Micah Meindertsma, MI
Rogers Rop, KENYA
John Burchfield, OH
Mitchell Lenneman, MI
Arturs Bareikis, IL
Thomas Mueller, MI
Director of External Relations, Brandon Morgan, said “We couldn’t be more excited to host top-level talent here in Flint. Many of these athletes have placed highly and run amazing times in high-profile events around the world and I know our community will come out to see what they are capable of. The Crim is well known for its ability to draw great runners domestically and internationally to our scenic and challenging course and we know we will see some great performances on August 23.
The HAP Crim Festival of Races supports the work of the Crim Fitness Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, whose goal is to improve the health and wellness of the residents of Flint and Genesee County, MI. The organization impacts approximately 20,000 individuals each year through programs including: Crim Youth Sports and Youth Running Clubs; mental wellbeing, mindfulness and yoga; direct nutrition education and food policy; neighborhood impact, policy advocacy, and built environmental change; and more.
For more information on the Foundation and the Festival please visit crim.org and crimraces.org, respectively.
CRIM FITNESS FOUNDATION
The Crim works to cultivate accessible, vibrant communities in Flint and Genesee County that encourage people to lead a healthy lifestyle by integrating physical activity, healthy eating, and mindfulness into their daily lives. We mentor other communities to do the same. The Crim uses events, programs, policy, systems, and environmental change to transform the culture of health in the communities we serve.