From the Start: Running the Long Blue Line

From the start: Race organizer's goal was to do good

Bobby Crim, a Democrat from Davison, Mich., was state House Speaker in the spring of 1976 when he was invited to attend a Michigan Special Olympics track and field meet at Kearsley High School. What he saw that day inspired him to do something to help the mentally and physically handicapped athletes served by Special Olympics.  Listen to him speak about Special Olympics.

He spoke with Flint Journal reporter Bill Khan as the races celebrated its 30th anniversary. Read the story.

Over three decades, this is the man whose very name has come to mean running and fitness. Crim himself may not have had a hand in all of them, but he kindled and fanned the flames. Follow him on a pictorial tour through the years or read what he had to say in 2006 or 1998.

Early Vision
• Inspiring Special Olympians lead to year-round fitness goal
• Read what Bobby Crim has to say about the early days. and the changing organization
• Crim has look at the race that bears his name
• A key reason the Crim event was successful is Lois Craig, his administrative assistant.
• The Lois Craig and Bobby Crim connection

Growing the Vision
• Dreamers see more than a race
• Fitness new focus of Crim
• Uniting the community from "The Long Blue LIne"

More on Bobby Crim
• A Journal staff writer caught up with him in 1998 to look at his political career
• Through the years slideshow

At The Top
1977: Lois Craig
1994: Laurie McCann
1996: Anne Gault
1999: Sherlynn Everly
2005: Deb Kiertzner
2005: Gerry Myers