The Crim Festival of Races, an August tradition in Flint, will look significantly different this year. Instead of thousands of runners, walkers, and spectators lining the streets of Flint, the races have moved to a virtual format after the 44th annual race was canceled due to COVID-19.
The virtual Crim won’t replace the annual event -- instead, the 44th Crim will be held August 27-28, 2021. But that doesn’t mean this year’s HAP Virtual Crim won’t still be a unique event.
The Crim announced last week that they’ve added a new challenge this year called ‘The Bobby’ -- in honor of race founder Bobby Crim. Racers can register to complete the 10-mile, 5-mile, 5K, and Michigan Mile distances over the course of 10 days from August 14-23. Those who do will receive a special prize, too -- an autographed picture of race founder Bobby Crim.
Crim, a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and Speaker of the House, founded the race series in 1977. A statue of him was dedicated in downtown Flint 2014, near the starting line of the Crim.
While racers have been able to register for more than one Crim event in the past, the overlapping times of some of the races would’ve made it impossible to do all of the races at once under normal circumstances.
Racers can register for this year’s virtual events online. Proceeds will benefit the Crim Fitness Foundation’s work in community education, sports, nutrition, advocacy, and mindfulness.
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