1982 Michigan Mile
Jackson, Michigan
Date: June 13, 1982 It's a festival of feet on the street
Distance: 1 Mile
Course: Downtown Jackson, along Michigan Ave., finish at Brown Street. Before the Rose Festival Parade
Director: n/a
Men's Results
1. Eric Hendrickson Ypsilanti 4:09.4
2. Mike Wood Jackson 4:17
3. Brian Olsen Jackson 4:18
4. Bill Lundberg Hillsdale 4:22
5. John Cross Jackson 4:22 High School
6. Mike McGlynn Jackson 4:35
7. David Swarts Jackson 4:38 High School
8. Scott Parks Ypsilanti 4:42 High School
9. Don Fiero Jackson 4:44
Women's Results
1. Stephanie Pryer Jackson 5:27 High School
2. Renee Stover Jackson High School
3. Mary Lou Huscio Jackson High School
4. Nellie Sampson Jackson
By CHIP MUNDY
Citizen Patriot Staff Writer
A week ago, when Grand Prix auto racers roared through the streets of Detroit, it was a change of pace for fans who were used to watching, "Cars speed around an oval track like the one at Michigan International Speedway."
Jackson had its own Grand Prix of sorts Sunday afternoon, but instead of cars, it was runners who had the change of pace, charging directly west on Michigan Avenue past 70,000 people, instead of, around a quarter-mile oval track, in the first Mid-Michigan Mile race held before the Rose Festival parade.
"I've never experienced anything like that before, but I enjoyed it," said Eric Hendrickson, an Eastern Michigan University, student who won the race. "It was pretty unique. I kept looking at the finish line but couldn't tell how far away it really was."
Hendrickson, 21, is the Mid-American Conference champion, in the 1,500 meters (3:46.78) and, was runner-up in that collegiate conference's 800 meters (1:48.7). He was Class A mile and two-mile champion while attending Portage Northern High School in 1978 and held the mile record (4:09.9) in the Midwest Meet of Champions until it was broken Saturday.
Hendrickson's time in the mile Sunday was 4:09. He ran with the wind in his face most of the way, although the course was slightly downhill the last half -mile.
A pair of former Jackson area high school running stars who attend Oklahoma State University finished second and third. Mike Wood, a graduate of Lumen Christi, was runner-up in 4:17 while Brian Olsen, a graduate of Jackson High, was third in 4:18.
Stephanie Pryer, 15, won the women's portion of the Mid Michigan Mile. The sophomore at Jackson High School had a sensational weekend, finished third among all females and first in her age group Saturday in the 6.2-mile Rose Run.
Pryer, who admitted being a little sore after two tough races in as many days, finished the mile in 5:27. Renee Stover and Mary Lou Huscio, both of whom will attend Jackson High this fall, were second and third, respectively.