Swansenreport

What Is the Crim Festival of Races?

The Crim Festival of Races is a long-standing annual road-running tradition in Flint, Michigan, first held in 1977 and known for its signature 10‑mile race, affectionately dubbed “The Crim” . Originally conceived by then‑State House Speaker Bobby Crim and his assistant Lois Craig to fundraise for the Special Olympics, it began as a one-off event but quickly grew into a celebrated festival .

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Evolution Into a Festival

Starting with just the 10‑mile race, the Crim expanded across the years:

 • Late 1980s: Added an 8K, the 5K Family Walk, and the Teddy Bear Trot.

 • 1992: Officially renamed to the Crim Festival of Races, with the addition of one‑mile events, competitive walks, and youth-focused races like the Crim Kids Classic (later, the Marti Austin Kids Classic) .

 • 2013 onward: Introduced the Michigan Mile (Friday night), the Half Crim (5‑mile), new race maps, and community-focused initiatives .

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Purpose & Impact

Beyond sport, the festival has a philanthropic and community-driven backbone:

 • Proceeds benefit Area 13 Special Olympics and other local charities like literacy groups and youth programs .

 • Organized by the Crim Fitness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting fitness across Genesee County .

 • Plays a bigger role in Flint’s wellness ecosystem, especially in the wake of the water crisis—offering programs in nutrition, mindfulness, and physical activity throughout the year .

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Event Format & Highlights

The Crim Festival spans a full weekend, usually the fourth weekend in August:

 • Friday kicks off with the Lois Craig Invitational for Special Olympics athletes and the Michigan Mile Series .

 • Saturday features multiple events:

 • The 10‑mile Crim, complete with challenging hills and a guiding blue line for runners .

 • The Half Crim (5‑mile).

 • A 5K run and family walk.

 • The Teddy Bear Trot, a fun, short run for children and families .

 • Since 2023–2025, there’s been a virtual Crim for remote participation and collectible medals leading up to a 50th‑anniversary keepsake .

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Tradition Meets Competition

 • The 10‑mile course draws runners globally—from Kenya, Russia, Ukraine, and beyond—and has hosted U.S. national 10‑mile championships .

 • Course records stand at 45:43 (men’s, Joseph Kamau, 1996) and 51:35 (women’s, Vicoty Chepngeno, 2019) .

 • Since 2025, significant prize money is offered for breaking these records and for top race finishers—including wheelchair and hand-cyclist categories—with purses up to $3,000 for top placements .

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Significance to Flint

The Crim Festival is deeply woven into Flint’s identity:

 • One of the city’s largest annual celebrations, drawing tens of thousands each year .

 • A powerful symbol of community resilience and unity—especially meaningful post-water crisis as a platform for rebuilding wellness and togetherness .

 • A multi-generational legacy: Lois Craig, instrumental in its creation and direction, passed away after leaving a profound imprint on the event and community .