Wayne County Hosts Inaugural 'Heroes on Hines' Run

Submitted by Kevin Byrnes

PLYMOUTH TWP. — Wayne County hosted its inaugural "Heroes on Hines" half marathon and 5K run on Saturday. The event honors police, fire and EMS personnel who have lost their lives while on duty in Wayne County.

The county, in partnership with Running Fit, produced the event.

“The memorial and the annual 'Heroes on Hines' races are powerful remembrances to the brave men and women who lost their lives while serving as first responders in a Wayne County community,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

Participants received a technical race shirt for all distances and finisher's medal for half marathon distance.

Marathoner and decorated world record holder Doug Kurtis, 61, of Livonia ran in the marathon in preparation for his final marathon Oct. 19 in Detroit. The Heroes on Hines course traveled through the western Wayne communities of Plymouth and Northville and the serene northwest end of Hines Drive.

Both the half marathon and 5K started and finished at the newly constructed memorial site. Proceeds from the annual race support the First Responders Memorial in Hines Park, which is scheduled to be dedicated in a ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.

The memorial will initially display the names of 401 police, fire and EMS personnel from Wayne County communities who died in the line of duty. The memorial includes monuments, seat walls, concrete walkways, a paver plaza, site furnishings and plantings, as well parking and lighting.

Sponsors for Heroes on Hines included: Lou LaRiche Chevrolet, Skyway Precision, Argent International, Durr, Hines Park Lincoln, Burroughs, Red Bull, The Observer & Eccentric and Friends of Wayne County Parks.