1,000 Runners Set to Participate in First Ever Heroes on Hines Half Marathon, 5K

Wayne County's First Responders Memorial is almost complete in Plymouth Township, with the names of 401 brave men and women carved into its granite wall. 

The community has shown overwhelming support for the memorial, with more than 1,000 people signed up to participate in the inaugural Wayne County Heroes on Hines Half Marathon and 5K, of which proceeds will go to support and maintain the First Responders Memorial in Hines Park, which is scheduled to be dedicated in a ceremony on Oct. 17.

“The memorial and the annual Heroes on Hines races will be tributes that honor the heroic men and women who lost their lives while serving as first responders in Wayne County,” Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said.. 

"It (the annual race) will ensure granite is maintained, the park is cleaned and for regular upkeep," Ficano said. "And we hope we never have to add another name, but if we do, the labor cost will be included in that as well."

The memorial includes monuments, seat walls, concrete walkways, a paver plaza, site furnishings, plantings as well parking and lighting. 

The Wayne County Department of Public Services Parks Division, in partnership with Running Fit, is producing the event. The Half Marathon begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. 

The course travels through Plymouth and Northville and the serene northwest end of Edward Hines Drive. Both the Half Marathon and 5K start and finish at the memorial site. As a security precaution, all bags and backpacks will be prohibited at the race start/finish area and along the race course.

Ficano will participate in the 5K himself, while his son will run the half marathon. The race has attracted a number of local first responders, police, fire and EMTs who will also participate, according to Ficano. 

Packet pick-up and in-person late registration will be available on Friday at Burroughs, Inc., located at 41100 Plymouth Road, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The registration fee for the Half Marathon is $70, while the 5K registration fee costs $40 on race weekend. Entry fees include a technical race shirt for all distances and finisher's medal for half marathon distance.

Race day parking will be available at Burroughs, Plymouth and Haggerty Roads. Pedestrians are asked to use the pedestrian walk. Haggerty Road will be closed on race day. 

To register or get more information on the races, go to www.heroesonhines.com. For information on events in Wayne County and Wayne County Parks, go to www.waynecounty.com .