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Jenny Crain set to circle the Milwaukee Mile

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on July 14, 2011

running

Jenny Crain won’t produce the fastest mile on Saturday, but the most significant.

Continuing to recover from nearly fatal injuries, the one-time elite runner will participate in the Milwaukee “Make it Happen” Mile Run on the track at State Fair Park Saturday. Crain has managed to walk a bit beyond a half-mile during her rehabilitation, and will rely on the support and encouragement of friends to set a new standard in an event created to help raise money for her future therapy.

Among those cheering Crain will be a couple of rivals from her high school days. Suzy Favor Hamilton and Suzie Neas are expected to join the group.

Tom Labisch, from the InStep Running and Walking Centers, put together the mile run and booked the oval to give athletes a unique experience racing in front of the grandstand.

Crain is expected to start about 6 p.m., according to her mother, Donna.

“I'm thrilled for Jenny that she has been gifted with wonderful people who have continued to remember and support her in so many ways,” Donna Crain said. “Whether it's Kris Hinrichs or more recently Robin Gohsman and Briana Boehmer and the amazing skills of Tom Labisch, the list continues to grow, including Courtny Gerrish.

Jenny Crain built a running career from the success she had at Franklin High School and Ohio University.

In the summer of 2007, she was training for the upcoming Olympic marathon trials when a car struck her on Farwell Ave. Crain suffered multiple broken bones and head injuries. With severe brain trauma, she remained unresponsive for more than a month.

Her appearance on the track in West Allis comes almost exactly one year from her return to the race scene she loved. Instead of being pushed in a stroller, however, she will be propelling herself.

Registration for the inaugural race will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Heats for the kids grades one to five start at 4:20 p.m. The elite women take the track at 6:40 p.m. and the elite men at 7 p.m.

A fun walk/run is set to start at 7:15.

Jenny Crain rolls in the 2010 Cudahy Classic.