Feliz Dia de los Muertos

In Southwest Detroit, "Run Of The Dead" offers a race full of tradition.

By Claudia Lugo/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT, MI (Tell Us Det) - Saturday morning, Southwest Detroit was the host of their third annual race that has as a theme, “The Run of The Dead”, in commemoration of one of the most significant traditions in Mexican culture, "Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the dead).

The day was chilly but that did not discourage the more than 700 participants who decided to have a healthy experience along with a lot of fun. Painted faces, mariachi bands, hot chocolate, traditional Mexican bread, colorful flower headpieces, and lots of enthusiasm were the elements that framed this sanctioned 5K/10K race.



This is the second year that Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) host this race and the first year that both 5K and 10K races are certified by USA Track and Field Association. According to SDBA President Kathy Wendler,

“The certification reaffirms the distance for accuracy, allowing participants to compare their individual time to performance runs or other certified courses to see if they have accomplished a personal best. In doing so, we hope to encourage more individuals to join us for the Run of the Dead, which will provide increased visibility for the local community and businesses in southwest Detroit,” said Wendler.



The main attraction of this race is the loop through two of southwest Detroit’s most historic cemeteries: Holy Cross and Woodmere cemeteries. Competitors had the chance to pass through beautiful gravestones, headstones, mausoleums and other burial sites. Many of participants decided to stop and take pictures since the morning sun created portrait sceneries. Some first-time competitors in this race mentioned that they will certainly be back next year after having seen these places.

“The Run of the Dead” is growing in popularity and it is becoming one more reason for Detroiters and Southeast Michiganders to enjoy what “The D” has to offer.



About the Day of The Dead
The Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday that honors family and friends who are deceased. “Dia de Los Muertos is a day when the boundaries between the living and the dead becoming permeable, allowing the souls of the departed to travel back to visit families and loved ones,” explained Kathy Wendler, “Elaborate altars with special foods, flowers, candies and beautiful decorations are erected and visits to local cemeteries to honor loved ones are frequent during the celebration.”

Dia de los Muertos honors the dead with festivals and lively celebrations. Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. On Dia de los Muertos, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.

The most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos may be the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in candied sweets, as parade masks, as dolls. Calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often in fancy clothes and entertaining situations.
Source: National Geographic

About the Southwest Detroit Business Association
Founded in 1957, the Southwest Detroit Business Association fosters innovation, drive and commitment in our community. We support our community’s vision for a healthy, vibrant neighborhood. The SDBA works with local businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, customers and neighbors to develop a place where more and more people are choosing to live, work, shop and play – a place where you find Business Building Community and Community Building Business. For more information, visit www.southwestdetroit.com.