2013 Woodward Dream Cruise: 1,200 participate in 'Cruise in Shoes' 5k on Woodward Avenue

Participants in the event, which attracted more than 1,200 people, ran on Woodward Avenue for about two miles. Money raised from the event goes to help all nine Dream Cruise communities pay their share of an estimated $600,000 to put on the annual car celebration, which is going on today.

ROYAL OAK, MI- Matt Fecht doesn’t consider himself a “huge car guy,” but on Saturday he found himself running on Woodward Avenue by classic Mustangs, Camaros and other little slices of Americana.

The 29-year-old Warren resident was the overall winner of the second annual “Cruise in Shoes” 5k run and walk fundraiser for the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise. 

“The nice thing is you get to take part in a great event like the Woodward Dream Cruise and get to run on Woodward during it, so that’s quite the experience,” said Fecht, who finished the 3.1-mile run in about 16 minutes. “I’m not a he car guy, but it’s good for the city and good for the state.”

Participants in the event, which attracted more than 1,200 people, ran on Woodward Avenue for about two miles. Money raised from the event goes to help all nine Dream Cruise communities pay their share of an estimated $600,000 to put on the annual car celebration, which is going on today.

Dream Cruise operating board president Greg Rassel said last year’s inaugural “Cruise in Shoes” attracted about 700-800 people and raised about $16,000.

“It’s fantastic,” Rassell said about the event. “We far exceeded (our expectations).”

Danielle Miller, who was the first female to finish the race, said it was truly a one-of-a-kind experience to run on Woodward Avenue.

Matt Fecht, 29, of Warren, crosses the finish line to become the winner of the second annual “Cruise in Shoes” 5k run and walk fundraiser for the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise. Michael Wayland | MLive.com

“I don’t think there’s anything more awesome than running a 5k in a historic cruise,” said the 21-year-old Clinton Township native, who runs for Northwood University. “It’s just great to go out there and see all the classic cars, and them honking their horns at you as you are running by.”

Miller, who will be a senior this year, finished in about 18 minutes 30 seconds.

Last year’s “Cruise in Shoes” winner, William Yau, was back again this year and finished second overall. Yau, who finished the race in about 17 minutes, said an injury hindered him from really attempting to beat his 15-minute 59-second time from last year, but it was still a great race.

“It’s a lot different running in the middle of the road, but it’s really cool,” he said. “You get to see a lot of cool cars out.”

The Woodward Dream Cruise, which takes place each third Saturday in August, is the world’s largest one-day classic car event. More than one million visitors and 40,000 antique and classic cars from all over the country are expected for the event, which stretches 16 miles from 8 Mile Road at the border of Ferndale and Detroit to downtown Pontiac.