Time is running out to join thousands of other participants for the second running of Oakland County's premier road race, the Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5k.
Online registration for the race, which drew 4,000 runners for the inaugural event in 2008, is $50 and closes at midnight on Oct. 1. Procrastinators who miss the deadline can sign up to run at the Health & Wellness Expo on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 at the Shotwell-Gustafson Pavilion on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills. Registration at the Expo is $75. Online registration can be done at
www.thebrooksieway.com.
"Last year's race exceeded all of our expectations and this year's race is going to be even better," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "We have a scenic and challenging course that highlights some of the jewels of Oakland County and has already become a favorite with runners. Our first race was one of the largest first-time running events in Michigan history. Wait until they see us this year."
The Brooksie Way is named in honor of Brooks Stuart Patterson, a young father and son of the county executive, who died after a tragic snowmobile accident in 2007. Proceeds from the race support programs that promote healthy active lifestyles.
The 13.1-mile half marathon course begins at Oakland University and winds through Rochester Hills and Rochester, parts of the Clinton River Trail and Paint Creek Trail before finishing at Meadow Brook Hall. There is a 5k race and the Detroit Pistons Fun Run on the grounds of Oakland University. All races start at 8 a.m. You may walk or run any of the events.
Former Olympians Bill Rodgers and Brian Sell are among the elite runners expected to be on hand for the race. A teammate of Sell's, Patrick Rizzo, 25, of Schaumburg, Ill., won last year's race in a time of 1:08:19. Sell and two other members of the Hanson's distance running team finished the race about the same time.
The top female finisher was Ashley Anderson, of Denver, Colo., a former Rochester Hills resident and Central Michigan University distance runner, who was timed at 1:22:01.
New activities for the 2009 race include:
- A corporate CEO challenge featuring chief executive officers from many companies in the area who have pledged $1,000 to run in either the half marathon or the 5k. It was the brainchild of Charles "Chip" McClure, the CEO of ArvinMeritor, which has 40 runners signed up for the Brooksie Way.
- The Detroit Pistons One Mile Family Fun Run. The race is not timed but participants will receive a T-shirt.
- A free Family Activity Zone adjacent to Meadow Brook Hall that features a rock climbing wall and inflatable bounce houses. Food will also be available for purchase.
Hours for the Health & Wellness Expo are Friday, Oct, 2 from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A complete schedule of events can be found at
www.thebrooksieway.com.
The Brooksie Way is presented by Oakland County and the Crim Fitness Foundation and is sponsored by HealthPlus and Citizens Bank.
Check out our video from last year's Brooksie Way Half Marathon
here.
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