Thousands of runners and walkers will be gearing up to participate in the 10th running of the McLaren Brooksie Way this Sunday morning at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre on the grounds of Oakland University!
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, 40 sponsors and at least 115 legacy runners and walkers who have participated in each of the first nine McLaren Brooksie Way races were honored during a Gala Sponsor’s Reception yesterday evening. The 10-year athletes received express pickup of their race packets and a special race shirt noting their achievement.
Take a look at the Brooksie Way 10th Anniversary video to view some favorite race memories through the years and hear commentary from Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Brooksie Way Board Members: 1983 Boston Marathon Winner Greg Meyer and Olympic Running Champion Bill Rodgers.
The Brooksie Way is a family friendly event and offers fun race options for your little ones. They can get the same race experience as Mom and Dad when you sign them up for the Diaper Dash, Toddler Trot, or Big Kids Race, all taking place on Saturday, September 23rd at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre.
Race proceeds support programs that encourage a healthy, fit and active lifestyle and are distributed through Brooksie Way Minigrants. Since 2010, the McLaren Brooksie Way has been able to donate thousands of dollars to Oakland County non-profit organizations.
This year’s Brooksie Way half marathon, 10k, and 5k will take place this Sunday, September 24th and is set to begin at 8 am. Runners and walkers can pick up their race packets at the Brooksie Way Fitness Expo on Friday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 23rd at the Oakland University Recreation and Well-Being Center. At the Expo, participants will find fitness information, products from sports and nutrition retailers, and more.
There’s still time to register for this Quality of Life event!
Registration will be available for all races at the Brooksie Way Fitness Expo this Friday, 3 pm – 8 pm and Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm at the Oakland University Recreation and Well-Being Center. Registrations will also be available on race morning beginning at 6:30 am in the Post Race Tent.
The first annual race was held in October 2008 and was named in honor of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s son, Brooks Stuart Patterson. Brooksie, as he was known to his family and friends, died in 2007 after a tragic snowmobile accident. Brooksie’s lasting legacy is the exuberance with which he lived his life, the passion he had for family and friends and his dreams for the future. That’s why the race was named in his memory, “The Brooksie Way.”
For more about the McLaren Brooksie Way, visit their website. Follow along with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #BrooksieWay.
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