Brooksie Way is 5 Weeks Away: Here are 5 Things to Know

The fourth annual is Sunday, Oct. 2 along the streets and trails of Rochester and Rochester Hills. There is plenty of time to register—and get your run body in shape.

Here are five things to know now.

1. The race route is among the most scenic in America. Active.com, the website that handles race and sports team registrations, named the Brooksie Way one of the 11 Most Scenic Fall Half Marathons. Others included in the list: coastal races in Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks, a "Diva" race at Vail and one through Sonoma wine country in California.

2. There's a practice run planned. It's free and it starts at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 on the grass lot on the corner of Walton and Adams roads. It follows the course of both the 5K and the half-marathon and there will be water stops set up along the way.

3. It takes a crew of hundreds. Race organizers are looking for volunteers to help with registration, traffic control and to work the start and finish lines. They are also looking for people to work at water stations and cheer stations placed throughout the course. No experience is necessary; sign up here.

4. Plans are in place to help with traffic. You know the drill — it's tough to drive across town on Brooksie Way day. To help with the anticipated traffic challenges, race organizers have implemented a “rolling closure” plan that will allow roads on the course to remain open longer rather than closing the entire course at once. There's a detailed traffic plan in place, and it includes suggested detour routes, on the race website.

5. More than anything, the race needs runners. You can sign up at thebrooksieway.com (we're also giving away two free entries here.)