Community Corner

Register By Midnight Tonight for Sunday's Brooksie Way

Here's what you need to know about race day in Rochester and Rochester Hills.

If you want to participate in the fifth-annual Brooksie Way, know this: online registration for the half-marathon and 5K ends at midnight tonight.

"We’re expecting this to be our best race yet," said Brooksie Race Director Deb Kiertzner. "We’re expecting a record number of runners, the post-race party is bigger than ever and we have U.S. Olympic marathoner Desiree Davila in the field.

"If you’re on the fence as to whether to register or not, the clock is ticking."

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The races begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at Meadow Brook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University. 

Register at www.theBrooksieWay.com

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Brooksie Way is named in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who died in 2007. Patterson has often told the story of his son's funeral and a family member declaring that if you want to live life to its fullest, "live it the Brooksie Way."

Patterson is recovering from injuries he received in an Aug. 10 car crash and is not expected to be at Sunday's race; in the past he has walked in the 5K.

Proceeds from the race support The Brooksie Way Minigrant program for health and wellness efforts across the county.

Here's what else you should know about the race:

  • Olympian Desiree Davila is expected to speak at the Expo and be a part of the race.
  • The Brooksie Way's 30,000th racer is expected to cross the finish line.
  • A "Flash Wave" has been organized by Abiding Presence Lutheran Church. Members will cheer on runners at the corner of Old Perch and Walton.
  • In addition to the parking field at Adams and Walton, a new lot will accommodate Brooksie Way participants this year. It will be located off Meadow Brook Drive on campus and can be accessed from the west.
  • The Brooksie Way Fitness Expo is Friday and Saturday at the OU Rec Center and includes a family-friendly all-you-can-eat pasta party from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the Expo, which is open to the public.

For more about the race, see our special section on Rochester Patch.


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