PONTIAC — A program that teaches individuals living with Down Syndrome how to ride a conventional bike, an elementary school’s recess run club, and a family fitness event in Pontiac are among nine recipients of the latest round of The HealthPlus Brooksie Way Mini-grants. The mini-grants, totaling more than $10,000, were awarded Saturday at the 2014 kick-off of The HealthPlus Brooksie Way at Oakland University’s Rec Center.
Race organizers and sponsors also unveiled the logo for the seventh HealthPlus Brooksie Way, which takes place Sept. 28.
“The private proceeds from The HealthPlus Brooksie Way go toward improving the quality of life in our communities,” Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “We award mini-grants to Oakland County organizations whose goal is to help their members live healthier and more active lifestyles.”
The following organizations received The HealthPlus Brooksie Way mini-grants:
- Baldwin Center, Pontiac, Youth basketball clinic and league
- Brooklands Elementary School, Rochester Hills, Recess run club
- Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, Troy, Oakland yard athletics activity
- Crossroads for Youth, Waterford, “Making Waves” swim program
- Down Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan, Royal Oak, iCan Bike
- Friends of the Pontiac Parks Association, Pontiac, Hustle in the Park – a family fun fitness event
- Leadership Oakland Class Project, Troy, Kids adventure day at the parks
- Oakland University Track & Field, Rochester Hills, Oakland Track & Field Facility support
- Waterford Mott Cross Country, Waterford, Waterford Elementary running program
The HealthPlus Brooksie Way, now in its seventh year, is named in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, a young father and the son of the county executive, who died in 2007. It has become one of the most popular regional fall half marathons. The 2013 race attracted 6,100 runners and walkers, including participants from 17 states and five countries. The course begins and ends at the Meadow Brook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University and includes parts of the Clinton River and Paint Creek trails, Rochester Hills and downtown Rochester.
Runners and walkers who have participated in past HealthPlus Brooksie Way races will note a course modification, which now takes them on Dutton Road. The change was made necessary because Tienken Road is not available because of ongoing construction.
Half marathon runners and walkers who register early online at TheBrooksieWay.com will pay less for registration than those who register on the eve of the Sept. 28 race. Entrants for the 10K and 5K races will also realize significant savings by registering early. Participants can also register online for the popular Team Challenge — which sold out last year — and celebrate after the race in the exclusive Team Challenge tent.
New this year the HealthPlus Brooksie Way is partnering with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Marathon in Midland. Entrants can save $10 off the current race registration for both races using a coupon code that will be announced next week.
The popular Kid’s Race — sponsored by Fifth Third bank — is set for Sept. 27, the day before the bigger races. Kroger, the official half marathon sponsor, will soon offer race applications in all Michigan stores.
“Each year The HealthPlus Brooksie Way gets more robust,” Patterson said. “Last year we had 6,100 participants. Our race registrations are already ahead of where we were last year at this time.”
