Brooksie Way registration begins

Runners who register for the 2011 Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5k before April 1 can save themselves as much as $35 off their entry fees for the fourth running of Oakland County’s premier road race.

The early bird special is offered for those runners who register online by April 1 for the Brooksie Way, set for Oct. 2 in Rochester Hills, at www.thebrooksieway.com. Online processing fees are waived for those who register by May 1.

"We work very hard to put on a first-class race and we believe this year's event will be the best one yet," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "Each year the number of racers has increased. You have the chance to run or walk with elite runners or just with your friends and family. We appreciated the way the community has embraced the Brooksie Way. This really is a special event."

The Brooksie Way is named in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, a young father and son of the county executive, who died in 2007.

New this year is an expanded post-race party. All half marathon entrants receive an apple red long-sleeve Brooks technical shirt and finishers receive a medal designed especially for the 2011 race. Half marathon registration is $45 before April 1. A complete list of registration prices and deadlines can be found at www.thebrooksieway.com.

The Brooksie Way also offers a 16-week training program to prepare runners and walkers of all fitness levels to participate in either the half marathon or the 5k race. New this year participants can register with a friend and take advantage of a buddy discount. Individuals who register for the training program by April 15 get a $15 break off the $190 cost while two “buddies” can register for $330. The program, which is modeled after the Crim Fitness Foundation Training Program, begins June 9 and includes a technical racing shirt and entry into the Brooksie Way, the Crim Festival of Races and a third local race. A downloadable training program application can be found on the Brooksie Way website by March 1.

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 a One Mile Fun Run on the grounds of Oakland University. You may walk or run any of the events. A half marathon competitive walk is among the races.

Greg Meyer and Lisa Rainsberger, the last American male and female winners of the Boston Marathon, are schedule to run the half marathon. The complete list of elite runners will be announced in May.

Other activities include:

• A Corporate Tam Challenge featuring chief executive officers who have pledged $1,000 to -run in either the half marathon or the 5k. There is also a team challenge for five-person teams who compete against other teams for special awards.

• A Middle-School Challenge, sponsored by AT&T, to encourage the participation of middle-school aged runners.

• A One-Mile Family Fun Run. The race is not timed but participants will receive a T-shirt.

• A post-race celebration that features a rock climbing wall and inflatable bounce houses. Food will also be available for purchase.

The Brooksie Way is presented by Oakland County and the Crim Fitness Foundation and is sponsored by HealthPlus. Proceeds from the race support programs that promote healthy active lifestyles through the Brooksie Way Minigrant program. The minigrant program has distributed more than $50,000 to various Oakland County charities.

Register at www.thebrooksieway.com