Last call for 2011 Brooksie Way discount registration

The clock is winding down for runners who want to take part in one of the Midwest's largest half marathons, the Brooksie Way Half Marathon, and still save as much as $15 on race registration. The deadline to receive the break on registration is Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 11:59 p.m. At midnight, the price jumps from $60 to $75 for the half marathon and from $30 to $40 for the 5k. Online registration at www.thebrooksieway.com ends at midnight on Sept. 28. After that, all registrations must be done in person at the Brooksie Way Fitness Expo at the Oakland University Recreation Center. The expo runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. The race is set for Sunday, Oct. 2. "We expect 5,000 runners and walkers to participate in The Brooksie Way races," said Deb Kiertzner, the race director. "We've seen the races grow in popularity among both the serious and casual runners and walkers because we offer something for them and for families who want to participate in a family event together." The Brooksie Way offers a half marathon, a 5k and a One-Mile Fun Run. All races begin and end on the campus of Oakland University. The 13.1 mile half marathon course winds through Rochester Hills and Rochester and includes parts of the Paint Creek Trail and Clinton River Trail. The start/finish line has moved to a new location adjacent to the Meadow Brook Music Festival. The post race festival will take place in the same area. The 5k (3.1 miles) course is mostly contained on the OU campus. New to the race this year is Xact Finisher Messaging, a state-of-the-art timing feature that allows every participant to order electronic messages announcing their finishing times on Facebook, Twitter, email or phone text. The service is free. The race is also offering free shuttle service to the start line from the OU parking lot at the corner of Squirrel and Walton roads. Service runs from 6 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. and resumes after the race. There is additional parking at the corner of Adams and Walton but there is no shuttle service from that lot. The Brooksie Way Fitness Expo: registration and packet pickup is set for Friday, Sept. 30, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Expo is in the OU Recreation Center. Booth spaces are still available for businesses or organizations interested in exhibiting. Contact Pam at 248-858-8964 for additional information. Greg Meyer and Lisa Rainsberger the last American male and female to win the Boston Marathon, are expected to participate in one of the races. They will also appear at the Expo. A pre-race all-you-can-eat pasta party is set for Saturday, Oct. 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Recreation Center. It is being catered by Italia Gardens. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. They are available at the Expo, Runnin' Gear stores in Waterford and Rochester Hills and Italia Gardens in Flint and Oxford. All participants in the half marathon receive a long-sleeved technical running shirt from Brooks Apparel and those who finish will receive a beautiful medal made especially for the race. There are expanded post-race festivities, including food, entertainment and children's activities. The race is named in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, a young father and the son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. "Brooksie," as he was known to his family and friends, died after a snowmobile accident in 2007. The presenting sponsor for the Brooksie Way is HealthPlus of Michigan. Proceeds from the race support the Brooksie Way Minigrant program, which has touched thousands of lives through the distribution of more than $50,000 in grants to Oakland County programs that support healthy and active lifestyles. The Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5k is a joint venture of Oakland County and the Crim Fitness Foundation. Published: Mon, Sep 26, 2011