Vendors can now register for booth space at the 2012 Brooksie Way Fitness Expo.
The Fitness Expo, which runs Sept. 28-29 at the Rec Center on the Oakland University campus, gives businesses and non-profit organizations exposure to up to 10,000 runners, walkers and visitors. The Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5k race presented by HealthPlus is Sept. 30.
A series of educational sessions are scheduled for the expo. Greg Meyer, the last American male to win the Boston Marathon, is scheduled to be a guest at the expo. Hours are Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. An all-you-can-eat pasta party is inside the expo on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for the pasta party are available at the expo.
The Brooksie Way needs to fill more than 500 volunteer positions for this year’s race. Volunteers are needed at the start/finish line, at the Fitness Expo, on the course manning a water station and a host of other duties. Individuals and groups are encouraged to register online. A complete list of volunteer opportunities as well as race registration and expo registration can be done at www.TheBrooksieWay.com.
The Brooksie Way, celebrating its fifth year, is named in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, a young father and the son County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who died in 2007. Proceeds from the race support The Brooksie Way Minigrant program.
The 13.1-mile half marathon course begins and ends at the Meadow Brook Music Festival on the OU campus. It winds through Rochester and Rochester Hills, parts of the Paint Creek Trail and the Clinton River Trail before returning to the campus. The 5k race is contained on the OU campus as is the One Mile Fun Run. You may walk or run any of the events. A half marathon competitive walk is among the races. There will be entertainment every mile on each course.
All half marathon entrants receive a neon long-sleeve Brooks technical shirt and finishers also receive a sun-catcher medal designed to commemorate the fifth year of the race. Participants in the 5k receive a t-shirt and—new this year—those who finish receive a special medal.
