'Brooksie Way' Race to Celebrate Healthy Living Sunday

By BRENDAN KRISEL (Patch Staff)

Since 2008, Oakland County has been home to the Brooksie Way, a road race promoting healthy living and honoring Brooks Stuart Patterson, the late son of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

The race, taking place at the University of Oakland campus on Sunday, has grown over the past eight years, Director Deb Kiertzner told the Oakland Press. This year the Brooksie Way will feature a half-marathon, 5k and 10k races, a kids race and a two-day health and fitness expo.

“We continue to grow and think of ways to make it exciting,” said Kiertzner, who has directed the race since its first running and had previously organized the Crim Festival of Races in Flint.

There will also be a post-race celebration, featuring a DJ, live band and merchandise and food vendors.

Last year, participants from 20 states and four countries attended Brooksie Way, and 5,382 people finished the race, according to the 2014 Annual Report.

A large draw for the race is its beautiful course, which features parts of the Clinton River trail, the Paint Creek trail, Rochester Hills and downtown Rochester. In 2011 the Brooksie Way half-marathon course was named one of the ten most scenic in the United States.

The Brooksie Way also helps give back to the community.

Proceeds from the race weekend will go to awarding mini grants. All non-profit organizations in Oakland County offering health and fitness programs are eligible to apply.

“The Brooksie W​ay Minigrant program is proving to be extremely popular,” said L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County executive on the race’s official website. “It helps local communities by supplying programs that promote good health. Since its inception, it has returned to the community nearly $125,000 in grants. I’m delighted to make those awards in my son’s name.”

Registration will be offered at the Brooksie Way Health Fitness Expo at the Oakland University Rec Center on Friday and Saturday.