Get Off the Couch: Brooksie Way Training Starts This Week

If you want to run the  in Rochester on Sept. 30, there's a program that will help get you ready – and one of them will be in Southfield – more convenient for Berkley and Huntington Woods residents.

The popular Brooksie Way Training Program starts Thursday in Rochester with the kickoff of the Couch-to-5K Jump Start Program. This program prepares people to run or walk a 5K (3.1 mile) race in six weeks. It's also a stepping stone to the 16-week half-marathon training program that begins June 7.

This first program meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at the RARA building in downtown Rochester. To register, go to www.rararegistration.org (choose adult programs/fitness). The cost is $60.

This is the fifth year for the half-marathon that is named in honor of Brooks Stuart Patterson, the 28-year-old son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson who died in 2007.

Sue Barnes runs the training program and said there are spots still available for this first training session. For more information, contact Barnes at 248-860-5589 or barness@thebrooksieway.com.

Here are the details on all three training programs sponsored by the Brooksie Way.

Never run?

• The program: Couch-to-5K Jump Start Program
• Cost: $60
• What you'll do: It's an exercise program that will provide participants with support and teach them run/walk/run or walk/shuffle/walk intervals. The registration fee includes entry into a 5K in Rochester in June.
• Dates: April 12-May 24
• To register: Go to www.rararegistration.org (choose adult programs/fitness).

Want to race?

• The program: 5K Training Program
• Cost: $165 through April 15; $175 between April 16-June 1; $180 after June 2. Fee includes entry into the Brooksie Way event as well as several other benefits.
• What you'll do: It's a walking or running program for those just starting an exercise program. Participants workout in a group. It meets in Rochester on Thursday nights and Southfield (at Catalpa Oaks County Park) on Tuesday nights.
• Dates: June 7-Sept. 30
• To register: Visit www.TheBrooksieWay.com.

Want to run the distance?

• The program: Half-Marathon Training Program
• Cost: $165 through April 15; $175 between April 16-June 1; $180 after June 2. Fee includes entry into the Brooksie Way event as well as several other benefits.
• What you'll do: This program will help you run or walk the full 13.1 miles. It meets on Thursday nights in Rochester and in Southfield (at Catalpa Oaks County Park) on Tuesday nights.
• Dates: June 7-Sept. 30
• To register: Visit www.TheBrooksieWay.com.

The 16-week training program starts with a mandatory placement expo at 6:30 p.m. May 24 at the Auburn Hills Community Center.