On weekend mornings Jennifer Brothers typically makes time for a long run.
However, last Sunday morning the 2007 Goodrich High School graduate and current Michigan State University sophomore ran with a little more purpose in the first annual Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K race in Rochester Hills.
‘I run a lot, but not a lot of races,? said Brothers, a past member of the Goodrich cross country team, who completed the Brooksie in 1:41:29, good for first place in the 15- to 19-years-old women’s division. ‘I was out there for all those on Lake Shinangaug and in support of those impacted by Brooks? accident.?
Last Sunday’s Brooksie Way races are in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, the 28-year-old son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. Known to friends and family as Brooksie, he died in 2007 after a tragic snowmobile accident in Atlas Township.
More than 4,000 participated in the inaugural race through Rochester and Rochester Hills that included stretches of both the Clinton River Trail and the Paint Creek Trail. The 13.1 mile course crossed the bridge to Meadow Brook Hall where it ended.
‘I felt really good all through the race’actually I could have kept going,? said Brothers. ‘The first six miles were really flat’after that it was all uphill.?
Brothers, who covers about 40 miles each week in practice, is a member of the MSU Running Club. Brothers has been running a little more than her teammates since most club members are training for a 5K.
‘I’ll be at the Brookise next year and hope to improve my time. This was only the second half-marathon I’ve ever run. I’d like to try a full marathon in the near future,? she said. ‘Still, the Brooksie was a great race, and other than the hills the race had very nice scenery.?