Congratulations!

Congratulations mentor teams, you did it! We are so proud of everyone for completing their goal and crossing the finish line. It was a great weekend making new friends and memories.

On Saturday, October 18 mentor teams from across the state made the trip to Detroit. Our day started with a tour of the Renaissance Center including a glass elevator ride to the top with amazing views. After eating lunch and checking into our rooms at the Marriott, we headed to Comerica Park. Guides led our group on the exclusive behind-the-scenes tour where we were able to visit the press box, locker room and dugout. Then, we stopped at the Marathon Health and Fitness Expo where we picked up race numbers. The day ended with a pasta dinner at the Detroit Athletic Club where we had special guest speakers Curt Munson, owner of Playmakers of Okemos, Patricia Ball, Marathon Race Director, and former State Senator and current Michigan Fitness Foundation Board member Dale Shugars.

Sunday morning started early, with all teams walking to the start line at 6:45 a.m. dressed in their navy and white uniforms. Our mentor teams joined more than 2,000 other runners at the start line for the 5K and were included in the total of more than 18,000 runners in all Marathon events. Everyone finished and did a great job! After the race we had a celebratory breakfast at the Compuware building. The Marathon Web site lists mentor race result times and mentee times categorized by age. On Monday, the Free Press mentioned our group in their Marathon re-cap.

We hope you keep your momentum going by setting new physical activity goals together. Search for running events across Michigan endorsed by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness. Also, check out the following youth running resources:

http://www.kidsrunning.com/index.html

http://www.runningrocks.com/

http://www.justrun.org/

http://www.girlsontherun.org/default.html

http://www.youthrunner.com/home/

Thank you to all of the mentors for your commitment to your mentees and to Get Michigan Moving! Lastly, a special thanks to our sponsors that make this program possible including Accident Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Consumers Energy, Dean Trailways of Michigan, Delta Dental, Detroit Lions, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Playmakers of Okemos, and WK Kellogg Foundation.

The Countdown Begins!

Our 5K race is less than one week away! Nearly 18,000 runners will be in Detroit this weekend to participate in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and relays. Forty two mentors and mentees from across the state will come together for the weekend festivities and to put their summer training to the test. Check out the 5K route you will run on Sunday. Hundreds of people will gather to cheer you on and live entertainment will keep you moving. Don’t forget your tips about eating and drinking before, during and after the race. We will see you in the D on Saturday!

Governor’s Residence Day

On Tuesday, August 19 many of our mentor teams traveled to Lansing for a special event. The day started with a visit to the home of Michigan State Basketball, the Breslin Student Events Center. Our tour guides showed us the practice gyms, trophy showcases, the main arena (including the freshly polished basketball floor), and also the Coaches’ Offices. Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Dwayne Stephens spoke to our group in the official team film-review room. Assistant Coach Stephens praised our mentees for committing to physical activity despite all of the current technologies that can often distract youth from being active. After eating lunch, we headed to the Capitol. Our group saw the House and Senate floors and even Governor Granholm’s ceremonial office. We ended our trip with a wonderful reception at the Governor’s Residence. Program sponsors, legislators and other dignitaries including the First Gentleman Dan Mulhern, Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health Janet Olszewski, and Executive Director of the Michigan Community Service Commission Musette Michael. Each team was fitted for running shoes by staff from Playmakers, and also received one piece of the 2008 team uniform.