Brooks to Middle Schoolers: 'Want to Get Into Shape?'

In an effort to combat obesity and encourage student participation in the Brooksie Way 5k race, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson personally challenged a Hart Middle School seventh-grade gym class to participate in the Brooksie Way 5k Middle School Challenge during an assembly at the school Tuesday afternoon.

"It's a subtle way for us to fight childhood obesity, which has now become a national epidemic," Patterson said in an interview with Patch before the assembly. "We get them into a 5k walk or run, that's 3.2 miles; that's some good exercise for them."

Patterson said he hopes to get at least 300 middle school students to sign up for the Oct. 2 5k run/walk, which honors his son, Brooks Stuart Patterson, who died in a snowmobile accident in 2007.

"After the funeral, my son in law gave the eulogy ... and said, 'If you're going to live life, you've got to live it to the fullest – you've got to live it the Brooksie way.'"

The first 300 middle school students to register will receive free race registration, a training shirt and training support leading up to the race. The Brooksie Way 5k Middle School Challenge builds on the Count Your Steps Pedometer Walking Program, which also serves to combat obesity in children.

Proceeds from the Brooksie Way Half Marathon, 5K race and One Mile Fun Run support local programs that promote healthy, active lifestyles through Brooksie Way MiniGrants. For more information, visit TheBrooksieWay.com.