Big thanks to our fitness ambassadors for sharing their stories with us this year. Below are some news articles featuring their stories and others featuring locals who participated in the Bridge Run.

If you have an article or link that you saw in your community please share it through a comment and will add it to the list!

• A video of the run taken byMike Markes via his camera helmet.
• Locals mentioned at Alpenanow.com
• Traverse City Record Eagle
• The Grand Traverse Herald
• The Flint Journal
• The Grand Haven Tribune
• Freep.com
• The Muskegon Chronicle
• M-Live: Bay City News
• The Upper Michigan Source
• WowPilates mentions Flint Fitness Ambassador
• The Daily Press mentions Gladstone Fitness Ambassador
• M-Live: The Saginaw News
• TopFitness mentions Flint Fitness Ambassador

Governor Jennifer Granholm and her husband First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern

Greetings fellow runners and health leaders! I’m pleased to be contributing to the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run blog again this year. This is a great way for all of you to stay informed about event details and connect with other runners.

Each year, Dan and I are always so impressed with the time and effort put into this event, and each small detail helps to create a memorable experience for every runner. As you may have heard, this year I decided to walk the Bridge with my aunt and uncle. I will still be at the Bridge bright and early to greet all of you and send off the runner and wheeler groups, as I have every year.

Michigan is more than just walking and running the “Mighty Mac” – I encourage you all to take advantage of the many ways to be physically active in our beautiful state.  Go outside and enjoy the beauty of Michigan’s trails, scenic towns and unique landmarks.  Michigan has so much to offer and is waiting for you to explore.

You are each an inspiration and role model to other Michiganians, and I am happy to share a common bond of running and fitness with you.  With only a few days left until the run, Dan and I wish you the best of luck in training, and we’ll see you on September 7!

If thrill and excitement are your heart’s desire, brace yourself for a new additon to this year’s pasta dinner held at Little Bear East Arena.

An auction will take place at the pasta dinner offering the opportunity to bid on a Tower Tour of the Mackinac Bridge. With the opening bid starting at $500, one lucky thrill seeker will win a trip for two to ascend the north or south tower of the Mackinac Bridge to view and photograph the Bridge and the beautiful straits of Mackinac.

This unique experience generally allows 1 hour and 30 minutes climbing the tower (which is more than 550 feet above the water) and taking the tour. The tour is valid between the May 1, 2010 and October 15, 2010.

This tour requires the winner and guest to be 56” or taller and weigh 80 lbs or more. Also, they must be physically capable of climbing a ladder approximately 40 feet in length.

Phone bids are encouraged if you know someone interested in the tour that will not be at the pasta dinner. If they call you on your cell phone, you can make bids for them!

The proceeds of this auction will benefit the Michigan Fitness Foundation, a 501(c) 3 charitable foundation that envisions a physically educated population with the knowledge and skills to enjoy a healthy, vigorous and safe lifestyle in communities designed to support physical activity. For more information, visit www.michiganfitness.org.

Check-in
It is recommended that runners check-in on Sunday, September 6 between 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Pasta Dinner located at Little Bear East in St. Ignace. The second opportunity to check-in is on Monday, September 7 between 5:00 – 5:30 a.m. at the Recreation Center in Mackinaw City.

ID will be required at check-in. Registration packets include important information, dinner ticket(s), a t-shirt, a certificate of participation, an event yearbook and a wrist band.

Wrist bands will be put on during the check-in process. (They can get wet before the Run if necessary.)

All runners, wheelers and fitness ambassadors will receive royal blue t-shirts. State employees will receive navy t-shirts.

Pasta Dinner

Our pasta dinner serves as a chance for our runners to get acquainted and to hear from special guest speakers. Last-minute changes and reminders will also be shared at this time. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased at the door, but dinner RSVPs are preferred ahead of time if possible for catering purposes.                                         *There will be a limited vegetarian option at the dinner.

Run morning
For details on transportation and parking options the morning of the Run please click here.

Plastic bags will be available for warm-up clothes if needed at check-in and at the start line. The bags will be transported to the finish line area near Audie’s Restaurant (B on map) for pick-up after the Run.

Our athletes who are wheelers will be the lead group crossing the Bridge, heading off at 6:35 a.m. Runners will start in random groups of 25 – 50 beginning at 6:45 a.m. Staff will organize and coordinate group starts.

Bridge Run participants will be traveling south (from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City), but the two north bound lanes of the Bridge will be closed to traffic. For safety reasons, runners should use the left lane as much as possible, leaving the right lane clear for wheelers and emergency vehicles.

Finish line

The Bridge Run finish line is separate from the Bridge Walk finish line. Look for our “Runners’ Finish” signs and rope pennants. After crossing the finish, please stay to cheer on your fellow runners and the Governor as they complete the Run. Water and light snacks will be provided. Group photos will be taken at this time, and will be made available online.

Meet the Michigan Fitness Foundation staff
If you have any questions, please look for staff or volunteers in grey t-shirts. We are excited to see all of you at the Bridge!

(From left to right) Governer Jennifer Granholm, Bobby Crim and First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern, at the finish line of the 2008 Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run.

The camaraderie of running and training for a big day like the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run makes all the sweat and tears of hard work worth it.

My name is Bobby Crim, and congratulations on being selected to participate in the sixth year of this phenomenal event.

I’ve been involved with running for many years now, and I have learned that regular physical activity can help keep you young both in body and mind. I have been a long-time participant in the running world and I find myself continually motivated as new comers join in and develop a passion like mine for running.

Coming a long way from the first race I organized in 1977, many Michigan residents are familiar with the Crim Festival of Races, a running event I created to benefit the health of Michigan residents while raising money for the Special Olympics. The benefits, both short and long-term, that result from physical activity is a driving force behind my advocacy for healthy living.

The Bridge Run is a wonderful opportunity for Michigan residents to be active, while enjoying a beautiful sunrise over the Mighty Mac. I have participated in the event in previous years, and always look forward to the opportunity to run the five-mile course. I wish you the best in training for this event and look forward to seeing you bright and early on the bridge.

Farm Bureau has been a sponsor of the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run for six years. As a sponsor, they select a representative to participate in the Bridge Run. This year Mark Bone, Certified Senior Advisor at Farm Bureau Insurance in Midland, will join our runners on Labor Day.

Hi, my name is Mark Bone and I am excited to run this year’s Bridge Run. I work for Farm Bureau insurance and have been with them for more than 13 years. I was born in Scotland and moved to Michigan when I was young. Right now I am training hard for a 100 mile bike race in Leelanau County called the Harvest Tour, but also running to get ready for the Bridge. We are spending the weekend in Mackinac and are very excited about Labor Day.

The excitement and anticipation is growing in our office as the Bridge Run is just weeks away. We always look forward to this one-of-a-kind event, and are amazed each year by the great enthusiasm expressed by all the participants. As I have heard from many past Bridge runners, this is an experience you won’t forget.

I would like to thank all those who work so hard to make the Bridge Run a success. For the past six years we have collaborated with the Mackinac Bridge Authority, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Office to bring you this event. In addition, sponsorship from Farm Bureau Insurance and the Michigan Health Ministries of Ascension Health helps us make the event so memorable for each participant.

As a runner, each time you go outside to run in your neighborhood, you are demonstrating the need for environments that support physical activity. I cannot thank each of you enough for your role as a leader and fitness advocate. You are representing your communities well and helping to set positive examples for those around you.

Keep up the great work and enjoy yourself at the Bridge!

Marilyn Lieber has been with the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness since 1997 and has served as President and CEO since 2003. She also serves on the Board of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the Harris Nature Center Foundation.

As a way to honor the great work done by Michigan State Departments, each department has chosen representative runners to participate in the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run. (Please note: state department representatives are selected by their department, not included in the online lottery.)

Congratulations to:

Jacalyn Black- Department of Civil Service

Patricia Calore- Department. of Treasury

James Dennis- Department. of Corrections

John Foley- Michigan Department of Community Health

Brenda Gardner- Department of Energy and Growth

Dennis Gast- Department of Natural Resources

Creig Grey- Department of Natural Resources

Leon Hank- Michigan Department of Transportation

Paul Jacokes- Department of Management and Budget

Todd McMyler- Department of Energy Labor and Econ Growth

Maria Mendez- Michigan Economic Development Corp

Rex Menold- Department of Information Technology

Mark Miller- Michigan Department of Community Health

Michael Mulcrone- Department of Environmental Quality

Michael Odette- Michigan Department of Transportation

Patricia Ordiway- Department of Corrections

Michele Richards- Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

Krista Ried- Department of Education

Ronald Shepar- Department of Management and Budget

Steve Shine- Department of Agriculture

Scott Silkworth- Michigan State Police

Darmesh Valsadia- Michigan Department of Transportation

Gerald Yott- Michigan State Police

Congratulations again on being selected by your department, and thank you for encouraging the change we need by promoting physical activity this Labor Day.

Ten standout individuals have been selected to serve as fitness ambassadors for the 2009 Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run. The ambassadors’ are from all over Michigan and each have a unique personal fitness story to share. Many have overcome great barriers in order to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Some have dedicated their time to helping others become physically active. They are all role models for active living and illustrate how dedication and determination can pay off in big ways. This year’s fitness ambassadors are:

Jill Gushow, Midland County

Wallace Harris, Ottawa County  

Marie Jones-Watts, Genesee County

Jessica Kerfoot, Grand Traverse County

Mechelle Kuchar, Saginaw County

Argenta Lucas, Oakland County

Reddog Sina, Haslett County

Sarah Smalheer, Washtenaw County

Jack Thomas III, Delta County

Ken Visger, Kent County

Congratulations to the 10 fitness ambassadors, and thank you for sharing your stories! Each ambassador’s fitness story will be featured in the Bridge Run yearbook that will be provided to Bridge Run participants on Labor Day.