The inaugural Great Michigan Race was a huge success last weekend in Downtown Rochester. The event raised over $20,000 for the Special Olympics this year. There were over 240 active racers competing and floods of onlookers and families in the Family Fun Park. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the grounds of the Royal Park Hotel, the racers took off! The course, which spanned eight miles, included spots in the DDA region of Main Street, a Zip Line over Paint Creek at the Rochester Municipal Park, and countless scenic areas along the many trails and paths in
Downtown Rochester. Mayor Jeffrey Cuthbertson was there to cheer on his friends on Team Rochester. The Mayor commented, “We couldn’t be more pleased with this turn out and with the weather we had today. It was great to see so many people enjoying our city. We are glad to support a great cause like the Special Olympics.” As it came to a close around 4:30 p.m., the top 12 teams were asked to go inside the ballroom at the Royal Park Hotel to complete one last event. Emcee Mickey Redmond, Hall of Fame Hockey Legend, explained that each team would be given an envelope in which were pieces to several various photographs. The team was to empty the envelope, assemble each picture, and attach it to the appropriate label on the poster board in front of them. There were many close contenders, but the group sponsored by the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library, “The Dewey Divas,” took home the prize! It was a great event! Co-Founder and Organizer, Jill Fraeyman, said she is looking forward to next year already and was thrilled with all the community support the Great Michigan Race received.
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About Tom and Ann Gendich
