Log miles at races throughout the state and get cool swag like a hoodie, water bottle, medal, even the chance to win a trip up to the top of the Mackinac Bridge — what’s not to like about that? Heather gets the lowdown on the Pure Michigan FITness Series, offered through the Michigan Fitness Foundation, when she has Lansing runner Michelle Coss on the show. MIchelle, who is is training for this spring’s Bayshore Half Marathon, is the event director at the Michigan Fitness Foundation, where she focuses on the Labor Day Bridge Run, the Governor’s Fitness Awards, the Pure Michigan FITness Series and the Auto Show 5K in Detroit. She also directs Lansing’s only marathon, the Fifth Third Capital City River Run, set this year for Sept. 18. Michelle and Heather talk about the numerous races throughout the state that are part of the FITness Series — these are endorsed by the Foundation and are local, regional and state events consistent with the Governor’s Council mission to promote healthy choices, while offering a physical activity event open to all participants, regardless of skill level or age. What this means for all of us: when we participate in these events, we can join, for free, the Pure Michigan FITness Challenge Series and start earning cool stuff. A searchable event calendar of these races is available at michiganfitness.org — you can be a runner or a volunteer at any of these races to earn points.

Also in this episode: an inspiring story of a South Haven runner who overcame a traumatic brain injury and ran her first 5K. Listeners are encouraged to send in their own inspiring stories to Heather — email her here »


*If you enjoy what you’re hearing on the Michigan Runner Girl show, I’d be so grateful if you’d take a few moments to write a review on iTunes. This will help more runners and Michigan lovers like yourself find the podcasts. Thank you!! Also, the quickest way to get the podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. 

A special thanks to Mike Moran of Quarter After Productions in Traverse City, Mich. for producing the show. Check out his work here, and if you like Michigan craft beer like me, tune into the popular Short’s Cast, a show he produces for Short’s Brewing Company of Bellaire, Mich.

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