Big Rapids Hospital, Reed City Hospital

Countdown Begins for the Annual Wheatlake Festival of Races

Online Registration Closes May 14

May 4, 2107 – BIG RAPIDS & REED CITY, MICH: Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals are gearing up for the annual Wheatlake Festival of Races two weeks away on Saturday, May 20, 2017.  

Join the cause to fight cancer and support local patients of the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center in Reed City. Online registration closes Sunday, May 14, however, in-person registrations will still be accepted during packet pick-up and does not guarantee a shirt. Packets can be picked up on Friday, May 19 at the Holiday Inn in Big Rapids from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and also morning of the races at Bandshell behind the Big Rapids Middle School.

Courses are available for the whole family including:

  • Half Marathon – This 13.1-mile course begins at the Reed City Depot and ends at the Bandshell behind Big Rapids Middle School. Registration starts at 6 a.m., and the race begins at 8 a.m. Registration costs $80. Bussing to start line is available at 6:45 a.m. and 7 a.m.
  • 10K Run – *NEW* in 2017 – This 2-mile course starts from Paris Park to the Bandshell behind Big Rapids Middle School. Registration is at 6 a.m., and race begins at 8 a.m. Registration costs $50. Bussing to start line is available at 6:45 a.m. and 7 a.m.
  • 5K Run & Wellness Walk – This 3.1-mile course starts in Hemlock Park and ends at the Bandshell behind Big Rapids Middle School. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m. Registration costs $30.
  • Kids Dash – Children 12 and under can run the field at Big Rapids Middle School. Registration is at 10 a.m. The dash begins at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $1 per child, collected at registration on the day of the races.

Free skin cancer screenings will also be provided at the Bandshell from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event. The awards ceremony will be held at 10:40 a.m.

Race proceeds benefit the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Fund, an endowment of the Spectrum Health Foundation Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals. The fund provides resources and materials for use by patients and families facing cancer in our region.

For information or to register, visit spectrumhealth.org/wheatlake-races or call Travis Kroll, race coordinator, at 231.832.6687.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Patricia Ezdebski
Marketing and Public Relations
Office: 231.845.2350
Mobile: 231.301.4864
Email: patricia.ezdebski@corewellhealth.org

Danielle Wells
Media Relations Contact
Email: danielle.wells@spectrumhealth.org