Grab Your Shoes! Tuesday is 'Running Day in Royal Oak'

Tuesday’s cross-country meet at Royal Oak High School is more than just the next race on the schedule, it's “Running Day in Royal Oak.”

Not only will the Ravens host the Shrine Knights, continuing their friendly intra-city rivalry, both squads are teaming up to promote the sport and its many healthful benefits.

Born to run

Running Day is the brainchild of Ravens coaches Ryan Piippo and David Barnett to introduce the community to the lifelong sport of running.

Last year about 120 people participated in all five races.

[See photos from last year's Running Day in Royal Oak.]

Royal Oak students know the rewards associated with being active are many. In June, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced Royal Oak elementary school students out stepped their peers in the ninth annual Count Your Steps competition by averaging 1,309,235 steps per week.

In the individual school Count Your Steps competition, Shrine Catholic Grade School took third with 155,311 steps.

Grab your shoes!

Whether you are an avid runner logging more than 20 miles a week or an every-so-often runner that tries to squeeze one in during a busy work week, grab your shoes and head over to Quickstad Park.

Running Day can be motivation for those seeking interest in running or who want to increase their current running goals. The day is meant for anyone wanting to enhance their lifestyle with exercise and good health in an easy and supportive way.

Schedule

4:30 p.m.: Royal Oak High School vs Shrine High School (boys 5k)
5 p.m.: Royal Oak High School vs Shrine High School (girls 5k)
5:30 p.m.: Middle School Race (2 mile)
5:50 p.m.: Open Race (1 mile)
6:10 p.m.: Raven Race (1/4 mile)

Parents are welcome to run with their kids in the Open Race and Raven Race.

Start/Finish

All races will be held on the grounds of Quickstad Park and Royal Oak HS.  The start and finish lines for all races will be on the south side of Quickstad and ROHS, near the intersection of Lexington and Marais (see map above). 

Parking

Parking is available in the ROHS Lexington lot (adjacent to the course), the Senior/Community Center on Marais, and the ROHS students lots (enter from Normandy).  

Course

Course maps are available online at www.royaloakschools.com/portal/rohs/cc  and will be also be posted in the park on race day.

Entries

No pre-entry is required.  Runners will sign-in near the starting line.  There is no entry fee, though donations to support cross country and track & field at ROHS are appreciated.

Restrooms

Two port-a-johns are located adjacent to the ROHS track and restrooms are available under the ROHS stadium.

Information

Check www.royaloakschools.com/portal/rohs/cc for updates, or email ROHS Coach Dave Barnett at barnettd@royaloakschools.com.