'Freeze Your Franny' to Benefit 3 Macomb Co. Charities, Promote Healthy Living

With warming tents, snow-free running paths and an endless supply of hot cocoa, organizers of the Freeze Your Franny 5K say there is no excuse for skipping this winter exercise and charitable fund-raiser.

“This is a no excuse event,” said event director and Roberts Elementary teacher Nancy Smith. “This is a chance to get out and get active in the winter. It is so beautiful at Stony Creek and I don’t think you could find a more perfect event.”

Hosted by the Utica Education Association and Utica Paraprofessionals Association, the Freeze Your Franny 5K run/walk will return to Stony Creek Metropark for its third year Saturday, Jan. 26.

"As teachers and parapros, we’re always working to raise awareness of issues like obesity and providing programs that will make us healthier and better. As often as we can extend programs like that to the community, the more awareness there will be,” Smith said, adding that the event also serves as a fund-raiser for three Macomb County charities.

Proceeds from the 2013 event will benefit MCREST (Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team), the Macomb County Food Bank and 4 Paws 1 Heart.

“Our primary purpose is to promote wellness, but we thought we could also support local charities that may not have their own large event,” Smith said. “We try to select diverse charities that could use financial support and are willing to be involved in our event as well, either through participating or helping promote it.”

Beyond raising a specific dollar amount, Smith said she hopes the event also serves to promote the good deeds and needs of these organizations. Of course the more community members who take part in the event, the more proceeds organizers will be able to donate.

The race is open to all ages, with medals for the top two finishers in each age group and $25 gift certificates for the overall and masters’ male and female winners.

Registration is available online or by mail though Jan. 25 and in person on race day. The per person fee, listed below, includes a long sleeve T-shirt with the Freeze Your Franny logo, bib tag timing and warm refreshments at the end of the race. There is no added charge for strollers or dogs. 

Adult

• $20 – Through Jan 19
• $25 – Jan. 20-25
• $30.00 – Race Day

Child Under 12

• $12 – Through Jan 19
• $17 – Jan. 20-25
• $22 – Race Day

The race starts at 11 a.m. Jan. 26 and participants are invited to walk or run the course, which is USA Track & Field (USAFT) certified and will be salted, or cleared as needed on race day. Runners are invited to gather in warming tents after the race to reboot with soup, coffee, hot chocolate and the music of a DJ.

Race day parking will be available at Eastwood Beach. There is a $5 per vehicle fee to enter Stony Creek.

For more information, or to register for the event, visit http://freezeyourfranny.com/.