| ADDRESS: 2299 West Grand River Ave. Okemos, MI 48864 |
PHONE: (517) 349-3803 | HOURS: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., |
2009 calendars now at Playmakers;
The 2009 events calendar is now available to print out your own copy from the links below or to pick up in the store at Playmakers. Click on other links below for a look at the 2009 calendar and the list of the Mid-Michigan area's fastest road race times of 2008 that each appeared in the Lansing State Journal last week. |
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Indoor track, outdoor 5K opportunities
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250 finish Jingle Belle Women's 5K
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Playmakers Racing Team
takes 8th
The Playmakers Racing Team finished eighth of 39 teams in the USA Track and Field National Club Cross Country Championships on Saturday.
Former NCAA 1,500-meter champion and Olympian Grant Robison of East Lansing finished the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) course in 32 minutes, 4 seconds and 29th place. Kris Koster took 69th in 33:07, Matt Bartlebaugh 90th in 33:24, Nick Krus 92nd in 33:26, Paul Jozwiak 105th in 33:36, Jacob Crowe of Grand Ledge 123rd in 33:55, Scott Schmick of Lansing 154th in 34:26 and Jerome Recker of Lansing 185th in 34:53. |
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Record 1,210 finish Turkeyman Trot 5K; Turkeyman Trot 5K, Run-a-Munk photos; MSU women runners 11th in NCAA
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Potterville again Div. 4 boys champions;
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Mid-Michigan road races |
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View race series award photos, statistics
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1,022 finish MSUFCU Dinosaur Dash 5K
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Would a 5K be a good fundraiser? Starting a 5K run/walk is not easy. The following is some information that might make you decide to try a chicken dinner or a bake sale instead. This information can also be helpful for someone looking to improve a race or for someone who has been selected as a new race director for an event. |
Click on links below to see indoor track opportunities for both high school students (MITS events) and older runners (the Great Lakes Indoor Track and Field Series). There are also links to information about three mid-Michigan road races coming up if you prefer longer events outdoors. (The Lansing State Journal photo of Eastern High School's Ricardo Dabney was taken at the MSU True Team Indoor Meet last March.)
An amazing total of 276 runners and walkers registered for and 250 finished the inaugural Jingle Belle Women's 5K on Dec. 13. The 3.1-mile course started and finished near Delta Township District Library. A holiday expo featuring crafts and gift ideas was held in conjunction with the event.
A record 1,210 runners and walkers completed the eighth annual Lansing Turkeyman Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning. The winners (photo by Jeff Crowe) were former Olympian Grant Robison of East Lansing and Michigan State standout Emily Langenberg of Grand Ledge.
The Potterville boys repeated as Division 4 state champions on Nov. 1 in the MHSAA cross country state finals at Michigan International Speedway near Brooklyn. The Leslie girls finished runner-up in Division 3, the Williamston girls third in Division 2, the Fowler girls fifth in Division 4, and the Williamston boys sixth in Division 2. The photo of Potterville senior all-stater and sixth-place finisher Larry Julson was taken by Ike Lea for RunMichigan.com.
Lansing Race Series were presented on Oct. 12 at Playmakers. Race series T-shirts for those who completed at least 
six of the 12 events, and cards for free monthly loaves of bread from the Great Harvest Bread Company were also awarded to those who completed at least 10 of the 12 events.
A total of 1,022 finishers (822 runners, 198 walkers and 2 wheelers) completed the MSUFCU Dinosaur Dash 5K on Oct. 5, the 12th and final event in the Playmakers Greater Lansing Race Series, near the MSU Museum.
You can still join the Team!
Even though the Team Playmakers co-ed winter/spring training program kick-off has passed, anyone can still come into the Playmakers store and sign up to join Team Playmakers. Enjoy comaraderie, coaching and training for exciting spring events like the Komen Greater Lansing Race for the Cure 5K on April 26, Fifth Third Riverbank 25K in Grand Rapids on May 9 or Bayshore Marathon/Half-Marathon/10K on May 23 in Traverse City.
Winter kick-off flyer | Team page
State Journal women's kickoff story
Team Playmakers 12/29-1/4
| Tuesday, 6 p.m., Michigan Athletic Club lobby- informal walk/run outside with team leader Mike Cosgrove.
Wednesday, no injury clinic due to New Year's Eve- and Playmakers will be closing at 5 p.m. Thursday, run/walk around Lake Lansing has been called off for this week- due to New Year's Day (and Playmakers will be closed) Saturday, 8:30 a.m., women's group training at Playmakers-Husbands, boyfriends, brothers and fathers are allowed to train with the women if that works best for your family. Coaches Cheryl and Mary Pat will be present. Saturday, 8:30 a.m., co-ed group training at Hawk Island County Park-Coaches Steve and Lindsey will be present. Sunday, 6-8 p.m., Team Playmakers Co-ed Training Kickoff at Playmakers-A program overview will take place from 7-7:30 p.m., and early sign-up for alumni will start at 5:30 p.m. |
E-mail Team Playmakers coaches
Contact the coaches (such as Lindsey Drake, who is pictured on the right) with questions regarding Team Playmakers, which is available for walkers and runners of all abilities. Sign up any time at Playmakers to receive coaching, team comaraderie and training runs as preparation for events such as the Fifth Third Bank Riverbank 25K/5K in Grand Rapids on May 10 or Traverse City State Bank Bayshore Marathon/Half-Marathon on May 24.
E-mail Ann Crane |E-mail Lindsey Drake
E-mail Steve Santer | E-mail Cheryl Hansen
Lindsey Drake writes in Healthy&Fit
Team Playmakers coach Lindsey Drake contributes stories nearly every month for Healthy & Fit Magazine. Click on the archive page below and then on different articles next to each month's issue to read what she wrote.
Healthy & Fit magazine archive
Girls on the Run |
View Girls on the Run photos
The Girls on the Run finale was held on Nov. 8 at Lansing's Hawk Island County Park. Playmakers is proud to sponsor the non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. The curriculum addresses all aspects of girls' development, including their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.
2008 pictures by Photo Runner's Dan Carey
State Journal Girls on the Run story
Lansing State Journal 2008 event photos
Lansing State Journal 2007 event photos
More info on Girls on the Run program
How the Girls on the Run program works
More on Greater Lansing Girls on the Run
Other clubs, groups |
MMTC meets on Saturdays
The Mid-Michigan Track Club has switched back to meeting on Saturdays for the colder months. The MMTC meets on Tuesday nights during the warmer months. You can view their schedule by clicking on the link below. There are additional links to other clubs and racing teams.
Mid-Michigan Track Club web site
Portland Running Club web site
Mt. Pleasant Striders Running Club site
MSU Running Club web site
MSU Triathlon Club web site
Lightning Lynx Track Club web site
Frontline Racing Team web site
More from other media sources |
State Journal running columns, blog
You can find links to weekly running columns, stories on Playmakers Greater Lansing Race Series events, a blog called "Kick Asphalt" by LSJ graphic artist Amanda Renkas and more on the LSJ.com running page.
State Journal web site running page
Playmakers, WLNS-TV honor
a team of the week
Each week, WLNS-TV and Playmakers recognize a high school sports team which has accomplished something special.
WLNS team of the week archive
Lake Lansing Park-North trails |
Help save the Lake Lansing Park-North trails from development
Help preserve some of the Lake Lansing Park-North trails from development. Links below have more information on the project.
Event photos at Lake Lansing
North park trail preservation
State Journal story on trails
Cycling |
Tri-County Bicycle Association
Whether you enjoy just cycling, want to bike in the DALMAC around Labor Day or want to get into shape for a triathlon, the Tri-County Bicycle Association web site is a good source for information.
Tri-County Bicycle Association
Middle school cross country |
Junior Greater Lansing results, more than 700 photos available
The Okemos boys and East Lansing MacDonald girls were victorious in the Junior Greater Lansing Cross Country Championships on Oct. 13 over a new course near DeWitt Junior High School. Individual winners in the seventh and eighth grade top-7 races were Alex Whitmer of Mason and Raquel Serna of St. Louis Nurnberger.
PhotoRunner's Dan Carey at GLJCCC
Photos by Playmakers' Jeff Crowe
Junior Greater Lansing meet results
Junior Greater Lansing ad from LSJ
Sidewalk sale: Jan. 15-19
closed Wednesday, Jan. 14
7 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15
8 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17
noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19
Free shuttle service from the former Circuit City parking lot near Synergy Fitness and Foods for Living (Grand River Avenue at Park Lake Road)
Playmakers now carries UGG
Playmakers is now offering UGG Australia boots and slippers for sale.
More on UGG Australia products
Governor's Council presents award to Playmakers
The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports presented Playmakers last week with one of its "One in a Million" awards.
Governor's Council award winners
Playmakers again among
top 50 running stores
Playmakers again this year, as in 2006 and 2007, has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Running Stores in America by two leading trade and consumer publications.
Top 50 list and selection criteria
Good Form level 2 Mondays
at MSU's Jenison Fieldhouse
Because of growing popularity, Good Form Running Level 2 clinics are now being scheduled every Monday in Michigan State University's jenison Fieldhouse. The session will take place from 6:15-7:45 p.m. The cost for the Level 2 sessions is $20. Call early at (517) 349-3803 to register because each session is only open to the first half-dozen registrants. As always, the weekly Thursday Level 1 sessions (from 6-7:30 p.m.) are free of charge and held in the conference room upstairs at Playmakers. Please call (517) 349-3803 to sign up for those sessions as well. Good Form Running is a Playmakers version of using "proper form" to prevent injuries and run effectively.
Good Form Level 2 brochure
Good Form Level 1 brochure
State Journal on Good Form
Running form techniques
Merino wool doesn't itch or absorb odors, keeps you cool in heat, warm in cold
Playmakers employees and customers have been amazed by and strongly recommend garments, apparel and socks made of Merino wool. Unlike your grandmother's wool, it doesn't itch. But it also doesn't absorb odors (so you won't have to wash nearly as often) and it keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather.
Merino wool article
Brands, products at Playmakers
Click here for a form that allows you to claim a race series T-shirt or Great Harvest Bread Card.
2009 Playmakers Greater Lansing Race Series
(Click on race series logo for 2009 schedule and information)
2009 series dates:
4/19-MSUFCU Safe Place 5K
4/26-Lansing Race for Cure 5K
5/1-Mason State Bank 5K
5/16-Capitol Bancorp 5K
6/5-Cooley 5K for Education
6/27-Max's Race 5K
7/26-Ele's Race 5K
8/16-Leg it for Life 5K
9/13-DeWitt Trail 5K
9/20-Autumn Classic 8K
9/27-Capital City Half-Marathon
10/4-MSUFCU Dinosaur Dash 5K
Final 2008 standings
(after 12 events)
Men's overall
Women's overall
Men's age group
Women's age group
2003-07 Playmakers Greater Lansing Race Series final standings
2007 race series
awards presented, stats
2007 race series page
Playmakers in State Journal after receiving Michigan Retailers Association award
The Lansing State Journal featured Playmakers on the cover of one of its November issues of Business Weekly. Last October, Playmakers' owners Judy and Curt Munson were presented with the 2007 Michigan Retailer of the Year award in the medium-sized retailer category by the Michigan Retailers Association.
State Journal business story
Michigan Retailers news release
Playmakers Kids next door
Playmakers Kids is located just east and connected to Playmakers at the 2297 W. Grand River Avenue site most recently occupied by a couple of coffee shops. Playmakers Kids features apparel and footwear for children.
Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m.
If you have sore feet, heels, knees or back or some other injury, come to Playmakers from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday and talk things over with a sports medicine professional.
Articles on common run injuries
