For the past three years, Governor Granholm, First Gentleman Mulhern and their children have run the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day at sunrise along with 300 Michigan runners selected through a lottery process. The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health & Sports/Michigan Fitness Foundation
would like mentor teams to join them in this event.

They would like to bring a wellness component to the mentoring partnership
by providing an opportunity for 25 mentor teams (you and your mentee) to
spend the summer training together to run the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day,
September 3, 2007. Not only is running on the Mackinac Bridge a unique and
special experience, but training together would provide important lessons in team-work,
goal setting, accomplishment and developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

Two Local Matches participating in 2007's Mentoring: A Running Start Bridge Run:

    Little Brother Ricky & Big Brother Todd

Todd is a student at Northern Michigan University majoring in entertainment and sports promotion with a double minor in art and design, and media production and new technology.  He is the general manager of the college radio station WUPX and the president of First Aid Productions, an organization that books concerts for the university.  He is the campus representative for the web browser Firefox and also a part of Superior Edge, a program that works with community involvement, diversity, leadership and the real world.  Todd has been matched with Ricky for almost four years and together they like to watch movies, go biking, play video games, go snowboarding and play catch.  Ricky will be in seventh grade at North Star Academy and is involved in baseball and football.  He likes to skateboard and play Nintendo Wii.  Todd and Ricky share a love for the outdoors where some of their favorite memories took place including biking in Marquette and going fishing.  Todd appreciates Ricky’s youthful spirit and looks forward to proving to him that he can accomplish the run.  Ricky says “Todd is very patient with me and he makes sure he always calls me and asks to hang out with me.  I hope that I can be as nice and caring as him when I grow up!

        Big Brother Gary & Little Brother Tony

Gary is a father of two and a retired iron miner with a BS from Northern Michigan University.  He enjoys photography, woodworking, camping, fishing, hunting and traveling.  Gary stays active with Tony by sailing, hiking and kayaking.  They have been matched since February 2006 and share a favorite memory of attending a Packers game in Green Bay.  Tony will be a sophomore at Gwinn High School this fall and is involved in football.  He looks forward to training this summer and running on Labor Day.  Tony appreciates that Gary is always there for him and willing to help.  Gary admires Tony’s courtesy and positive attitude in handling adversity.

As a selected mentor team, a mentor and his/her mentee will enjoy a wonderful weekend on
Mackinac Island and be provided the following opportunities:

• Two night stay at Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island

• Behind-the-scenes look at the Mackinac Bridge

• Boat transportation to and from the Island (including all luggage transfers)

• Bus transportation to and from St. Ignace (one from the lower peninsula and one from the
  upper peninsula)

• Free pair of running shoes

  For more information please visit www.michiganfitness.org