East Lane of Romeo Plank Road to Close Saturday for Run the Plank 5K

The east lane of Romeo Plank Road between 21 and 24 mile roads will be closed from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday to allow runners and walkers participating in the township's first 5K to travel safely from start to finish.

As of Monday, June 25, more than 590 participants had registered to take part in Run the Plank and another 350 guests are expected to join the post-race fun fair at . Event organizers are now anticipating 750 individuals will take part in the race and 1,500 in the fun fair. 

Hosted by , and St. Peter Lutheran Church, this community-wide run/walk is the first of its kind in Macomb and the first event on which the three parishes have collaborated.

Designed as a 5K run/walk, Run the Plank will take participants roughly three miles north along the east side of Romeo Plank Road. Starting at Immanuel Lutheran on 21 Mile, participants will have the option to run or walk Romeo Plank past St. Isidore on 23 Mile and ending at St. Peter Lutheran on 24 Mile.

Although the event will be a timed 5K, with awards for the top three finishers in each age category, the event is firstly a charitable fund-raiser, benefiting Soles4Souls and Macomb County’s homeless students.

While proceeds from the event’s $25 registration fee will benefit the Macomb Intermediate School District’s Homeless Education Project, shoe donations will be directed to Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that recycles shoes of all sizes, brands and conditions and distributes them to adults and children in need around the world.

Immanuel Lutheran Associate Pastor Greg S. Griffith said he estimates more than 500 pairs of shoes have been collected already, with more donations expected to come in immediately following the race. Collection bins are available at all three churches as well as the finish line for community members and race participants.

All community members, even those not participating in the race itself, are invited to attend the post-race family fun fair at St. Peter, featuring inflatables, entertainment and food from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Race Details

Registration: There is a $25 registration fee for both runners and walkers. Participants must register online in advance–the last day for registration is Friday, June 29. There is no race day registration.

Participants will be able to confirm their registration and pick up their T-shirts and cinch bags at Immanuel Lutheran on Friday, June 29, from noon-8 p.m.

Start time: 8:15 a.m., June 30 at Immanuel Lutheran

Finish time: 9:30 a.m., with the fair running until noon

Age Categories: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and older

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category. One overall winner will also be recognized.