I find some magic in buying Michigan products and the whole, do, shop, eat and give back local trend. Yes, when we help the local economy we do help ourselves but it's much more than that, I find it adds to the quality of life and makes me feel rooted. I love farm to table trend in restaurants letting me know about local ingredients used, it absolutely adds to my dining experience.

That said, when the Running Fit event department team came up with the idea of a run/walk series that would promote and support Michigan products I was excited. When I found out it would center around Michigan craft beers, wines and hard cider I was ecstatic!

Mark your calendars for "The Thirsty 3", the not so serious Michigan run series that starts with the "Hightail to Ale 5K" Friday night from Atwater Brewery in Detroit on May 2nd followed by "Running Between The Vines" Half Marathon and 5K at Sandhill Crane Vineyard August 16th, 20 miles west of Ann Arbor and finishes with "The Scrumpy Skedaddle 5K & 10K", October 5th,  from the home of J.K.'s Scrumpy Organic Hard Cider in Flushing, MI. Post-race parties will include pairings of local fun drinks, fun food and great live local entertainment! Registration will open at 2PM, Thursday, December 19. Visit the websites listed above for more information and registration!

Live it up locally,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed local runner who is Pure Michigan Proud! I love this place!

PS: HAPPY HOUR! Does the Thirsty 3 sound like your kind of series? If you enter the entire series at once, SAVE $10 off your registration with the online code HAPPYHOUR. This discount will run from Thursday, December 19th at 2PM until Friday, December 20th at 9PM. Make sure to share with your friends because it's no fun running or drinking alone! Registration will open HERE at 2PM Dec. 19.