MUSKEGON — The Mercy Health Seaway Run/Lake Michigan Half Marathon, one of Michigan’s most scenic and most popular runs, has a new Race Director for 2017! Andrew Buikema will be replacing Joe Doyle, who has resigned after helping to grow the event over the past four years.

“We will miss Joe, who has played a key role in the rapid and successful growth of this historical community event, but are excited to have Andrew join us this year.” said event co-chairs, Chris Burnaw and Mike Workman. “Andrew’s involvement in the running community, including participation in local running groups and working with regional races, will help us continue to make our event a great experience for all of our participants, from beginners to elite.”

Buikema has been a volunteer and a participant with the Mercy Health Seaway Run/Lake Michigan Half Marathon for several years. He speaks proudly of his wife and two children also being involved in the running community – all are enthusiastic runners. Buikema has completed 20 half marathons and 5 marathons to date, serving as a pacer in the 5/3 River Bank Run, Rivertown Half Marathon, Chicago Spring Half Marathon and Grand Rapids Full and Half Marathons. He has coordinated the pacers for the Charleviox Half/Full Marathon and Rivertown Half Marathon, and will be working with Gazelle Sports to coordinate pacers for the 5/3 Riverbank Run in 2017.

With courses that take advantage of the beautiful shorelines of Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, the Mercy Health Seaway Run has been a favorite of runners from across Michigan and beyond for over three decades. By creating a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, the Mercy Health Seaway Run celebrates healthy living and a healthy community with events for all ages and abilities, with thousands of participants running and walking! The Lake Michigan Half Marathon is now an established part of the event, with a unique name for this course that showcases our beautiful Lake Michigan.

“The community has supported the Seaway Run for over three decades,” said race organizers. “We hope to see more people than ever join us for this healthy and fun community event in 2017 – with three distances and the option to run or walk, there really is something for everyone.”

Participants in all events will be able to register online quickly and easily at www.seawayrun.com/register. Watch for online registration to open on November 28 with a special Cyber Monday deal! Proceeds from the event benefit the 1 in 21 Healthy Muskegon County initiative and Muskegon Family YMCA healthy community programs. Connect with the event on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeawayRun and on Twitter @seawayrun.

About 1 in 21:
Launched by the Muskegon Rotary Club in 2011, the vision of 1 in 21 is that Muskegon County will be the healthiest County in Michigan by 2021, because a healthy community is the foundation for academic achievement and economic prosperity. To learn more, visit 1in21.org.

About the Muskegon Family YMCA:
The mission of the Muskegon Family YMCA is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. To learn more, visit muskegonymca.org.