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Thousands of runners ran the 41st Annual Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press

Each week, the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon chooses a runner to spotlight as the New Balance Runner of the Week. Whether you’re training for a full marathon, going out on the weekend for a long run or getting back into the swing of running, the race loves to showcase its runners.

The marathon is proud to partner with the following sponsors: New Balance, the Official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon. The Stick, a self-massage tool helping runners recover since 1988, will be sending each winner a Sprinter Stick.

Want to be the runner of the week or know someone who should be? Tag your pictures with #freepmarathon and #runneroftheweek on social media for a chance to be featured.

More: Reduced pricing now available for the Detroit Free Press/TCF Marathon

More: Detroit Free Press marathon New Balance runner of the week: Gary Dueweke

Location: Wyoming, Mich.

Age: 44

How long you’ve been running: About 10 years

Your running story, and if you feel comfortable, your latest PR or race times: In my mid-30s, I decided to start running as a new hobby. After just signing up and running a 5K,10K and a 15K distance, I looked to run the local Riverbank 25K run, which I finally thought I might need to train for. I joined Gazelle Sports’ training program for the Riverbank run in 2012. There were some amazing people who helped guide me along, convincing me to take on many running adventures that year, including the Chicago Marathon (4:20:41). Quickly, I fell in love with the sport and decided to train other runners. Serving as a pa ce group team leader for two years was an awesome leadership opportunity. The first marathon pace group I led became the foundation for a charity group that I founded years later: Team BAM (BadAss Marathoners)is a group of awesome marathon runners and those who have started on the path to running their first marathon. Our “mission” is to support and cheer wildly for each other as we conquer one of the most amazing athletic challenges. All marathoners and future marathoners are welcome regardless of finishing time. Everyone who takes on this personal journey needs help at some point. The BAM group has a BAM shirt fundraiser each year where 100% of money paid above the shirt cost or donated by nonmarathoners is donated to the P.O.R.T (Pediatric Oncology Resource Team) at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s 9th Floor.

I have run eight marathons including Chicago, Bayshore Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon (4:14:52) and the Medtronic Marathon in Minneapolis, which was my PR: 4:02:36.

How many miles you run per week: 23

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Favorite running song: We Run the Night by Havana Brown 

Favorite post-run snack: Beer/anything with chocolate

Best piece of training advice: Nobody ever said I wore too much sunscreen or body glide while running. Running is about working on your entire body: pushups, weight training: upper and lower body area, working on your core, hip exercises; vary runs between trail and road. 

Do you run for a charity? I run for Team BAM.

Are you planning on running in any Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank events in 2019?: Yes! The Detroit Free Press/TCF Marathon

Follow Brian on social media @teambamrunning or #TeamBAM