News Releases

BIG RAPIDS, Mich., March 31, 2025 – Online registration is now open for the annual Wheatlake Wellness Walk & 5K, an event that raises funds to provide resources, programming and services for patients receiving care at the Corewell Health™ Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center. The in-person walk and 5K race will take place on Saturday, May 17, in Big Rapids. 

Race participants will start and finish at the Big Rapids Bandshell, located behind Big Rapids Middle School at 500 N. Warren Ave. Runners will begin the race at 9:30 a.m. and walkers will follow immediately after the runners. The race features a flat, scenic course designed to be accessible for participants of all abilities. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, and children are invited to participate alongside registered adults.  

The in-person 5K race is professionally timed by the Michigan Running Foundation, with medals for top male and female finishers in 12 different age divisions. The virtual option offers participants the opportunity to complete the race at their own pace, in any location and at any time before Sunday, May 18. Virtual participants do not need to submit a completion time. 

All race proceeds will benefit the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Fund, an endowment of the Corewell Health Foundation Big Rapids & Reed City Hospitals. 

Corewell Health Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center has changed the accessibility of cancer care services for Michigan’s rural communities. The center is a comprehensive regional treatment facility offering radiation therapy, chemotherapy, outpatient infusion therapy and a wellness center, which includes a library, beauty boutique, gift shop and an integrative therapy room. All wellness center services are available at no charge to patients. 

In 2024, nearly $14,000 was raised through the annual 5K event. These donations contributed to the philanthropic funded services provided at the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer center, which included:

• 677 massages given to patients and caregivers 

• 809 acupuncture visits for patients and caregivers 

• 128 visits to the Beautiful You salon 

Registration for the in-person race is available until Saturday, May 17. Virtual race registration closes May 16 at 11:59 p.m. The cost is $35 for the 5K race, $30 for the wellness walk and $25 for the virtual option. To be guaranteed a race shirt, participants must register by April 23. For more information, to register or become an event sponsor, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/BigRapids/WheatlakeFestivalofRaces.   

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About Corewell Health™  

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 65,000+ dedicated people—including more than 12,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,500 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Media contact:

Alexis Bolo Neal

alexis.boloneal@corewellhealth.org