There will be a police chase on Aug. 28 in Flint involving three cops from Brandon Township.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Pete Burkett, Brandon substation commander, as well as Brandon deputies Dave Rheaume and Arnie Terrell will run a 5K that day as part of the 2010 Crim Festival of Races.
The main pursuit, however, is not to catch a first place medal, but to recapture health.
‘Six months ago, I couldn’t imagine doing 13 laps on a track, 5 kilometers,? said Rheaume. ‘Next year, I want to do 10 miles.?
This year will mark Rheaume’s debut at the Crim. He began running in March after a ‘perfect storm? of events. Early in the year, a close friend of his died and Rheaume, concerned for his own health, went for a physical. He had reason to be concerned? his cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure were all high.
‘It dawned on me to change my lifestyle,? said the 54-year-old deputy. ‘Six months later, I’m 50 pounds lighter and my numbers are back to normal. The doctor says I’m the poster boy for what a motivated person can do.?
To get to where he is today, Rheaume changed his diet, cutting out bread, sweets and snack foods, and now goes to the gym three days a week and jogs on the track at the old football field on Varsity Drive in Ortonville three days a week.
He had to get all new uniforms for his new physique, which he said was inspired by Burkett.
‘I thought, ‘If he can do it, I can do it,?? Rheaume said.
This will be Burkett’s second Crim, but he said when he ran it in 2004, he was not in shape to do it. After, he went on blood pressure medication, started eating better, and started being consistent with his cardio training. During the past two years, he has lost 35 pounds, has run several 5K races and also competed in the Big Fish Lake Triathlon.