Run With The Bear

08/22/2026

Check out the photos here for Larry's July 25th, 2026, 4 th annual RUN WITH THE BEAR. Ellie Ul did an absolutely wonderful job photographing the event and we are so grateful. Thank you for your beautiful photos Ellie, you are an artist!!!!!

Photo collection by Ellie Cate Photography

08/04/2026

Here are a few photos from the water station at our 4th Annual Run With the Bear!

During the first and second years of our event, Am, whose daughter, Alex, is one of Larry Jr.'s very good friends, faithfully ran our water station. Last year, when Amy was unavailable, the Ulman family stepped in and did a fantastic job.

This year, Amy returned, and with the help of Emma, they once again kept our runners, walkers, and rollers hydrated with smiles and encouragement.

Thank you, Amy and Emma, for giving your time and energy to help make our event such a success. We are so grateful for your support! 💙🐻

08/04/2026

I love this! Thank you, Blasty! You are one of Larry's original Dudes, going all the way back to 2016! A true friend! Thank you for all you do for Larry and so many others! You have a huge and generous heart!!!

Larry Prout Jr., a.k.a. "Bear," started off the 5K by running a lap on his own. As of two weeks ago, he had never walked more than 50 yards according to his mom. He did a lap in the week leading up to his 5K, and then again on race day!

The race was going to start right before he finished his lap, so the participants were all lined to read to run. As I was there to cheer them on, I hurried across the infield to encourage Bear on the back stretch. Look closely and you'll see me. 🕵️‍♀️

Bear's determination, positivity, and generosity, are something we can all strive to emulate. 🫶

2026 Run For The Bear! charity walk/run & roll 🐻

The Larry Prout Jr Courage fund helps families with kids at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital 💛💙 This years event raised close to $80,000!!

08/02/2026

Go Bear Go!!!

08/02/2026

Go Bear Go!!!!

08/02/2026

Everything is unpacked, and we've had a chance to catch our breath, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude.

Last weekend's RUN WITH THE BEAR 5K & 1-Mile All-Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll was so much more than an event. It was a community coming together to help children and families at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

To everyone who participated in the 5K or the 1-Mile All-Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll—thank you for showing up and believing in our mission.

To our sponsors and donors—thank you for making it possible for the Larry Prout Courage Fund and the Elise Prout NICU Fund to continue helping families during some of the hardest times of their lives.

To our amazing volunteers—you are the heart of this event. We couldn't do this without you.

To the businesses that donated products, services, and support—thank you for your incredible generosity.

To the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Livingston County EMS, Putnam Township Fire Department, and the Village of Pinckney Police Department—thank you for keeping everyone safe throughout the day.

And to Pinckney Community Schools and Pinckney Athletics—thank you for believing in our mission and giving us a place to call home. Without your partnership, there simply would not be a RUN WITH THE BEAR.

It truly takes a village, and today that village showed up in the most incredible way.

Larry had a couple visits to UofM this past week. He fought through race day bravely with a smile, but ended up being tested for many infections Monday and Tuesday and they believe his SIBO is back. SIBO pain is excruciating. They started him on Rifaximum at the end of the week so hopefully we will see improvements.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us bring hope, comfort, and support to children and families at Mott. We are beyond grateful. ❤️🐻

PHOTOS COMING SOON!!!!

08/02/2026

07/25/2026

Now that we're finally home, everything is unpacked, and we've had a chance to catch our breath, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude.

Today's RUN WITH THE BEAR 5K & 1-Mile All-Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll was so much more than an event. It was a community coming together to help children and families at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

To everyone who participated in the 5K or the 1-Mile All-Inclusive Run/Walk/Roll—thank you for showing up and believing in our mission.

To our sponsors and donors—thank you for making it possible for the Larry Prout Courage Fund and the Elise Prout NICU Fund to continue helping families during some of the hardest times of their lives.

To our amazing volunteers—you are the heart of this event. We couldn't do this without you.

To the businesses that donated products, services, and support—thank you for your incredible generosity.

To the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Livingston County EMS, Putnam Township Fire Department, and the Village of Pinckney Police Department—thank you for keeping everyone safe throughout the day.

And to Pinckney Community Schools and Pinckney Athletics—thank you for believing in our mission and giving us a place to call home. Without your partnership, there simply would not be a RUN WITH THE BEAR.

It truly takes a village, and today that village showed up in the most incredible way.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us bring hope, comfort, and support to children and families at Mott. We are beyond grateful. ❤️🐻

07/25/2026

The van is loaded. Everything is ready.

It's just getting dark, and I found myself walking through my gardens tonight, trying to calm my mind before tomorrow. It gave me a few quiet moments to stop and think about how incredibly blessed we are.

Larry's best buddy in the world, John O'Korn, is here for the 5K. He's not only an amazing friend, but also serves on our Board of Directors. Looking around at all of the incredible giveaway donations that came from so many of Larry's other best buddies in the world just fills my heart. Bear has some really wonderful friends.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for every volunteer, every board member, every donor, every sponsor, every participant, and every friend who has stood beside us. And most of all, I'm thankful for my husband and our family. Somehow, no matter how impossible it seems, we always pull together and get it done.

Every time I check, another runner has registered. Tonight we're sitting at around $80,000 raised for families at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital through the Larry Prout Jr. Courage Fund and the Elise Prout NICU Fund.

Five years ago, this was just a dream born out of one little boy's desire to help other kids during his own hospital journey. Tomorrow, because of all of you, that dream will continue to change lives.

My heart is so full I can hardly put it into words.

Thank you for believing in Larry. Thank you for believing in our mission. And thank you for helping us bring hope to families who need it most.

See you in the morning.

07/24/2026

💙 THANK YOU, JEFF FRATARCANGELI! 💙

Race day is almost here!

A huge thank you to our Silver Sponsor, Jeff Fratarcangeli, for supporting the 4th Annual Run for the Bear 5K & 1-Mile Run/Walk/Roll. Your generosity helps the Larry Prout Jr. Courage Fund continue providing emergency support to children and families at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, while also supporting the Elise Prout NICU Fund.

Because of sponsors like you, we're able to make a real difference for families who need it most.

From the bottom of our hearts... thank you!

🏃 See you tomorrow!

Register or donate: https://runsignup.com/runforthebear