Milestone year for Rotary Run highlights several race events over the coming weeks
Participants get off to a quick start at last year's Rotary Run Charity Classic near The Community House. The fall tradition draws runners of all ages to test their stamina and raise money for several local service organizations. (file photo)
Cooler weather makes for comfortable running conditions. For those looking to pick up the pace this season, there are several upcoming opportunities to both get a workout and make a difference for worthy causes.
For the last 30 autumns, the Rotary Run Charity Classic has brought runners to The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St. and sent them out onto Hinsdale's streets for a healthy race and a philanthropic mission. This year's milestone staging of the run will be Sunday, Oct. 6, with races for every member and ability level in the family.
Tom Norton, event co-chair, said marking the 30th anniversary underscores the event's impact .
"It holds all kind of promise, and it always comes together very nicely," said Norton, in his seventh year leading the run.
The morning's activities will kick off with the Hinsdale Bank & Trust 10K Run at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Rooney Family 5K Run at 8:45 a.m., the MPS Loria Financial Planners 3K Run at 8:50 a.m. and the Jaguar-Land Rover Hinsdale 5K Walk, DeSitter Flooring 3K Walk and Murphy Construction Mutt Strut all stepping off at 8:55 a.m. Pets and strollers are allowed only in the Mutt Strut.
"What we're happy with is that we continue to be able to make significant donations to several important service organizations in our town," Norton said, naming the Ray Graham Association, Hinsdale Hospital Foundation and The Community House.
Norton said weathering the pandemic helped underscore the common purpose all share in serving the Hinsdale community and surrounding area.
"Those organizations are very important service providers for the community," Norton commented, estimating that upwards of $2.5 million has been raised since the inception of the Rotary Run.
He loves seeing families participate - especially the second generation.
"We have a lot of parents who actually ran in the original races who are now running with their kids," Norton said.
Coordinating some 150 volunteers to pull off the event is considerable task, Norton admitted.
"It's a major effort, but we think it's worth it."
Registration is $30 person and $100 per family through Sept. 29. Participants receive a T-shirt. The fees the rise to $35 and $120, respectively, the week before the race.
Visit http://www.hinsdale.rotary6450.org.
Dash through Danada
Join the first group to run in the inaugural Chick-fil-A 5K on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.
The race starts at 9 a.m. and will traverse through the more than 700 acres of prairies, woods and wetlands that make up the protected area. McCabe from 101.9's Afternoon Mix will host the event, and all runners will receive a commemorative shirt, race medal and Mix swag bag.
Proceeds from the run will benefit the American Cancer Society.
Registration is $45. Visit https://chickfila5kchicagoland.enmotive.com/events/chick-fil-a-5k.
Superhero Hustle
Be a hero by joining the 21st annual Superhero Hustle 5K to run, walk or roll for Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Easterseals provides pediatric outpatient rehabilitation services to children with developmental delays and disabilities as well as support for patients' families.
The USATF-certified 5K run/2-mile walk will begin and end at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, 830 S. Addison Ave., Villa Park.
Check-in is from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., and the walk/run begins at 9 a.m. After the run enjoy a catered lunch, live music and a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers, and take pictures to commemorate the day in a superhero-themed photo booth.
Early bird registration is $30 by Oct. 2. Families can purchase a four-pack that includes four attendees, two T-shirts, food and registration for $100. Easterseals clients and toddlers and infants are free. Participants who register by Sept. 20 receive a free Superhero Hustle T-shirt.
Participants also can set up a fundraising page as an individual or form a team to help raise money for Easterseals while earning great prizes.
Visit http://www.easterseals.com.
Fall Color 5K
Unearth your inner tree champion with this run and walk on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53 in Lisle.
Run or walk a 5K, USATF-certified course that winds through the arboretum's wooded East Side, enjoying the crisp autumn air under a canopy of beautiful trees. The race distance may also completed virtually from a location of choice.
The race begins at 8 a.m., and awards will be issued to the top overall male, female and nonbinary winners as well as the top three male, female and nonbinary winners in each age division. Participants receive a commemorative branded T-shirt. After completing the course, attend a post-race party with live music, food trucks and a complimentary beverage - and then spend the rest of the day exploring the arboretum.
Registration must be done before race day. The fee for the in-person race is $55 through Sept. 17 - $45 for arboretum members - then increases to $60/$50 through Oct. 24. Virtual registration is $45/$35.
Visit http://www.mortonarb.org.
