Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Runners Take A Stand For Youth Services
And they're off at the start of the June 21 "YOUth Make a Difference" 5K in The Glen.
By STEPHANIE MARGELOS Special to the Journal
The fifth annual 5K run/walk benefiting Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook took place on Father's Day morning.
The event was started five years ago by Jessica Garvey. Garvey began organizing the race as a high school sophomore. Since its inception, the race has brought in $55,000 over the last four years, thanks to the contributions of more than 40 sponsors.
In its first year, the race attracted 350 participants and 100 volunteers. The number of participants has been steadily growing each year, reaching over 500 last year.
The race began at 8 a.m. on Chestnut Avenue, across from the Park Center, and ended at Attea Middle School. Participants circled through a residential area and through Gallery Park.
There were more than 400 participants and 100 volunteers for the event.
Vendors set up tables on the lawn near the finish line. Among vendors were Starbucks, RA Sushi, Trader Joe's, Dunkin' Donuts, as well as others. DJ Ken Krause provided music as runners warmed up and later as the crowd waited for their friends and family to cross the finish line.
"It's a nice Father's Day event. We ran it last year. It's a good race," said participant Tom Hoffman, who was running with his son.
The Hoffmans were one of many families participating in this year's race.
Vachee Loughran of Glenview crossed the finish line first, with a time of 17 minutes, one second.
"It's Father's Day. We're celebrating with my father-in-law and the whole family," Loughran said.
The group of participants included a wide range of people with ages of the runners and walkers spanning from 6 to 65 and older.
"I do it to prove something to myself, to prove all my hard work," said Mary Pearson of Glenview, who placed second in the 45-49 women's age group.
The crowd of runners also included volunteers from past years.
"I volunteered the last couple years. This summer I've been in shape, so I decided to run," said Jackie Larkin.
For some, though, the day was more poignant.
"My father used to do these kinds of races," said participant Claudia Morse-Karzen, whose father passed away last year. "We ran the Chicago marathon together."
When the race had finished, awards were given to individuals who placed first, second, and third in their age group, and ribbons were given to every child under 11 who had participated.
Overall winners for the race were Loughran for the men, and Jen Sagat for the women.
Money raised is to go toward a new building for Youth Services. Their new home will be 12,000 square feet and located in The Glen.
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