The Volition Run had its first annual run in Chicago on June 6th and it was a fantastic first year run race. It was started by Major Dan Rooney with a call to a unique mission. He was on a plane and on his plane ride he had to experience war not just from his own personal experience but from a family whose son had been killed on tour in Afghanistan. The soldier's twin brother, the reminder of his family and the young son were on board. After witnessing this event Dan knew he had a mission in life to create an organization called the Folds of Honor which gives scholarships to children and spouses of deceased and disabled soldiers in war for college. Over the span of just 7 years they have raised funds to send 8000 scholarships to children and spouses to college that might not have been able to go in all of our fifty states. This need was even more realized when he discovered that 9 out of 10 students receive no financial aid to go to college from our government and that 1.5 million solders have been killed or disabled in our recent conquest of Iraq and Afghanistan alone.

As a fighter pilot who is still active in the military he started not only this mission but also started a 5K and a Half Marathon supporting this effort.

I had the privilege this year to serve as one of the pacers in the Chicago area. It was a great day with the race starting off in Avery Field in Grant Park in Chicago and focusing on a route on the Lakefront. The course is a medium challenge with both flat, hills, and various weather conditions being near the Lakefront. The race started off on time and the volunteers were plentiful on the aid stations. Many races have their issues in their first year but this one went fantastic. Other locations of this race this year and next include: Orlando and Pensacola Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, North Carolina and Boise Idaho.

Only 1% of our population serves to protect the other 99% of our population. I am honored to yesterday have served and helped runners giving to this mission.

For more information please contact.

http://www.volitionamerica.com/

This was my third year representing my hometown for special Olympics and running/walking with the Oak Forest Police doing the torch run. Our leg is pretty small about 2 to 3 miles and we run from 147th St. to City Hall and then the torch goes up to 159th where it is greeted by the Orland Park Police. I have done it with Tinley, Palos Heights but personally I like Oak Forest the best. Every police district has been friendly and allowed me to join their group but being my hometown it is particularly special to me. This year I had the double honor to walk with a former special Olympics participant who has three members of his family in the police. As always it is an honor and special feeling you get as you run or walk on the streets of Cicero and represent the police by holding the torch or this year walking with a VIP helping spread the love of the law and Special Olympics. According to the website:

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the single largest year-round fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® has raised nearly $28 million over 27 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. View the 2014 Law Enforcement Torch Run® brochure.

Approximately 3,000 officers representing every branch of law enforcement across the state from local police officers to FBI agents will carry the Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles, running through thousands of Illinois communities via 23 different legs (routes) to its final destination – the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in June in Normal. View list of participating agencies and Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run® Committee members.

So if you are looking for a physical challenge that will benefit many athletes of the present and future consider donating, walking and sponsoring the Torch Run.

I had the opportunity to coordinate the Chicago 13.1 Back of the Pack. We were supposed to run a 16 minute mile for 13.1 miles. It was neat to have end of the race running pacers from the local area and also from states like Indiana, Missouri and even someone from Colorado. We got there early to monitor the various starts and then we were to fall back and run with the people who were falling behind. There were lots of people who really depended on our encouragement.

It was a beautiful day with a Lakefront start and a finish near Lakeshore East Park. The day started out cloudy and in the 60s with a bit of wind by the Lakefront. We did not see sun until about mile 8. One of the perks of the race was the water stops. They really had an ample supply about every 1.5 to 2 miles. They also had lots of pota-potties. Parking was ample at the various buildings and they served a breakfast afterwards.

Most of all despite the stress of coordinating the race it was neat to see so many people decide to run and that I could trust to show up and give support. Many of the runners were much faster than the pace and to see them sacrifice made me feel proud of my friends.

Would I coordinate the race again. Probably. Got to love Chicago in the springtime!

For the last two years I have had the opportunity to do the Ridge Run after a few years hiatus. And the last two years I have done the challenge where you run the 10K and then the 5K. The races are spread fairly apart but for the slower runners such as myself that is a bit of a challenge. The race is held in the south part of Chicago and it always amazes me how a neighborhood so close to me can be so different with their elegant houses, old town businesses, and quaint buildings.

More than 3,500 athletes from around Chicagoland gather in Beverly/Morgan Park on Memorial Day to compete in the annual Ridge Run. The 10K run, 5K run/walk and Youth Mile are hosted by the Beverly Area Planning Association with Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park the presenting sponsor of the race.

With cash prizes awarded to the top finishers, the Ridge Run is one of Chicago’s favorite neighborhood races, attracting elite runners as well as neighborhood families. Start times are 8 a.m. for the 10K run, and 9:30 a.m. for the 5K run/walk. The Ridge Run’s races start and finish at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr., Chicago.

As a whole it is a fantastic race with plenty of crowd support from the locals, lots of water and Gatorade on the course and a course that challenges with hills and curves. The other part of the race is the porta potties and bathrooms at the start. There is plenty of them and the price for the 10K is 40 dollars and 5K is 35 dollars . For the challenge both races are only 60 dollars. That is quite a deal because not only do you get two shirts but you also get a medal at the end.

My only recommendation is that if you are looking at doing the race for time get up in the front especially at the 5K. Unfortunately people who walk or go slow do not go to the side and walk more than 2 people across.

So if you are looking for a great race to add to your neighborhood festivities check out the Ridge Run. You will be glad you did. For more information about next years race check out.

Ridge Run http://www.bapa.org/ridgerun/index.html

I remember when this race was only a dream. I was picking up a pair of running shoes and Mel Diab the owner had put up a sign talking about having a half marathon in Palos Heights IL. It was a dream that only about a year later was recognized and one of my favorite races that I do every year.

It is an out and back course that is on Rt. 83 and follows along from Palos all the way to Lemont and back. There is both a flat and a bit of a hill course with an forests on both the left and right sides of the road. The course is completely blocked off from traffic and there are plenty of side streets that easily allow volunteers, family members having well wishes on the course to various runners.

Because the race was created by Mel and other interested parties that are seasoned runners it was even in the first year a huge success. Over the years it has continued to improve with more potta potties, more water stops and more cheering from people along the course.

Because it is an out and back course it allows you to not only see the elites coming back also lets you cheer on both your faster friends and those who need a hand or high five as you are returning on the course.

I like the improvements even at the finish as well. A few years ago they extended the amount of bathrooms with this year having more wheelchair sized ones that allow runners to easily change after or before the race.

They have pacers who are local celebrity runners and I heard countless stories about how they enjoyed helping others finish their race and felt so empowered helping people along the way.

The packet pick up is fantastic with both a Saturday pick up that extends from 9-3 and then the day of the race. Parking in plentiful and because it is a local event it is definitely a fan favorite for many local running groups.

It is also a place that elites can participate with race money. Mel also donates to the American Cancer Society and a local special needs facility. SSWRA. This is also the first year they had a wheelchair runner participate and they accommodated that runner with a faster start and also I noticed someone who was doing the 10K with crutches on both sides with a guide.

I love this race because not only is a great race for the beginner but also for the advanced athlete. I will be blogging about some of the improvements Mel will add to the race. One he mentioned was opening up the 10K to more people.

So if you are looking for a fantastic way to get out of the hibernation and get training you should investigate the First Midwest Half and 10K next year.