UPDATE Oct. 28, 2016, from 204 E-News / We’ve never seen anything like it. Last Sunday, we watched 255 Team IPEF runners participate in the Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon. And on Saturday, 385 of our students put on their Team IPEF shirts and ran the first-ever Naperville Kids Marathon. When they joined Team IPEF, each runner made a fundraising commitment for our schools and the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. They went above and beyond to make a difference. Collectively, they raised more than $173,000. This was the largest fundraising campaign in the 29 year history of the IPEF.
We want to extend our gratitude not only to the runners, but to all those who supported them. Parents, students, and staff positioned themselves at 18 Team IPEF Spirit Squads along the course. Each Spirit Squad had a seemingly endless amount of enthusiasm to encourage our runners. We’ve heard so many comments about how their cheering gave our runners a boost and made this a race they will never forget.
You can see all the excitement at Team IPEF video.
Thank you again to all those who ran, donated, or came out on race day. It was your support that made this a record breaking effort that has positively impacted our entire community.
Sincerely,
Karen Sullivan, Superintendent
Kent Duncan, IPEF Chairman
POST Oct. 23, 2016 / Sponsored by Edward-Elmhurst Health, the Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon was greeted on Sun., Oct. 23, with glorious sunshine, brilliant autumn colors and participants from Naperville and beyond.
Cow bells, thump-thump-thumping spirited music, water stations with volunteers, encouraging messages on signs and cheers from spectators around every corner motivated runners as they meandered throughout this thriving community. Certainly the city’s rich history, attractive landmarks and beautiful neighborhoods created ambiance along the way as promised. And homes decked out for Halloween and the upcoming election added some frightening humor along the 26.2-mile and 13.1-mile routes.
One runner with New York Marathon experience was overheard comparing the Naperville route to his favorite and recent run in the five boroughs of New York City.
Event organizers boast that runners – from beginners to 2017 Boston Marathon hopeful qualifiers – “delight in the kinetic atmosphere and well-managed course.”
PHOTO GALLERY-Naperville Marathon / Here’s a small sampling of runners taken along West Street, 9 & 10-mile marks on Mill Street and other neighborhood locations between 8:30AM and 10AM. The photos at the finish line were snapped between 12:30PM and 1PM. (Click any photo to enlarge.)
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Stay tuned for all race results to be posted online. Meanwhile, first place medals go to full marathon winners Andrew Kaehr, of Chicago, with a time of 2:34:39 for the men; and Sarah Mahaney, of Montgomery, with a time of 3:01:27 for the women.
In the 13.1-mile half marathon, Michael Lucchesi, of Bolingbrook, won with a time of 1:15:52 and Alyssa Schneider, of Bartlett, followed with a time of 1:16:50.
Thanks to some 1,000 volunteers and the Naperville Police Department for all efforts to manage the marathon and to keep traffic moving as much as possible with road closures and other obstacles.
The Naperville Marathon also has grown to be a successful fundraiser for local charities, especially the education foundations in School Districts 203 and 204.
Near the end by the finish line, it’s safe to say the joyful praise of runners and thoughts of the emcee began turning toward the National League Pennant-winning Chicago Cubs and the World Series that begins in Cleveland against the American League Pennant-winning Cleveland Indians on Tues., Oct. 25.
Now take time to enjoy the changing colors and falling leaves. Week two of the city’s leaf collection continues on Monday.
Thanks, too, for shopping, dining and banking locally to support Naperville’s business community.
