Above / 2014 Winners! First, second and third: Carlton Folster, 7768; Ben Becker, 7437; and Jonathan Ashley, 7466
Update, April 18, 2016 / G.L.O.W. 5K Run for Reading is set for 8:15PM Sat., June 4, 2016, at Fifth Avenue Station. Advance online registration is now open at nicaricoliteracyfund.org and recommended.  In 2015, the event sold out.
Update June 6, 2015 / NCHS Coach Grant Baganz was first over the finish line with a time of 17:40 in the 2015 G.L.O.W. 5K Run for Reading.
Awards will be announced and presented for the following categories:
- Overall Male and Female
- Most Glowed Out Individual
- Most Glowed Out Team/Group (max of 10 individuals)
- Crosstown High School
- Crosstown Junior High Winner
Race results for the 2015 G.L.O.W. 5K Run are posted at http://itsracetime.com/Results.aspx?ID=1182.
The sold-out event attracted 2,000 participants of all ages who assembled way behind the start line near Fifth Avenue Station.
Congratulations to all participants. Celebrate safely.
Update June 5, 2015 /Â The 2015Â G.L.O.W. 5K Run is set to begin at 8:15PM Sat., June 6.
Online registration is now closed and sold out at nicaricoliteracyfund.org.
Spectators are welcome to cheer on the participants starting at Fifth Avenue Station, all along 5th Avenue and Plank Road and back again where everybody can celebrate safely glowing in the dark.
More than 1,700 runners were attracted to the G.L.O.W. 5K Run in 2014.
The event is the 14th Annual Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund Run for Reading, a 5K family run/walk to support literacy, fitness and family, now winding along 5th Avenue/Plank Road in Naperville.
Since the event first stepped off from Hill Middle School 13 years ago, the 5K run has traveled from early morning hours to an evening happening, highlighted with live entertainment glowing in the dark at Fifth Avenue Station.
Music will be performed by Bert’s Revenge.
All proceeds will go to the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy to acquire and distribute resources that provide enriched literacy opportunities for learners within the Naperville community.
Posted June 7, 2014 / Â The 2014Â G.L.O.W. 5K Run for Reading welcomed some 1,700 participants, a record number of runners, according to Pat Nicarico. Nicarico and her husband, Tom, who stood along the sidelines giving interviews and greeting longtime friends with encouraging words of gratitude for all the support from the community.
For the second time, the annual 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy was held just after dark at Fifth Avenue Station. This year it took more than three minutes for all the participants to cross the start line, aglow with large inflatable arches. And as has been tradition for more than a decade, Mayor George Pradel was at the finish line, congratulating every runner and directing them to the water station.
Tom Nicarico, Pat Nicario and Dave Savini served as announcers with gratitude along the run route near the finish line by Fifth Avenue Station.
Just prior to the step off at 8:15PM, Fifth Avenue appeared to be a sea of florescent yellow as participants lined up in anticipation of running, walking or being pushed in strollers along the 5K route near Fifth Avenue Station. Many teams of runners sparkled with glistening accents to highlight the fun aspect of the glow-in-the-dark charity event to benefit the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy.
Participants of all ages stepped over the start line on the way to finish the G.L.O.W. 5K.
And wouldn’t you know? The first three of 1,700 runners finished within seconds of 17 minutes. Congratulations to Carlton Folster (7768) came in first with a time of 17:03.4, followed in second place by Ben Becker (7437) with 17:04.2 and third place, Jonathan Ashley (7466) with 17:27.2.
Complete 2014 race results for the 13th annual Run for Reading 5K are available at http://itsracetime.com/Results.aspx?ID=880.
Posted June 5, 2014 /  Participants in the 13th Annual Run/Walk can pick up race packets and/or register from noon to 8PM Thurs., June 5, at Naperville Running Company in downtown Naperville.
Registration also is slated 4-8PM Fri., June 6, at Fifth Avenue Station; and from 8AM-Noon and 6-7:30PM Sat., June 7, just before the race steps off at 8:15PM Sat., June 7.
The registration fee is $40.
Note that bicycles, in-line skates, other wheeled vehicles (except for wheel chairs) and dogs are not allowed. Walkers with strollers are welcomed.
Posted May 12, 2014 / The 13th Annual 5K Run/Walk for the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy is slated to begin at 8:15PM Sat., June 7.
After eleven years as a Sunday morning run, last year the annual fun-filled family event illuminated a spot in the evening to start the run from Fifth Avenue Station. The 2014 G.L.O.W. 5K Run/Walk for Reading will return to the historic setting with a slightly adjusted route to light up awareness for literacy while raising funds for grants to be given to local schools. Prizes will be awarded to the most glowing costumed runners. Tracey Nelson serves a race director.
According to Pat Nicarico, the 5K Run/Walk is the main fundraiser for the literacy fund. Support for the fund and the run has been wide spread throughout the community since Run for Reading was first conceived by Mary Bazan and Mary Kelly, back when it began and ended at Hill Middle School.
“This year we awarded $45,000 in grants to Naperville schools, including All Saints Academy, Little Friends/Krejci Academy and the Born to Read Program at Edward Hospital,” said Nicarico recently.
Since 1996, the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, has been dedicated to enhancing literacy for local students and community. The Fund has awarded over $200,000 in grants to private and public schools in Naperville Districts 203 and 204, which includes portions of Bolingbrook, Lisle, Plainfield and Aurora.
For details about sponsorships or a map of the designated route for the 2014 G.L.O.W. 5K Run/Walk, visit www.nicaricoliteracyfund.org.
RELATED LISTING: 2015 Naperville Runs, Walks & Bike Rides / Note registration began May 1, 2015,  for the Noon Lions Club Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day.
