Above / At 8:15PM Sat., June 4, 2,000 participants hit the pavement, turning another page for literacy programs in the Naperville schools during the 15th annual run, GLOW 5K.
Update, June 8, 2021 / The Nicarico Family is hopeful that this popular run will return on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021. When details regarding registration are set, they will be available here. Thanks for your interest.
Original Post, June 6, 2016 / A gorgeous evening welcomed a group of 2,000 run participants for the sold-out 2016 GLOW 5K, now a run/walk/stroll for reading in its 15th year. Families, teams and individuals of all ages turned out to run or volunteer for reading on June 4, a popular community event that benefits the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund, held at Fifth Avenue Station.
Just prior to the beginning of the run, the Nicarico family presented grants to local schools for literacy projects.
Hundreds of spectators attended the event, lining the running route with applause and cheers.
Click any photo to enlarge.
[shareprints gallery_id=”61037″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]Mike Behr (Bib #5638), age 39, from Aurora had the best time of 17.16.2. Behr was followed by Nick Connelly (Bib # 5840), age 18, from Naperville in second place; and Jonathan Ashley (Bib #5596) age 20, from Naperville in third place.
Jillian Blondell (Bib #9466), age 31, from Naperville came in first for women and 9th overall.
For complete 2016 race results, click here.
Awards will recognize the top overall male and female runner, the Best “GLOW” costume and Best “GLOWING” Team along with cross town rivalry winner for the local schools at all levels.
Results also will be posted/linked at www.nicaricoliteracyfund.org and awards will be available for pick at the Naperville Running Company, 34 W. Jefferson, on Mon., June 6, 2016.
And watch for details of the 2017 GLOW 5K about the same time next year.
A little ‘Run for Reading’ history
Since the event first stepped off from Hill Middle School 14 years ago, the 5K run has traveled from early morning locations at Hill and River Woods Elementary to an evening happening three years ago, now highlighted with live entertainment glowing in the dark, beginning and ending at Fifth Avenue Station.
The brainchild of Mary Kelly and Mary Bazan, the family event originally was known as the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund “Run for Reading.” The 15th annual event continues to celebrate the life of Jeanine Nicarico while supporting literacy, fitness and family.
Tracey Nelson is the current Race Director.
About the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy
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.
Since 1996, the fund has awarded over $350,000 in grants to private and public schools in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204, which includes portions of Bolingbrook, Lisle and Aurora. Additionally, the fund provides annual support to the Jeanine Nicarico DuPage County Children Advocacy Center in Wheaton, IL.
For everything you need to know about the GLOW 5K Run, visit nicaricoliteracyfund.org.