The race continued past the historical society museum, the Albright Theatre, Al’s Pizza, The Towne Tap, Voegtle’s, Phoenix Auto Body, Fontana’s, Phillip 66 and onto the new permeable pavers of Warrenville Rd., passing the Bollweg buildings and St. Irene’s.
The last mile passed through the heart of old Warrenville, going by the Musselman site, the library, the gazebo, city hall, the memorial, the Community Building, police department and Rec Center to the finish line.
All along the course, participants were greeted by encouraging residents and volunteers from the police department, ESDA, the local churches, cub scouts, police explorers, rec center volunteers and Village Chronicles staff. Even an alderman and our mayor were at work, calling out the times at the two-mile mark.
There is something about a hometown race that brings the best out in people. I chose to race and tried to do my very best. I had a good day, and although I finished far behind the winners, I finished early enough to see most of the 250-plus participants in the home stretch. I saw some wonderful things—friends running together, and fathers and daughters running side by side, a Rec Center trainer coaching her students through their first race.
Quinn Farley (one of the fastest runners around) was helping his younger brother’s friend get a PR (personal record). A grandmother babysat her grandchildren so her daughter could run. A brother-in-law from out of town joined in. The Tomazin family (minus one) all ran. It was a fun run.
Finishing in the rain was made memorable when Noelle Shallcross, still recovering from chemo and accompanied by a police escort, the mayor and her two friends, Janet and Sydney, crossed the finish line of her first 5k—her first time on the Prairie Path. It was quite a sight.
The only troubling comment I heard came from Colin Wilke who claimed he ran so slow he got beat to the finish line by a squirrel!
Zerihun Mueller and Nicole Farr, both from Warrenville, carried off giant trophies for their first-place finishes in the overall men and women’s divisions. Jim Spencer and Matthew
Rurka placed second and third in the men’s overall, while Suzette Papadakis and Sadie Briggs captured the runner-up and third- place positions in the women’s overall.
Complete race results are posted at www.ghgtiming.com. Top finishers in their respective age groups included: Female (13 and under) Sara Atkins, Holly Eyrich, Harli Thompson; (15-19) Barbie Kledzik, Ariel Leonard, Meaghan Irring; (20-29) Nicole Farr, Kelly Hendricks, Francis Skorski; (30-39) Suzette Papadikis, Sadie Briggs, Amy Beert; (40-49) Star Dieter, Lisa Bastian, Valerie Kane; (50 and over) Jean Perle, Cynthia Woods, Sue Trapp.
Male (14 and under) Zerihun Mueller, Daryle Worley, Brendan O’Connor; (15- 19) Jim Spencer, Matthew Rurka, Matthew Denny; (20-29) Kurt Muth, Cary King, Alan Hackert; (30-39) John Jiva, Chad Beert, Lucas Wellington; (40-49) Rich Hawkins, Patrick Joechum, Scott Bastian; (50 and over) Dwight Sherman, Bob Ellis, Tom Rowe.
The awards ceremony and raffle that followed in the Rec Center gym were well attended. Numerous local merchants gave away gift certificates and prizes.
Raffle prizes and donations were contributed by ATI, Bodywork by Shellie, Candlewood Suites, Captured by Sheila, Corner Bakery, Dick Pond’s, Dr. Russell Tripp, Eagle Academy, Exploring Flooring, Frank Novotny, Go Roma, Gorski Chiropractic, Health Source, Heidi’s Salon, Hometown Painting, H.T. Tech Carpet Cleaning, Max & Erma’s, McDonald’s, Naperville Running Co., Pot Belly, Red Robin, Rock Bottom, Rosati’s, Spring Hills Suite, Starbuck’s, Touched by Jules, and Warrenville Pancake House.
Sponsors of the event included Lions Club, MB Bank, Pezza Landscape, Quality Life Center, Spartan Stone and Central Du- Page Hospital.
Whether a winner, also-ran, volunteer, spectator, or sponsor, a good time was had by all. Even the folks from nearby communities, who came to run because they heard it was a good local event, were impressed by the Prairie Path and the friendly environment.
Well done Warrenville!
