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If anyone marks the end of winter’s chill and
spring’s fickleness with glee, it’s the capital city’s
walkers and runners. They stream out of the woodwork, infiltrating
Washington and Lincoln parks, bopping to the beat of their iPods and
shaking off the indoor-exercise blues. Many are daytime desk jockeys who crave fresh air and
fun in the sun. Others cherish the proven stress-reliever and an
opportunity for relaxation and mediation. Still others walk and run a few
times a week so they can enjoy their favorite pizza and beer without a
guilty conscience. Whatever the reason, they’re always out there,
and they say that summer is the perfect time for fresh blood to join them.
There are plenty of races in and around Springfield throughout the next few
months, giving newbies the perfect opportunity to meet people, have fun, or
meet fitness goals. For runners ready to test their limits, the first
local race of the summer is the Passavant-Powerade 5K and 10K, beginning at
8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, in Jacksonville. The 5K (3.1 miles) and the 10K
(6.2 miles) are the city’s oldest competitive races. Each gives
runners a chance to tour Jacksonville’s residential areas in an easy
run on a mainly flat course. Many Springfieldians are interested in helping a
cause, and several summer walks and runs are available for people who want
to give and get fit at the same time. The Memorial Regional Burn Center
will host its second annual 5K Run and Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 7, in
Washington Park. The center’s first event raised $6,200, and the
staff hopes that even more people will sign up and contribute this year.
The registration fee is $25. Another worthy cause is the Bob Goldman Scholastic
Challenge, a 5K scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Center Park
near Lake Springfield. Casual runners and sports fans enjoy getting
involved with this race because all of the race fees ($18 per person) go to
high-school running programs designated by the participants. As always, there are two races associated with the
Illinois State Fair. The first is the Carlberg Design Parade Run, a
two-mile trek through the Illinois State Fairgrounds. It starts at 5:30
p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7. Past participants say the conditions are usually
steamy, but it’s also lots of fun to run past thousands of people
waiting for the fair parade to begin. Abe’s Amble, Springfield’s largest and
most popular race, is the second. The annual 10K was the first capital-city
race to host more than 1,000 runners. Even though it’s always hot and
hilly, organizers say it still entertains that many and more today. This
year’s 31st annual 10K run will begin at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17,
near the grandstand at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. For less competitive
racers, there’s also a 2K (1.25 miles) walk/run beginning at the same
time and location. For more information on walking and running in
Springfield and on upcoming race events, go to the Springfield Road Runners
Club’s Web site, www.srrc.net.
Contact Amanda Robert at arobert@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in May 15-21, 2008.
