Heat doesn’t keep runners out of Fox Trot

Those who labored through a 5K or 10-mile race during the Elgin Valley Fox Trot Monday might take exception to the “trot” part.

The Memorial Day race, now in its 34th year, featured two races and a 2-mile fun walk on Monday’s hot holiday morning.

Twenty-two-year-old Kyle Brady won the 5K race, clocking in at 15 minutes, 29 seconds. Behind him were Ryan Miller, 21, and Paul Rollet, 26. The top three female 5K runners were Lydia Wong, 22, Rachel Bush, 18, and Nina Olshever, 13.

Nick Hird, 27, won the 10-mile race, clocking in at 53 minutes and three seconds. Emisael Favela, 34, and Joshua Bland, 24, secured spots in the top three.

Amanda Hopper, 26, Alyson Fosnot, 20 and Jennifer Sagat, 29, were the top three female 10-mile runners Monday.

Runners young and old participated in Monday’s race, including 82-year-old Charles Coleman, who ran the 5K, and 4-year-olds Cielo Santiago and Janeth Ortega, who also ran the 5K.

Several members of the Elgin Sharks Track Club participated in the race. which is endorsed by the Chicago Area Runners Association, eliciting cheers of encouragement from onlookers,

In the 10-mile race, 77-year-old Carl Hays was the oldest runner; 14-year-old Matthew Stover was the youngest person to run the 10-mile race.

“I grew up in Elgin so I’ve been doing this race for years,” Ed Hebert said, adding that he likes the race because he gets to run on the streets.

Christopher Rodriguez of Oakwood Hills ran the 10-mile race Monday. “I would do it again,” he said. “There is a lot of support out here, a lot of families here.”

Race planners were hoping for 2,500 participants this year. Although several people said it looked like attendance was higher Monday than previous years, race results show 882 people ran the 5K and 690 people ran the 10-mile. Information on the amount of fun walk participants was not available.

Race funds go toward the Elgin Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, as well as the United Way, Elgin Crisis Center and the YWCA to create opportunities for runners to donate and raise money for local charity groups.