Naperville symposium helps runners with health, gait

Bring more than 100 runners together in one place and one might expect a race to break out.

Things were a little different Saturday, though, as a company called Athletico sponsored a free runners symposium at North Central College's Merner Field House that focused more on the art of running and staying healthy than it did on actual races.

Organizers expected between 100 and 150 athletes to attend the five-hour event that provided information and instruction on things such as running biomechanics, nutrition, injury prevention and even tips on the proper footwear.

In addition, there were lectures by doctors and physical therapists from the Naperville area and even the chance for runners to use a treadmill and receive a brief video analysis to determine any glaring problems with their gait.

Luke Greenwell, who's involved in Athletico's physical therapy and endurance programs in Naperville, said he came up with the idea for the symposium last fall to try to help the increasing number of runners and endurance athletes prevent injuries associated with their sports.

He spoke at Saturday's event about gait-retraining techniques that can help runners correct their strides to help avoid repetitive stress and overuse injuries. "There are some easy techniques to do that," he said.

Founded in 1991, Athletico offers specialty rehabilitation, outreach and fitness services at facilities in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.