Geneva race to help support disabled children, adults

Suburban runners, including those with disabilities, are invited to participate in a fundraiser benefiting children and adults with developmental disabilities on Oct. 26 in Geneva.

Registration is open for Marklund's second annual "Run, Walk & Roll" 5K/1-mile race at the organization's adult residential facility, Marklund at Mill Creek, 1S 450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva.

The USATF-certified race includes a wheelchair division, organizers said.

"We invite adults, kids, families and those in assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers and specialized bicycles to join in our second annual Run, Walk & Roll for Marklund," said Stephanie Heinz, race director.

Proceeds will help fund programs and services at Marklund, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The nonprofit organization serves nearly 200 families yearly, housing 117 children and adults with developmental disabilities at residential facilities in Bloomingdale and Geneva. It also operates a resale shop in Wood Dale, a day school for children with disabilities in Bloomingdale, and provides developmental therapy for adults.

"A large part of our program is state funded," said Heather Graves, Marklund's chief development officer. "We have a $16 million budget. That's about a $2 million gap that we need to make up to make sure that we provide the quality of care that we want to (for our clients)."

Last year's inaugural event drew nearly 600 participants, raising about $30,000.

"We'd love to hit 800 (participants), if we can," Graves said. "We are hoping to raise $45,000 this year."

She said the goal of the event was to create a family-friendly fundraiser for people of all abilities at a lower cost.

Marklund partners with students from Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles high schools who volunteer during the race for community service credits, and get their school clubs to participate.

The students put up posters at local businesses promoting the event and drum up interest through social media. The race is sponsored by Dick Pond Athletics in St. Charles and Geneva Running Outfitters, which also help distribute race information to their running communities, Graves said.

Marklund employees and clients themselves participate and help recruit friends and family members to join in the event, she added.

"We've really brought together the community," Graves said.

The 5K wheelchair race starts at 7:55 a.m. followed by the main race at 8 a.m. Families can participate in the 1-mile walk/run with strollers and wagons.

There will be a "Party in the Park" afterward with food vendors, live music and children's activities. Registration fees are $35 for the 5K, and $25 for the 1-mile walk. Participants who register before Oct. 17 are guaranteed a shirt. To register, visit marklund.org/5k.