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New half marathon for women finds fitting home in Naperville

Naperville knows a little something about running.

Marathoners having been coming here each fall for several years. It annually plays host to a pair of triathlons. There are almost as many 5Ks as there are restaurants in its busy downtown.

So when organizers from Premier Event Management were looking for a place to stage their newest race, a Women's Half Marathon and 5K, they didn't have to think too hard or long before choosing Naperville.

Which explains why an estimated 2,000 women from roughly two dozen states found themselves gathering early Sunday morning at North Central College to tackle the inaugural race.

Race director Bill Burke already has said the company hopes to make the half-marathon an annual event in Naperville with an eye toward making it even bigger next year. This year's participation surely was bolstered by some of the pricing deals organizers offered: the first 50 women who registered only had to pay a dollar. Registration for next year's race begins in May.

Burke said he could not have been happier with Sunday's ideal weather, with plenty of sunshine, temperatures in the low 50s at the start and a light breeze to keep the runners cool as they traveled across parts of the city.

The race route took runners through eastern Naperville and finally up the Riverwalk path, across one of the wood covered bridges and finally onto the running track at North Central College for the home stretch to the finish line, where they were greeted by supporters.

The races benefitted two Naperville-based nonprofit agencies: Little Friends and 360 Youth Services. Little Friends serves children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. 360 Youth Services offers substance abuse prevention education, counseling and housing to youth and families in need in Naperville and the surrounding area.

The winner of Sunday's race was Julie Favorite of Wheaton, with a time of 1:22:04.

"My ultimate goal for today was to just have fun and I did," said the Wheaton College graduate student, who hadn't run a half marathon in about 11 months had no expectations of winning.

  The inaugural running of the Naperville Women's Half Marathon kicks off Sunday on the campus of North Central College. An estimated 2,000 runners from two dozen states took part. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Jason Sterczynski of Algonquin holds up a funny sign in support of his wife, Laura, and other runners participating Sunday in the inaugural running of the Naperville Women's Half Marathon. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  The inaugural running of the Naperville Women's Half Marathon crosses the Washington Street bridge in downtown Naperville. An estimated 2,000 runners from two dozen states took part in the event Sunday. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  The inaugural running of the Naperville Women's Half Marathon kicks off Sunday on the campus of North Central College in Naperville. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
  Ben and Abby McDonagh of Naperville color in a sign to read "Go Mommy" during the inaugural running Sunday of the Naperville Women's Half Marathon in Naperville. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
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