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Runners get ready for 39th annual Elgin Valley Fox Trot

Elgin residents Nancy and Dan Roder are no strangers to the upcoming Elgin Valley Fox Trot, a popular race that will take place on Saturday, May 28, at the intersection of Kimball Street and Douglas Avenue in Elgin.

Last year, Nancy placed second in her age division and her husband, Dan, has a handful of trophies on display in their basement bar from close to two decades of competing in the race.

“We try to gear up for each race we do and the Fox Trot is always the first of the year for us,” said Dan Roder. “It's a great race and it really showcases all the nice historic homes and the big churches.”

The challenging course, peppered with mature trees and a fair amount of hills, may be one of the most breathtaking — in more ways than one — in the Fox Valley. Thankfully, several water stations will be available along the route, manned by volunteers from local churches, a nonprofit organization and neighborhood associations. Chipped timing will be provided by Big River Race Management.

“It's my hometown race which is always nice,” said Nancy Roder, adding that she and Dan are competing in the 10K, 55-59 age division. “It's so beautiful and it's a little bit challenging.”

The race meanders through Lords Park Pavilion and several historic neighborhoods. At the end of the 5K and 10K runs and 2-Mile Walk for a Cause which raises funds for not-for-profit organizations, a post party will deliver on fun with music, free beer for 21 and older runners, and free food.

“It's always nice to hang around other runners,” Nancy Roder said. “We're very excited that they're going to be offering hot dogs this year which is a nice little added bonus.”

Live music will be provided by Centerfold, a local band whose drummer, Eric Wedow, will run in the race.

“He'll actually run the event and then jump up on set,” said Barb Keselica, special events and community engagement manager for the city of Elgin.

This year marks the 39th for the Fox Trot, which draws between 1,500 to 2,000 runners and raises about $8,000 for Elgin nonprofit organizations. Participants who register for the 2-Mile Walk for a Cause get to decide which Elgin nonprofit organization they'd like to support from a list.

“Out of the $12 registration fee for walkers, $8 goes to the nonprofit,” Keselica said, adding that the other $4 covers the city's T-shirt costs. “Over the last five years, we've gotten a lot of our nonprofits involved to really make it feel like it's a community event.”

In addition, teams of 50 walkers will receive an extra $500 for their desired nonprofit organization while 100 walkers receive $1,000.

“They're helping us market the event so we're using our marketing money toward giving them goals,” Keselica said.

For many runners, the Fox Trot is the kickoff race of the season.

“From a traditional standpoint, this is something that people look forward to every year,” Keselica said.

While the number of registered participants for the race is a little low, it's expected to rise the week of and day of the race. Turnout, as with any Chicago-area spring race, is going to be dependent on the weather.

“I've been here for 10 years now and we had one year where a storm hit right before and another year where a storm hit right after,” Keselica said.

The top three finishers in each age category and overall male and female winners will be awarded trophies at the post party where runners and walkers can enjoy donated bagels from Big Apple Bagels and bananas provided by the local Wal-Mart.

Dan Roder said he applauds Keselica for her creativity.

“She's done a great job of creating a new T-shirt design every year and expanding the post-race party with live music,” he said. “It's a great race.”

After the race, showers will be available in The Centre, but participants need to provide their own towels. For sore muscles, Harper College School of Massage Therapy will be giving massages and stretching assistance to the runners. Meanwhile, Andersen's Engraving will be selling engraved souvenir medals for $10.

Rollerblades, strollers, dogs, bikes and skateboards will not be allowed on the course. Walkers are not allowed in the 5K/10K races.

Start times are 7:30 a.m./10K; 7:45 a.m./5K; and 7:55 a.m./2-Mile Walk for a Cause. Registration fees through May 25 are $45/10K; $35/5K; and $12/person/walk or $40 for a group of four. In-person registration on May 27 and 28 is $55/10K; $40/5K; and $12/person/walk or $40 for a group of four.

Bib and T-shirt pickup will be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 27, and 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at The Centre of Elgin's field house, 100 Symphony Way.

Parking locations for the race are The Centre parking garage at the southwest corner of Symphony Way and Douglas Avenue; Spring Street garage at the southeast corner of Spring Street and Highland Avenue; and Fulton Street garage, southeast of the Fulton and Spring streets intersection.

For details about the race, including course maps, visit cityofelgin.org/foxtrot.

  An Athletic Physical Therapy employee helps ease the sore muscles of a runner after last year's Fox Trot race in Elgin. Barbara Vitello/bvitello@dailyherald.com
  Members of the St. Edward High School football team filled water cups and passed them out to runners during the 38th annual Elgin Valley Fox Trot. Barbara Vitello/bvitello@dailyherald.com
  Trophies are awarded to the top finishers in the Elgin Valley Fox Trot. Barbara Vitello/bvitello@dailyherald.com

If you go

What: 39th annual Elgin Valley Fox Trot, featuring 10K and 5K races and a 2-mile Walk for a Cause

When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 28

Where: Starts and ends at intersection of Kimball Street and Douglas Avenue in downtown Elgin

Cost: Registration fees range from $12 to $55.

Included: A T-shirt and a post-race party featuring live music and a free beer for runners 21 and older

Details: <a href="http://cityofelgin.org/index.aspx?nid=1676">cityofelgin.org/foxtrot</a>

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