Aurora outlet mall new site for food pantry 5K
The only time running and shopping usually make a good combination is late Thanksgiving night or early on Black Friday, when deal-hunters dash madly for discounts.
That's what makes the new venue for the seventh annual 2nd 2 None 5K so uncommon.
Instead of in downtown Aurora or at Phillips Park, the race will take place at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 17, at Chicago Premium Outlets, where participants will get to run through the paths of the massive outdoor mall.
Runners will be armed with chip timing devices to capture their finish time, not with shopping bags to swing at their competitors. And they'll be dashing to support the good cause of summer food for low-income kids, not selfishly sprinting for a steal of a deal.
"People like the fact that their run is really helping children and making sure kids don't have to go hungry," said Marilyn Weisner, executive director of the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.
The recently expanded outlet mall will be what Weisner called an "exciting location" for the 3.1-mile race, which benefits the Food for Thought summer meal program offered by the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry in partnership with Communities in Schools.
Phil Whitsel, area manager at Chicago Premium Outlets, said the mall is "delighted" to partner with the two nonprofits to offer its space as a race venue for the first time.
"We have an opportunity to give back to the community in a unique way," Whitsel said about the mall, which recently finished a $110 million expansion that added 250,000 square feet of shopping space, a feature pond and 2,200 parking spots. "We're excited that our expanded center can create a sense of community and bring together our neighbors for such a great cause."
The Food for Thought program gave an extra boost of food to 850 families - totaling roughly 2,400 people - last year during the months when students on free- and reduced-lunch services through school aren't able to get their meals.
"We try to make sure that kids over the summer have the food they need," Weisner said. "That they're not going without just because the school meals are not available."
Families from each school in East Aurora District 131 and West Aurora District 129 are assigned one Saturday during the summer when they're able to visit the pantry at 1110 Jericho Road to pick up a food donation.
While the Food for Thought program only offers one pickup for each family, Weisner said those who visit are able to learn how to get ongoing help from the pantry if they need it.
"We want to make sure our kids are well-fed over the summer and they're back to school ready to go," she said.
In past years, the race has raised $15,000 to $20,000 to support the summer food program and a back-to-school fair that this year is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6.
Organizers hope the race can grow at its new location, and they'll be offering race-day registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. to encourage more runners to come out. The race also could have better weather, after moving from early April to mid-July. Online registration for $35 at signmeup.com/114815 will close a couple of days before the race.
Then, come Sunday, the next batch of 2nd 2 None runners can chug through the 5K at 8 a.m. and do some shopping when the mall opens a couple of hours later at 10.
Each participant - race organizers expect at least 350 - will receive a goody bag filled with coupons from mall retailers, along with a performance tech shirt. Many of those stores will have booths set up to offer other deals and cheer on runners, Weisner said.
If you go
What: 2nd 2 None 5K run and Kids Dash
When: 8 a.m. Sunday, July 17
Where: Chicago Premium Outlets, 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd (northeast corner of I-88 and Farnsworth Road), Aurora
Who: Benefits the Food for Thought Program of the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Communities in Schools
Cost: $35 for adults; $20 for youths 18 and younger; $10 for kids 9 and younger in the Kids Dash
Info: <a href="https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/114815">signmeup.com/114815</a>