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With mayor's help, Salute Inc. race raises $26,000

Salute Inc. raised $26,000 over Memorial Day weekend - including $4,000 through a challenge issued by Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and local businesses - during the nonprofit's 5K and 10K races.

Hayes pledged to donate $5 for every runner who beat him in the 5K race, and more than two dozen businesses jumped on board to match the mayor's donation. The effort was spurred by Picket Fence Realty owners Paul and Sue Duchek.

In all, 31 of about 400 race entrants beat Hayes, a 61-year-old avid runner, who joked about adding a caveat that runners had to be over 40 years old.

The race, held Sunday, May 27, with temperatures in the 90s, returned to Arlington Heights after a one-year hiatus due to scheduling difficulties. The Palatine-based nonprofit, which provides temporary financial assistance to injured military service members, veterans and their families, held the first race in 2003.

Jack Fredian, 18, of Arlington Heights was the winner in the 5K. Ben Carlson of Delaware, Ohio, won the 10K. In the adaptive athletes category, Amanda Kloepfer of Rockford won the 5K and Kevin Hamilton of Arlington Heights won the 10K.

Can you outrun Arlington Heights' mayor?

The Salute Inc. Memorial Day Weekend 5K/10K brought about 750 participants to the streets of Arlington Heights despite high temperatures in the 90s. Courtesy of Salute Inc.
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