Familiar faces run together at Wheaton race
Some of them you've followed as they've run for office in Wheaton. Others you might have run across at a school board meeting. Beyond them are names that have just run into your home through newspaper headlines.
On Saturday, those people were just plain running.
The annual Run for the Animals during the Cream of Wheaton festival featured several well-known Wheaton residents displaying a talent other than the ones you already know about.
For instance, Kendall Ciesemier finished the 5k with her father, Mike, in about 30 minutes, 31 seconds. Ciesemier, now a Wheaton North High School student, was named a Chicagoan of the Year in 2007 by Chicago Magazine. That article and several in the Daily Herald highlighted Ciesemier's efforts at overcoming liver problems and founding Kids Caring 4 Kids, a nonprofit that's raised thousands of dollars for AIDS orphans in Africa.
Likewise, Daily Herald Leadership Team member Ann Fefferman posted a time of 19:52, clinching the 41st slot in a run that featured more than 1,200 runners.
But perhaps the most controversial finish came in the form of Wheaton city council hopeful Todd Scalzo. Scalzo planned to run the 5k with about 30 supporters, then give a short speech announcing is candidacy for next April.
However, Scalzo's time was not listed on the results sheet. By his own estimate, he completed the 5k in about 28 minutes.
"I was just hoping not to break both ankles and be euthanized on the spot," Scalzo joked. "But I did complete the race. And I know I was ahead of (Wheaton City Councilman) John Prendiville."
Indeed, most of the Prendiville family ran the race. Councilman Prendiville logged a time of 40:15, but was also running with his 8-year-old daughter, Zoe.
"I was just trying to keep up with her," Prendiville said.
"I don't usually do distance running. Hockey is more my thing. But it was a great event."
Prendiville's wife, Georgia, logged a time of 28:45, while his 12-year-old daughter, Elaine, clocked in just behind her at 30:55.
That made Councilman Howard Levine the top athlete in the race in terms of local politics.
Levine, at age 47 and in only his third 5k, logged a time of 26:38. That's an average of 8:35 per mile, well under the 10-minute mile health standard.
"I hate running, but I'm getting better at it," Levine said of his performance. "I like to start in the back so I have the psychological advantage of passing people."
Levine, with some good-natured ribbing, pointed out that he passed John Prendiville early in the race.
"But I guess he did have his daughter with him," Levine joked. "Still, this is my best result so far."
As for the true winners, 25-year-old Andy Enright of Naperville won the 10k race with a time of 34:14. That's an average of 5:31 per mile. Kyle Brady, a 19-year-old from Wheaton, won the 5k with a time of 15:19. That's an average of 4:56 per mile.