Hundreds expected for Lisle's rare late afternoon run
A fall palette of harvest gold, pumpkin orange and radiant scarlet comes alive in October. The season signals several mainstays on the Lisle event calendar.
Individuals and families alike will want to tie on their sport shoes for the fourth annual Scarecrow Scramble starting with 4 p.m. registration on Saturday, Oct. 18.
The unusual evening time for a 5K run and walk forewarns this is no ordinary dash to the finish line. Picture an affable scarecrow, a smattering of pirates and a dozen witches running the course as twilight lingers in the air.
With a hayride, bonfire, DJ and food provided by Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, this run/walk is more festive than aggressive - fun balanced with fitness.
Come in costume and you might win a prize for being one of the three top females or males to participate. Past winners included a family connected as a series of clouds and a Dr. Seuss pair as Thing One and Thing Two. Costume judging takes place at 5 p.m.
Organizers expect roughly 400 participants. The start location is scenic Lisle Community Park, between Route 53 and Yackley Avenue on Short Street. Registration and packet pickup begin at 4 p.m. on race day at Lisle High School, adjoining the park.
Jessica Alexenko, who designed the race's scarecrow logo and is in public relations with the Lisle Park District, calls the event "awesome."
"We are doing all the same things that make our race so popular," said race director Kim Brondyke. "We look forward to seeing runners and their families out for a fun night."
The USATF-certified course winds through a somewhat hilly terrain on paved paths lit by hundreds of luminarias.
On the agenda at 5:30 p.m. is a 50-yard Tot Dash down a football field for ages 3 to 6. The Youth Run, at 5:45 p.m. for ages 7 to 11, is a half-mile loop around the north side of Community Park. The 5K Run/Walk steps off at 6:30 p.m. in age increments ranging from 9 and under to 70 and over. Fees are $25 with advance registration for the run/walk, $20 for the Youth Run, $8 for Tot Dash. On race day, fees increase by $5 except for the Tot Dash, which remains the same.
The first 300 registrants will receive a T-shirt. The Lisle Partners for Parks and the Lisle Community Character Alliance share proceeds.
Register in advance at the Lisle Park District Community Center or online at lislepartnersforparks.org. Preregistration closes Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Members of the Lisle Community Character Alliance also manage the observance of Red Ribbon Week in the village. From Oct. 18 to 26, the national drug-prevention campaign raises awareness and promotes drug-free messages. Coincidently the week is also national Character Counts Week.
The U.S. Congress initiated Red Ribbon Week in 1988 to honor Federal Agent Enrique Camarera, who died at the hands of drug traffickers while fighting illegal drugs entering the states. Twenty years later, the observance also honors thousands of enforcement personnel who fight to stop the endemic use of illegal drugs. Red ribbons are a reminder that if one person is involved, everyone is affected.
The village of Lisle is committed to drug prevention and education. Its long-standing In-Touch committee was formed to encourage residents to make healthy drug-free choices. Last year, members joined LCCA as a self-directed committee with a commonality of goals both groups share.
The 10th annual Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest is open to all Lisle third- to eighth-grade students. Students may design a small poster around any of the Character Counts or Red Ribbon messages. Roughly 100 posters are entered each year. Previous submissions have included "Drugs are Harmful" to "Pillar Steps to Success."
The poster deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 15. Posters may be turned in to school art teachers or school office. Judges will select 18 winners - three per grade. First-prize winners receive $25, second $15 and third $10.
Local merchants will display winning posters in their store windows. Shoppers are encouraged to view posters with their children and, as a family, discuss the important messages.
To put the message of Red Ribbon Week in the hands of every student, the committee will distribute at local schools a popular pencil that changes colors when held.
In Lisle, Character Counts is a partnership of community, school and government volunteers who advocate the importance of good character. Participants can be anyone who wants to encourage the six pillars of good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
October would not be complete without the Lisle Park District's traditional Halloween Haunted Dungeon, open 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23-25 and 29-31 with a $7 admission.
Each year the cooperative effort of park employees and aquatic/fitness supervisor Jennifer Porrevecchio provides spine-chilling thrills to an estimated 1,000 patrons. Parental discretion is advised.
"This house is usually suitable for middle school and older, but we have people of all ages who get too scared and ask to leave before they finish," Porrevecchio said.
Check out lisleparkdistrict.org for details.
For a tranquil autumn encounter, the Morton Arboretum continues its Fall Festival until Oct. 26. Weekly updates of prevalent colors on its 1,700 acres and further details are found at mortonarb.org. Take a tram tour, bike or stroll through this spectacular setting while contemplating how rich in diversity October is in Lisle.
• Joan Broz writes about Lisle on Mondays in Neighbor. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.