SkirtChaser 5K to support Marklund
The SkirtChaser series is well-known throughout the country, but this year is the first-ever SkirtChaser 5K to support a charity - Marklund. It will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13.
Organized by SkirtSports and Marklund, the race starts and ends at Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale.
Marklund provides compassionate care and services to infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities. Marklund is located in Geneva and Bloomingdale.
From walkers to pro-runners, the SkirtChaser race is an experience unlike any other. The women, wearing skirts that are provided in pre-race packet options, start first in a "Catch Me" wave, and the men start three minutes later, in the "SkirtChaser" wave. The first runner to cross the finish line, male or female, will win a $500 grand prize
"We are just thrilled to team up with SkirtSports for its first ever race for a charity," said Jeannine Zupo, a director at Marklund. "Indian Lakes just announced they are donating the venue/tenting area for this event, and the ball is now rolling as we seek product sponsors and runners."
Runners have several packages to choose from but are encouraged to sign up as charity runners with the goal of raising, through pledges, a minimum of $250 for Marklund. Charity runners who raise $250 will enjoy Express Charity Check-in on race day and the top fundraiser will win a major grand prize.
The race packages for women include: $85 Deluxe includes race entry, skirt, performance tee and block party; $50 Standard includes race entry, skirt, and block party; and $35 Skirtless includes race entry, goody bag and block party.
The race packages for men include: $85 Deluxe includes race entry, race shorts, performance tee and block party; $50 Standard includes race entry, performance tee and block party; and $35 SkirtChaser Birthday Suit includes race entry, goody bag and block party.
A post-race block party and beer garden will feature live entertainment by the Debe Welch Band whose members are donating their talent. There will be a happy hour atmosphere of food and drinks, all of which will be provided. At the band's break, a fashion show will feature SkirtSports and SkirtChaser products and Marklund models, emceed by Nicole DeBoom, founder and CEO of SkirtSports and SkirtChaser 5Ks.
A professional triathlete, DeBoom had the idea for the first-ever running skirt, and she dreamed of creating a race series with the message: Look good, feel good, perform better, work hard and play hard. But, as SkirtChaser #1, Tim DeBoom (professional Ironman triathlete) looked on, DeBoom decided to include the man in her life in an edgy and fun event. Three years after the company's birth, the SkirtChaser race series was born.
"Nicole DeBoom, the president of SkirtSports, is the sister of one of my best friends from high school," Zupo said. "I ran in her first Chicago SkirtChaser event last June and proposed the concept of partnering with a charity, and of course I suggested Marklund. We made the agreement in 2008, and they are now looking to partner all their events across the country with various charities. Marklund is the first."
Register online at www.skirtchaser5k.com/chicago. Online registrations close at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 11. To avoid an additional $10 race-day fee, runners also can preregister from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Runner's High 'n Tri, 121 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Packets can be picked up at this location, too. For information, call (847) 670-9255.
To learn more about the race, visit www.skirtchaser5k.com/chicago/. To become a charity runner, visit www.marklund.org/.