Updates on a pair of local 5Ks
After completing a 5K over last weekend in Bartlett, I am officially obsessed with them and have great news to report about a pair of local races.
The winners of Lake in the Hills' annual Summer Sunset 5K Race were Steven Bland, of Lake in the Hills, who crossed the finish line at 17 minutes and 20.8 seconds, and Meg Coleman, of Woodstock, with a time of 20 minutes and 26.8 seconds.
This year's race, held Sept. 4, attracted 361 runners - a record number.
Participants ranged in age from 9 to 71 years old.
Next door in Algonquin, the first-ever Hunger Hustle, held Aug. 30 to support the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Food Pantry, raised $850 and 410 lbs of food - runners were asked to either donate $10 worth of groceries or $10 cash.
Because it was a fun run, organizers didn't keep track of who won or give out awards to people who placed, said Robin Platt, who helped organize the run with the Lifetime Fitness Running Club.
On race day, 65 people ran or walked 3.1 miles, the distance of a 5K.
More than 20 members of the running club donated their time to set up the course, oversee registration and safeguard the intersections along with the Algonquin Police Department.
Moreover, local businesses donated 48 certificates and gifts, which were raffled off to the participants. As well, Lifetime Fitness donated the space in the gym for everyone to gather.
The running club is now planning the Turkey Trot, a 5K race held on Thanksgiving Day that also benefits the food pantry.
Trees in Pingree Grove: If you live in Pingree Grove and just can't stand the sight of ugly trees, the village has established a program to help replace them - at residents' expense.
The village will install smaller versions of the same tree on your property and has managed to save money by negotiating lower rates.
The following species of trees are available for purchase: autumn blaze maples, Norway maples, chanticleer pear trees, skyline honeylocust trees and Pacific sunset maples.
Each tree, with the exception of the chanticleer pear, costs $200.
The chanticleer pear tree costs $275.
Contact the village if you have questions about the program, or would like to participate, call village hall at (847) 464-5533.
Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Pingree Grove, Cary, Fox River Grove and McHenry County College. To reach her, call (847) 931-1208 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com.