Fitness For America Sports Fest returns to Hoffman Estates
The Alexian Brothers Fitness For America Sports Festival, held annually in Hoffman Estates, has grown since starting two years ago.
This year's fest starts on Friday, July 23 and ends on Sunday, July 25. The Chicagoland Inline Marathon returns for a third year to Hoffman Estates and again serves as a linchpin for the weekend.
Technically, the family-oriented festival is in its second year. But event organizers have worked in Hoffman Estates for longer, as three years ago they brought the inline marathon to the village.
Last year, Alexian Brothers Health System signed on as the event's chief sponsor and organizers added a fitness expo and other races.
This year the fest adds a variety of foot races as well as a village-sponsored bike ride on Sunday morning.
Getting participants of all ages and athletic ability is the focus, said Hoffman Estates Tourism and Business Retention Coordinator Linda Scheck. She's helped organize the event over the years and said a unique energy flows through the event grounds at the AT&T campus on Lakewood Boulevard in Hoffman Estates.
"To see this event grow, to have this many people register is amazing," Scheck said.
Part of the event, the skating time trials, will now take place at the Sears Centre arena's parking lots. That's a perk of the village taking ownership of the facility, something it did in December.
The inline marathon started four years ago in Mundelein and moved to Hoffman Estates, as many of the skaters would practice on the weekends on Hoffman Estates roads. Peter Starykowicz came up with the idea, and continues to work with the village. He said last year 700 registered for events, and so far they have 1,600 this year, with a bump expected the day of the event.
Starykowicz brought his plan to Hoffman Estates officials three years ago, and they've been enthusiastic. The inline marathon is now the second-largest event of its kind in the country.
"It's awesome to see this festival grow, it's becoming what I originally envisioned," he said.
As high temperatures have folks sweating next weekend, Scheck noted organizers will have plenty of cooling stations with cold water and fruit.
Paramedics from the Hoffman Estates Fire Department will be stationed there, as well as Alexian Brothers medical staff.
Organizers have reached out to local Boy Scouts and cheerleaders to work the cooling stations.
The fitness expo, which will showcase the latest in fitness equipment, will be held this year at the Prairie Stone Sports and Wellness Center, which is run by the Hoffman Estates Park District.
The village-run bike ride on Sunday is the village's second of the summer. Village officials are trying to get residents familiar with bike paths. The village board is in discussion on expanding those bike paths, something that could happen in the next couple of years.
"It's a great part of this festival and another way to get the fitness-minded people involved in this event," Starykowicz said. "It's not about competition, it's about going out, the joy of motion and things of that sort."
For information on registration, visit allcommunityevents.com/gfasf/gfasf home.html.