Try to beat the record at Matt's Mile and 5K event

Hundreds of runners will convene again in Grayslake in the quest to beat the 1-mile and 5K race times of Matthew Hupp, a 13-year-old athlete who lost his battle with cancer in 2009.

The second annual Matt's Mile and 5K will take place Friday, Oct. 7, starting at 5 p.m. in the Prairie Crossing subdivision where Matt lived. All proceeds go to the 12 Oaks Foundation, a nonprofit charity established in Matt's honor.

“The most incredible part of Matt's Mile is the people,” said Diane Walkowiak, a 12 Oaks board member. “At last year's race, they just kept coming!”

Anticipating around 350 runners, Walkowiak said the event drew more than 750 participants and 80 volunteers. She attributes the turnout to the vast community of people who were affected by the Hupp family's loss, and their desire to help others also in distress.

The 12 Oaks Foundation supports kids in families struggling with a cancer diagnosis or temporary financial hardship. Partnering with community organizations, the foundation underwrites fees for children's sports and other extracurricular programs. Julie Hupp, who founded 12 Oaks along with her husband Steve, says the charity works closely with cancer treatment centers and support groups to help children stay active in their communities.

“Cancer devastates the entire family,” Hupp said. “So much of your time, energy and money go toward fighting the disease; often, other kids in the family can feel left behind.”

According to Hupp, very few programs are currently available to assist the children or siblings of a cancer patient. The foundation helps these kids keep up their favorite day-to-day activities, and strives to give back some of the attention they may have lost out on during the illness, she says. Families can apply for program assistance online by visiting the 12 Oaks website, www.12oaksfoundation.com.

Over the past year, 12 Oaks has fulfilled requests from individual families in need and also provided funding to community organizations, such as the B&B Rising Stars basketball program. B&B brings student athletes together from different backgrounds in all areas of Lake County, from Grayslake to Waukegan, to share experiences and develop friendships while playing basketball.

Another 12 Oaks recipient, the Hoopsters basketball program in Lake Zurich offers a free summer basketball camp to grade school kids in families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it.

“We were so happy to have the support of 12 Oaks,” said Anne Amick, program organizer for the Hoopsters. “With their assistance, we were able to send 25 more kids to camp for free this year.”

Matt's Mile and 5K is one of two major fundraisers 12 Oaks hosts annually, along with Hoops for Hope, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament held in March. Runners and walkers of all ages can participate in the event, held near the shops and along the trails of Prairie Crossing. Winding along on crushed gravel, the 5K course takes participants past horse pastures, prairies, an organic farm, and around Lake Aldo Leopold.

An awards ceremony follows the race, and the top three male and female runners in each age group will take home medals. Anyone who can beat Matt Hupp's fastest 1-mile race time of 6:13 or his fastest 5K race time of 21:27 will also be automatically entered in a raffle to win gift cards to area restaurants, fitness training packages and other prizes.

The 5K registration fee is $35, and the 1-mile registration fee is $35 for adults, $25 for kids 13 and under. Every registration includes a free T-shirt and a post-race party with complimentary barbecue from Emil's Restaurant, pizza from Papa Johns, beer, soft drinks and live music by Betty Soul starting at 6 p.m. Tickets to attend the party only, including food, drinks and entertainment, are $15.

To register for Matt's Mile and 5K or make a donation to 12 Oaks, visit www.12oaksfoundation.org.

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