80-year-old among runners in Arboretum 5K
Margaret Skubis wasn’t too happy with her running time at Sunday’s Fall Color 5K Run/Walk, but she said she’ll use it as motivation for future 5K runs.
The 80-year-old Lisle resident, who completed 16 triathlons between 2000 and 2010, finished Sunday’s 5K race in just under one hour, a good 20 minutes longer than her most recent personal best.
“I’ve been recovering from a recent bike accident, so I wasn’t able to work out as much before this race,” she said. “The last triathlon I did, I ran three miles in 42 minutes. I know where I need to get back to, and I’m determined to do it.”
Skubis was one of roughly 1,800 people who participated in Sunday’s race, which took place at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. She ran with her 53-year-old daughter and two granddaughters, ages 33 and 23.
Skubis didn’t know if she was the oldest participant on Sunday, though she expects she was in the top 5. She said she’s been athletic all her life.
“I taught myself to run competitively when I was 67,” she said. “I already liked to swim and bike, so I figured, why not combine them and start doing triathlons?”
Skubis liked the arboretum’s course and said she plans to enter the race next year.
“I plan to do a few other 5Ks in the area as well,” she said. “I like staying active. It’s just how I am.”
The Fall Color 5K took place on a brisk but beautiful Sunday morning. Frost covered part of the arboretum’s lawns as the runners and walkers gathered at the starting point. It was the eighth year for the race, which organizers say is a great way to introduce people to the arboretum.
“The course is unique because it’s so scenic,” said Diana Fischer-Woods, the arboretum’s special events coordinator. “It’s also very challenging, with lots of hilly stretches. We always hope that the race brings some people here for the first time, so they can see what we have.”
The winner of Sunday’s race was 49-year-old Glenview resident Mike Egle, who finished in just under 17 minutes.
“Those hills are really tough,” he said while catching his breath at the finish line. “This wasn’t my best time, but for such a hard course, I’m OK with it.”
Lisle resident David Stone, 26, took second place on Sunday, finishing just seven seconds later than Egle.
“I’ve done this race once before. It’s such a scenic run, and the people who come to this race are very supportive,” Stone said.
Asked if he was happy with his time, he smiled.
“I ran what I ran,” he said. “That’s all I can say.”