Crowds come out for inspirational 5K Twilight Run/Walk/Roll
About 400 individuals participated in the fourth annual 5K Twilight Run/Walk/Roll sponsored by the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association.
The race and post-party took place Sept. 10 at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest.
The Twilight Run/Walk/Roll is the largest 5K race in the Chicago area, featuring disabled and nondisabled athletes competing side-by-side. Participants ranged in age from 4 to 87. The event concluded with a post-party of food, beverages and live music.
Members from the Great Lakes Naval Base also participated in the event.
“Picture this. A very young girl was pushing through a 5K while sitting on a hand pedalled bike and struggling a bit at mile 2. Now picture 30 Navy Chiefs and Chief Selects, belting out some beautiful cadence, who come across this determined little girl and refuse to pass her,” Chief Eric Markovich said.
“The faces of her parents (who were jogging along side the girl) lit up like it was Christmas morning. We even passed her once and conducted a ‘man overboard drill’ and turned around to join her again.
“We thought that we were motivating her through to the end of the race. The fact was, it was that little girl who inspired us tonight. I have never been more proud to be a Chief in the United States Navy.”
All proceeds went toward programming for the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association. GLASA is a nonprofit organization that provides competitive and recreational sports opportunities for youth and adults who have a physical disability or mental impairment.
For information, visit www.glasa.org.