‘Spring Ahead’ run a success for Naperville service agency
The weather was on the minds of many who organized and participated in the 360 Youth Services Spring Ahead Run on Sunday.
Last year’s event took place in biting cold. Early Sunday morning, it looked like thunderstorms could be a problem. In the end, though, the weather cooperated nicely.
“It was definitely better this time, though the wind did make things kind of tough,” said Naperville resident Nick Hird, who won the 5K race with a time just a hair over 16 minutes. “That cold last year was really bad.”
Sunday’s run, which took place just outside Calamos Investments in Naperville, was a fundraiser for 360 Youth Services (formerly known as NCO Youth Services), an organization that provides counseling, education and shelter to at-risk young people in the Naperville area. Organizers said 875 people signed up for the event.
The run comprised a number of different events — a Fun Run for children and traditional 5K and 10K runs.
Glenn Weiss, president of the 360 Youth Services board, said the event is the organization’s second-biggest fundraiser of the year.
“It looks like we’ll have more runners this year than last, which is a wonderful thing for us,” Weiss said. “Demand for the services we provide remains very high, which makes events like this all the more important.”
Hird, who ran the 10K race last year, had just recently returned to running after getting over an injury.
“I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest,” he said. “I haven’t had time to do as many workouts leading up to this. But I feel pretty good.”
Aurora resident Amy Barbosa’s three children — Andrea, Elizabeth and Emily — participated in the Fun Run, as did her nephew, Erik, and her niece, Daniela.
“Their dads are runners, so they’ve gotten into this naturally,” Barbosa said. “It’s a fun event. We’ve done it three or four times now.”
Hird and Naperville resident Marisa Mele were the male and female champs of the 5K race. Willy Kaul and Amber Druien, both of Naperville, were the male and female winners of the 10K. Jack James of Wheaton won the Fun Run.
For more about 360 Youth Services, go to ncoyouth.org.