Getting off to a healthy pace on the Fourth of July
In Mundelein, the Fourth of July is not all about firecrackers and parades. The 30th annual Freedom Classic 5K, organized by the Mundelein Park District, is back. Program coordinator Nora T'Niemi tells us what you need to know.
Q. What makes this such a fabulous event?
A. What makes the Freedom Classic fabulous is that we provide a healthy start to runners, walkers, children and families every Fourth of July. The majority of our participants are from right here in Mundelein, making it a very community-oriented event.
Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?
A. The first of our events, the 5K run is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The run began as a cross country event way back then in Community Park. It later moved to the center of town as part of the Mundelein Community Days celebration. In 2007, we moved the Freedom Classic back to its original location in Community Park. We've grown from about 200 runners to more than 500 in three years time. We're still part of the Community Days celebration, but offer participants the opportunity to utilize our great water park after events are complete. Our Red, White & Blue Walk and free youth run have been part of the Freedom Classic for 13 years. There were more than 300 participants in our free youth run in 2008, which is for ages 4-10. The course for our walk and youth run will be new this year. Participants can enjoy a more scenic route using our bike path, which circles behind Barefoot Bay.
Q. What's the highlight of the event?
A. The highlight for this year's events will of course be our 30th anniversary celebration. Special prizes will be raffled for runners who dress in '70s attire, and for those whose race numbers are drawn. Our overall male and female 5K winners will receive running shoes in addition to their medals. We award 1st-3rd place medals in 14 age categories, male and female. Another highlight will be the 1972 Olds Cutlass, which will lead runners throughout the 5K route. A volunteer DJ will begin the morning playing The Star Spangled Banner, followed up by music from the '70s through today.
Q. What kind of activities will appeal to kids and families?
A. The 5K run appeals to both individuals and families. It's not uncommon to have several members of a family come back year after year. Our walk brings participants from families as well as local neighborhoods. Parents who ran the 5K often run another mile with their child, using is as a "cool down lap." All children who participate in the free youth run receive a medal. The Mundelein Dairy Queen has also donated a free ice cream cone to every child as well.
Q. What about adults? What does the event offer them?
A. The park district is becoming well known for having the "best goody bags and technical T-shirts in Lake County." Each registered 5K runner receives a cloth bag filled with various personal items, candy, along with information on other running events in our area. Our technical T-shirts are a big hit, as they're not just the usual T-shirt. Many of our runners have quite a collection from years past.
Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?
A. The girl's gymnastics and boy's lacrosse teams (and their parents) from Mundelein High School have teamed up for the second year to provide a delicious pancake breakfast after the Freedom Classic events. The cost is $5.00 per person and benefits these young athletes directly. Parents will be serving breakfast here in front of our Spray Park building from 8:30-11 a.m. Water and light fruit items will also be available for those who opt out of breakfast.
Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.
A. This event is truly a team effort. Planning begins in January with a few people, then expands to about 80 volunteers on race day. The success of the Freedom Classic depends on cooperation from many areas of local and county government, and it's success is a testament to that cooperative effort. The Mundelein Park District, the Village of Mundelein, the police Department, fire department, public works department, the county department of transportation and health department all play important roles in the Freedom Classic.
The staff at Park View Health & Fitness perform the majority of the pre-race and race day legwork. Volunteers from the community also pitch in to assist with traffic control and water stations. This community really comes together through both participation and volunteerism.
Q. How much does it cost to get in? If the admission costs benefit a charity, please tell us about that group.
A. 5K registration is $20 per person until noon on July 3. On race day (July 4) the cost is $28 per person. In person, mail in and online registration through signmeup.com is available. The cost for our walk is $7 per person. Our youth run is free.
Q. Is there anything else we should know?
A. Yes! You're most welcome to join us on Saturday, July 4 for a run, a walk, pancakes, or just to take pictures! It'll be "classic!"
<p class="factboxheadblack">30th annual Freedom Classic </p> <p class="News"><b>When: </b>Saturday, July 4, 8 a.m. for 5K; 8:10 a.m. for Red, White & Blue walk; 9 a.m. for youth run</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> 5K is $20 until noon July 3, $28 day of race; walk is $7; youth run is free</p> <p class="News"><b>More info:</b> Call coordinator Nora T'Niemi at (847) 566-0650, ext. 28, or visit <a href="http://www.mundeleinpark.org" target="new">mundeleinpark.org</a></p>