Morton Arboretum holds 10th annual Arbor Day 10K on April 19

Area residents can run for a greener, healthier, more beautiful world during the Morton Arboretum's fifth annual Arbor Day 10K race.

The Arbor Day 10K on Sunday, April 19, is Morton Arboretum's nod to the start of spring, taking participants on a challenging and scenic run through the arboretum's grounds at 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

The USATF-certified course takes runners past the maples and oaks of the East Woods and alongside the ginkgos that grow in the arboretum's collection of trees from China and Japan. This year's race will be followed by a new post-race party, featuring live music and a free beer for each participant.

"The Arbor Day 10K is a unique opportunity to run through one of the Western suburbs' most beautiful courses while supporting the arboretum's research and educational programming," said Diana Fischer-Woods, special events coordinator at the Morton Arboretum. "Trees need champions. We invite runners to join us in support of trees and have some fun during our new post-race party."

Registration and packet pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. The race starts at 8 a.m. with the awards ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Runners receive a short-sleeve T-shirt, recovery food and admission to the arboretum.

Runners will wear the latest in race-timing technology, the Chronotrack B-Tag system. The top male and female overall finishers will receive a plaque and a gift certificate for a pair of shoes from Dick Pond Athletics. The top three men and women in each age group will receive medals.

Register in person, at mortonarb.org/calendar or by mail postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. The cost, including admission, is $35 for members or $40 for others. A special new member offer is $83 and includes race registration plus a discounted one-year individual membership to the arboretum. The cost for race-day registration is $45 and spots may be limited. The registration fee is nonrefundable and any cancellation will be considered a donation to the Morton Arboretum.

If you go

What: Arbor Day 10K

When: 8 a.m. Sunday, April 19

Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

Cost: $35 members, $40 others in advance; $45 race day

Info: mortonarb.org/calendar