Sikh community hosts annual Oneness 5K in Palatine

Posted August 17, 2021 11:00 pm

Submitted by Rajinder Singh Mago

Participants of the Sikh Religious Society's Oneness 5K Run/Walk 2021 take to the course. Courtesy of Indermohan Singh Mokha

In the spirit of oneness, the fourth annual 5K run/walk was hosted by the Sikh Religious Society, Palatine, Aug. 7 at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine.

More than 300 people registered for the race. Two hundred men and women of all ages participated in person, while the rest participated virtually from their own neighborhood parks, which included families in Canada and one family vacationing overseas in Kosovo.

It was an interfaith Oneness 5K Run/Walk that aimed to bring neighborhood communities and different faiths together. Many local community members participated to show solidarity with the Sikh American community.

The guest of honor was Illinois state Sen. Ann Gillespie, who addressed the participants, kicked off the race, distributed medals to participants who finished the race, and presented special awards to the winners of the 5K.

The first-place winner was Gurshaan Singh Sohi with a time of 23.08 minutes. Second-place winner was Dr. Sutpal Singh with 23.14 minutes, and third place was won by Johann Aakre with 23.25 minutes.

The purpose of the event was to promote a healthy lifestyle and community, generating solidarity with the interfaith communities and neighbors.

Maheshwar Singh and Maneshwar Singh provided the entertainment with live music and singing, while free refreshments were available to all participants.

Keeping COVID-19 in mind, fully vaccinated participants were encouraged to participate in person and practice hand hygiene, social distancing and to wear face coverings when in close proximity to reduce the risk. Hand sanitizers were available. All food items at the shelter were individually wrapped.

Emergency medical services were provided by Dr. Amrit Singh Anand and Dr. Avnit Singh Kapoor.

Refreshments were provided courtesy of Bhupinder Singh Dhaliwal, Achhar Singh and Malvinder Singh Virdi.

The event organizing committee was led by SRS board member Prempal Singh, also the race director. Others were race manager Lakhwinder Singh; route planners Jasmeet Singh Kahlon and Bhupinder Singh Dhaliwal; finance, Supreeta Kapoor; IT services, Aman Singh; site décor, Jasvir Kaur Singh; food arrangements, Sanover Kaur Sohi; V.I.P. guests arrangements and media, Rajinder Singh Mago. The emcee was Supreeta Kapoor.

Dozens of youth volunteers provided help with the details of the event. The volunteer photographer was Indermohan Singh Mokha.

Participants were asked to write comments about what oneness means to them and also to provide feedback for improvements next year.

Organizers and volunteers of the Oneness 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine gather for a photo. Courtesy of Indermohan Singh Mokha

State Sen. Ann Gillespie, center, presents Gurshaan Singh Sohi with his first-place award in the Sikh Religious Society's Oneness 5K Run/Walk 2021. Courtesy of Indermohan Singh Mokha

Organizers of the Sikh Religious Society's Oneness 5K Run/Walk 2021 with guest of honor state Sen. Ann Gillespie. Courtesy of Indermohan Singh Mokha

Dr. Avnit Singh Kapoor and Rajinder Singh Mago do stretching exercises with state Sen. Ann Gillespie before the beginning of the Oneness 5K Run/Walk, hosted the Sikh Religious Society of Palatine. Courtesy of Indermohan Singh Mokha

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