SALUTE Supporters Take on Hot Temperatures in 5 and 10K Races
Record high temperatures were not enough to dampen the spirits of nearly 750 participants in the 2018 SALUTE, INC. Memorial Day Weekend race. After a brief welcome speech by SALUTE co-founder Will Beiersdorf, an invocation from Rev. Corey Brost, CSV, and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Torron Crawford, the 5 and 10K races kicked off at 8:00 a.m. in Recreation Park under sunny skies. When all was said and done, the event raised over $26,000 to support SALUTE initiatives.
A special challenge by Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes, a military veteran and accomplished marathoner provided an extra incentive to more than 400 runners in the 5K category. Hayes pledged to donate $5 to SALUTE to every runner who could better his time. Joking to the crowd before the race began, Hayes said he thought about adding a caveat that runners had to be over 40 years old, but he left the challenge open to all. In the end, 31 runners finished ahead of the Mayor. His generous donation, however, was multiplied many times over as local business leaders Sue and Paul Duchek, owners of Picket Fence Realty not only vowed to match the Mayor's donation, they helped enlist more than two dozen other businesses to do the same. In total, the Mayor's Challenge helped generate over $4,000 in donations to SALUTE.
"We have so much to be thankful for after this exceptional event," said SALUTE co-founder and Executive Director Mary Beth Beiersdorf. "First to the runners, walkers and adaptive athletes who took time out on a very warm Sunday morning to make our efforts worthwhile. We also had dozens of volunteers who gave their time to assist in making the race a success, and of course, Mayor Hayes, the Ducheks, the other businesses who donated to the challenge and our sponsors. Finally, we thank the Village of Arlington Heights Police, Public Works and the many neighbors along the race route who supported SALUTE and our participants in many ways."
Race sponsors included MSC Industrial Supply, TEC Coffee and Foods, the Knights of Columbus, McDonalds, Starbucks, Corner Bakery, Passanante's Home Food Services and Runners High n Tri. Businesses who joined the Mayor's Challenge included Allstate (Jim Thompson), AXA (Jim Bertucci), Boyle, Feinberg, Sharma and Adler Law, Brian Properties, Drost Kivlihan McMahon O'Connor LLC, Eddie's Restaurant, Ennes & Associates, Fleet of Foot, Fitness 19, Flaherty Jewelers, Forbici Salon, Glueckert Funeral Home, JRC Construction, K Auto, Law Office of John Corbit, Northwest Speech & Hearing, Peggy Kinnane's Restaurant, Picket Fence Realty, Soprano & Assoc., State Farm (Jennifer Burnidge), Tuscan Market, Village Bank, Visual Edge, Waverly Memory Care, Walsh Palmer Dawson LLC, Westgate Dental, and Kris and Larry Niemann.
Top performers included overall 5K winner 18 year old Jack Fredian or Arlington Heights and Ben Carlson of Delaware, Ohio who took home the 10K trophy. Among the Adaptive Athletes, Amanda Kloepfer of Rockford was the 5K winner while the top finisher in the 10K race was Kevin Hamilton of Arlington Heights. SALUTE also recognized 10 year old Alana Heinrichs of Buffalo Grove who was the top female finisher in the Under 14 age group and 11 year old Ryan Kalaway who captured the U14 trophy among the boys.
With the race behind them, Beiersdorf said she hopes those who ran for the competition also leave with a better understanding of SALUTE'S mission. "We always love having runners from all over join us to be a part of our event, but we hope that after the race they will take a few minutes to visit our website at www.saluteinc.org to see the ways that we work to assist service men and women meet specific challenges. The race entry fee covers our costs for the event but through the race we hope to raise awareness and perhaps encourage some of the participants to make a small donation to allow us to do the critical work that is needed."
Beiersdorf suggested that runners make a donation in the amount to match their finish time or even just meet Mayor Hayes's $5 donation regardless of where they finished.
SALUTE INC., is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans and their families.
For information on the mission of SALUTE, INC., visit www.saluteinc.org.