Cutler to lead off kids run Sunday in Naperville

NFL players are banned from their team’s workout facilities during the current labor lockout but that’s not going to stop Bears quarterback Jay Cutler from testing that controversial left knee.

Cutler is expected to join 350 kids Sunday as they run the 12th annual NCO Youth and Family Services Spring Ahead Race in Naperville.

The event will feature different choices for participants, including a 1 mile kid’s fun run, a 5K street run, a 5K wheelchair race and a 10K trail run.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Cutler supporting this event and leading off our kids run,” race director Dawn Portner said. “He will be there running with his cousin, who is a Woodridge resident and has asked Jay to join him for the day’s events.”

NCO Executive Director Ron Hume said the organization has stocked up on permanent markers because he heard Cutler burns through them quickly while signing autographs for children.

“It means an awful lot to NCO that Jay’s going to be here because this is one of his first appearances in the area. And we’re honored he chose NCO,” Hume said. “We started the fun run to promote kids’ health and exercise. We promote the well-being of young folks. Jay being here supports us and give some weight to our efforts to get today’s children involved in more exercise and activity.”

The event will start and end at the Calamos Investment campus at 2020 Calamos Drive, Naperville, on the southeast corner of Ferry Road and Route 59.

Proceeds from the race support the programs and services of NCO Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide life-changing services to youth through prevention education, counseling and shelter. Services include sliding-fee counseling for youth, adults and families, 24-hour crisis intervention for runaways/lockouts, temporary and long-term shelter for boys 13 to 17 years old and transitional housing for young adults up to 21 years old.