Rained out Track-a-thon on calendar again
Who could have imagined that mighty Hurricane Ike would have propelled its fury with such force as to reach the Northwest suburbs causing cancellation of the eagerly awaited Track-a-thon Saturday, Sept. 13?
Ike sent us enough rain to warrant the postponement of the popular fundraiser that pledges money for Hoffman Estates' St. Hubert Catholic School.
The grounds have dried out enough to reschedule the event that calls together the community, according to Principal Vito DeFrisco, who with Hubert pastor, the Rev. Bob Rizzo, rely on the day's income to support some of the school's programs.
Runners, walkers and gawkers will assemble at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the school parking lot, Grand Canyon Street and Flagstaff Lane, to witness the event's opening with DeFrisco leading the effort. Vice Principal Alison O'Connor will trail closely as she follows the 31-year-old tradition of kicking off the moneymaking event with its theme of "Follow in His Footsteps."
As proposed before, the main attraction will star two knights from Medieval Times who will put on a show at 9 a.m.
An all-out effort to contact school alums was made, according to Bea Candre, president of the school advisory board. One of Candre's children Frankie, an alumnus, will participate in the run. Now a freshman at Conant High School, Frankie will join his sister, Laura, a seventh-grader and brother, Matthew, a third-grader at St. Hubert.
Another alum, Joe Tatara, son of Alan and Stephanie Tatara of Hoffman Estates, recalls his track-a-thon days. Now a junior at Hoffman Estates High School with an aim to major in forensic science when he heads to college, Joe says he accumulated nine themed T-shirts from years of participation.
He accepted pledges from his aunts and uncles and neighbors, something Hubert students set out to do as well.
Nearby Chino Park will house attractions and refreshment stands at what Candre calls a family fair.
"We'll have food and a bungee run, a rock climbing slide, a seven-part obstacle course and a Moon Jump," Candre said.
Hot dogs, cotton candy and snow cones will be sold.
There's no entrance fee or preregistration required to participate in the run. Children from the public schools and adults in the community may participate.