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Blackberry Farm's Spring Gallop steps off in Aurora

Lisa and Mark Dutkanych, a mother and son from Sugar Grove, said they were expecting more than just a cold morning at the annual 5K Spring Gallop Saturday at Blackberry Farm in Aurora.

"We are looking for a good mother and son experience," said Lisa, who said she likes to work out. This was their first 5k together, Lisa said, adding she figured this would be a fun event for the two to participate in after Mark joined a running club.

More than 100 runners in eight age divisions participated in the event, including Noel Limon of Aurora, who took second place in his age category. He said he ran the race four years ago and was not happy with his performance. However, he has been training as a boxer, and that training certainly paid off Saturday. He was one happy camper after the finish.

The CARA-certified course's scenic route took runners along paved portions of the Virgil Gilman Trail and around Lake Gregory. A new feature this year was chip timing provided by It's Race Time Inc.

Handcrafted plaques were awarded to the top male and female finishers in each age group; top overall male and female finishers also received awards.

  Shadows of runners show the effort it takes to accomplish the Blackberry Farm 5K Spring Gallop Saturday in Aurora. The race featured eight age divisions for male and female runners 10 and older. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Noel Limon of Aurora takes second place in his age category in the Blackberry Farm 5K Spring Gallop Saturday. He ran this race four years ago and was not happy with his performance. However, he said, he has been training as a boxer - and it paid off. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
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