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Racing goals converge at Naperville half marathon

It's hard to find a place where more goals converge than the starting line of a large endurance race.

Runners toe the line with goals of breaking benchmark times, qualifying for prestigious races, setting new personal records, raising higher totals for beloved charities, sticking to a plan, or simply finishing.

A few thousand runners will be bringing these goals and other personal intentions to downtown Naperville on Sunday, Oct. 21, when they line up for the sixth annual Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon and 5K.

On Eagle Street, north of Aurora Avenue, goals of speed, endurance and community support will propel runners forward for 3.1 or 13.1 miles on what organizers call a “running tour of downtown Naperville.”

Pacers from Dick Pond Athletics will help many of them achieve certain times, and families and fans will help them stay motivated.

“It's just all about helping runners reach their goals,” Race Director Dave Sheble said.

This is the second year the race has not involved a full marathon of 26.2 miles. But volunteer charity coordinator Barb Martin said that's actually been a positive for the race's goal of helping charities raise as much as possible.

Many people can't run a marathon, so helping a cause through a race that long isn't a possibility. But even those who plan to walk can complete a 5K, Martin said. And that could be one contributing factor toward the continuously growing number of charity participants, which last year rose to 544 and this year is at 857.

“People just feel like as long as they're running, why not run and run for a reason,” Martin said. “It helps people feel great that they're doing something good for the community.”

Each of the 12 participating charities set different levels of donations runners must raise to join their teams. Joining comes with benefits, including discounted registration, a “Charity Hero” race bib, a special shirt, a pre-race dinner at a Naperville restaurant and access to the charity tent in the race village, which includes a gear check and a dedicated area for stretching and massage.

Runners with longevity goals also gain special recognition at the end of the race. Race organizers give legacy medals for completing the race two or more years in a row, and series medals for completing challenges called the Valley & ‘Ville or the Chicagoland Triple Crown. These are all on top of finishers medals given to every participant who crosses the line post-race.

In downtown Naperville, as some runners celebrate with post-race brunch, they differentiate themselves from spectators with the bling around their necks. Sheble said those who wear multiple medals at once create a sound almost like cowbells as they reunite with loved ones after their run.

The half marathon follows the same course as it did last year — marking the first time in the race's history it hasn't had to adjust the half course because of feedback from runners, residents and city leaders.

The 5K, though, features one small change, Sheble said: eliminating a loop around the block that had runners crossing the start line twice in a row at the beginning of their race.

“It has all the features everyone loved about the 5K,” Sheble said about this year's route, “without the double loop.”

The race creates road closures on parts of Aurora, Charles, Elizabeth, Jackson, Jefferson, Porter and Tupelo avenues; Mill, Ewing and Main streets; and Emerald, Spruce, Hobson Mill and Hillside drives, among others. A course map is available at http://runnaperville.com/course-amenities/.

Edward-Elmhurst Health has been the race's sponsor for its entire six-year span and the health system's support of the race remains strong, officials said.

“The Naperville Half Marathon and 5K is a great opportunity to stress Edward-Elmhurst's message of leading a Healthy Driven lifestyle,” said Bill Kottmann, president and CEO of Edward Hospital.

“Whether you're running or volunteering, or there to support a runner, the event gives people a chance to reach goals that contribute to improved physical and mental health.”

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Getting a running tour of downtown Naperville is part of the fun of the sixth annual Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon and 5K, set to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday on Eagle street, north of Aurora Avenue. Daily Herald File photo, October 2017
Runners will aim for goal times and charitable contributions Sunday during the 6th annual Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon and 5K. Daily Herald File photo, October 2017
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