Lew Blond Memorial returns May 20 in Northbrook
The 22nd Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held at Northbrook's Maple School starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 20.
The event honors former Maple School applied technology teacher Lew Blond, who died in 2000 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The majority of the proceeds from the Lew Blond Memorial have been donated to the Les Turner ALS Foundation to help support research efforts, and also to the Stuart Rosen Transportation Fund.
"The Lew Blond Run is our attempt to recognize what Lew meant to our community and what he meant to our district, and to honor his legacy," said Maple School Principal Sam Kurtz, the Lew Blond Run's executive director.
"We raise funds to find a cure to ALS and, in doing so, we celebrate his impact on our students and our community," said Kurtz, who ran in the event when he taught at Maple School.
Funds from the races also have gone toward scholarships for graduates of Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 who are pursuing applied sciences at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools.
Proceeds also go to special projects in District 30, which covers Willowbrook School in Glenview, Wescott School in Northbrook, and Maple School.
The USATF-certified 5K starts and finishes at Maple School, 2370 Shermer Road. The course goes along Sherman Drive, up Greenview Road, north past Techny Road - police will ensure a safe crossing - makes a loop around Fieldwood Drive and Ellendale Drive, and heads back to Maple School.
A mile run starting at 9 a.m. also starts and finishes at Maple School, with a jaunt to Sherman Drive at Glenview Road and back to the school.
Lew Blond Memorial organizers like to implement fun attractions for this community event.
In 2022 they started the "Little Lew," a 50-yard dash for children ages 6 and younger held on the Maple School soccer field. Thirty-five children competed, with mascots of the three District 30 schools greeting them at the finish line.
This year, the Little Lew will be held at 9:30 a.m.
A silent auction returns for a second year at lewblond.org, and accepts bids till race day. Auction items are donated by local businesses and residents and include fashion items, sports memorabilia, food and beverage packages, and more.
The Lew Blond Memorial traditionally includes a professionally led prerace group stretch, a business expo, refreshments, an awards ceremony and prizes.
This year, the Chicago alternative radio station, Q101, and the Dunkin' Community Cruiser will be on hand to provide music, giveaways and coffee samples for racers.
Kurtz estimated that between runners and volunteers, about 600 people participated in the 2022 Lew Blond Memorial. In 2015, the event drew 918 runners.
"It's a joyful time where we celebrate the end of the school year, being together, being a community, and also being committed to meaningful causes where we can make an impact and where we can support one another in a meaningful way," Kurtz said.
The cost to register ranges from $10 for the Little Lew to $45 for the adult (15 and older) 5K run. Packet pickup is scheduled for 4:15-6:15 p.m. May 19 at Maple School, or before 8 a.m. on race day, May 20, at Maple School.
For more information, visit lewblondrun.org.