Huntley's inaugural Running of the Elves 5K a success

Everyone was a winner at the inaugural Elf 5K run, walk and dash, established to support the Huntley community.

The overall 5K winners were Algonquin resident Lindsey Ferguson, age 22, with a time of 21.22.9, and Huntley resident Dan Helm, age 26, with a time of 19.24.8.

Two 13-year-old athletes also had great times: Haley Rahman, with a time of 21.39.2 and Miles Dill with a time of 21:52.4.

One hundred and twenty-four athletes participated and many locals had fun volunteering to make the event smooth, successful and enjoyable.

• Age 12-and-under category: Franklin Peloquin, age 11, of Chicago, (35.08.2), and William Pawlikowski, age 12, of Huntley (31.31.8).

• Age 13-24 category: Haley Rahman, age 13, of Huntley (21.39.2), and Miles Dill, age 13, of South Elgin (21.52.4).

• Age 25-34 category: Olivia Naugle, age 26, of Pingree Grove (52.27.0) and Brittany Tewksbury, age 36, of Genoa (22.49.5)

• Age 45-54 category: Megan Wittig, age 45, of Algonquin ( 25.42.6), and Austin Tamillo, age 46, of Elgin (24.51.4)

• Age 55-64 category: Mark Drendel, age 62, of Hampshire (23:43.0)

• Age 65 and older category: Nancy Allen, age 68, of Algonquin (43.51.0), and Mark Oefelein, age 66, of Huntley (29.42.0).

The Village of Huntley, Huntley Park District, and Rotary Club of Huntley collaborated to put on the Elf 5K to enhance and expand the annual Very Merry Huntley event and to support Grafton Food Pantry, scholarships for Huntley High School students, and Veterans Path to Hope.

Organizers are asking supporters to patronize and thank the sponsors: Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, DeFiore Funeral and Cremation Services, Huntington Learning Center, Drendel's Corner, Hampton Inn, Kopf Running, Digital Origin, Huntley Park District and American Community Bank.

Save the date of Dec. 2 for the second annual Elf 5K run, 1-mile walk and half-mile dash. Details will follow. It is never too early to start training and early birds will again receive Elf hats and shirts.