The third annual Spring Ahead 5K Run will offer a woodsy flavor this year. The run, set for 8 a.m. April 21, is sponsored by Tellabs and benefits NCO Youth and Family Services.
The race will be run on two courses, one a traditional road setting, the second a wooded terrain.
“The new course features a split route that starts and finishes at the new Tellabs headquarters,” at Raymond and Diehl Roads in Naperville, said race director Steve Chirico, also a director on the NCO board. “Runners can either choose a street 5K race or one that runs along a trail through the McDowell Woods Forest Preserve. They both start and finish at the same place, so the results should be interesting.”
Chirico said 1,000 runners are expected to participate, but that the trail run would be available to only the first 300 runners who request that course. All runners will begin on the street. After a quarter mile, they will either choose to stay on the street or turn off into the Forest Preserve.
To register, go to www.active.com or www.signmeupsports.com. Registration is also available at NCO offices, 1305 Oswego Rd. Cost is $22 before April 14, $25 afterward. Walkers, wheel chair athletes and baby joggers may participate on the street course.
Awards will be presented to separate category winners for each route, and all participants under 15 will receive a medal.
Race packets will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 and 20 at Great Western Flooring, 22 E. Chicago Ave., in downtown Naperville. Runners also can register at that time for $25. Registration on race day is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
For more information, call Chirico at 630-816-2251 or write to chiricos@greatwesternflooring.com.
