For the third straight year, Mya Coglianese took First Place overall in the women’s division of the 2026 La Grange Park Run For The Roses 5K, but this time winning was a bit tougher.
“I just had prom last night so I got home at 2 a.m. So I’m not feeling the best right now,” she said, shortly after crossing the finish line. “But I did well.”
The Lyons Township High School graduating senior is headed to the University of Illinois Chicago in the fall after competing in high school track for the last four years, finishing her final season just last week.
Coglianese first began running track to help keep in shape for tennis. But she did so well on the cinders that she eventually gave up tennis altogether.
When she won her first Run For The Roses in 2024, she had a cold and wasn’t feeling her best that day, but still took first place. With talent like that, it’s no surprise that she got a track scholarship to UIC.
The 18th edition of the race drew 115 participants for an event well into its second decade. Runners were charged a $40 entrance fee and all proceeds went toward community events sponsored by the Chamber.
Mat Cravens, a La Grange Park resident originally from Portland, Oregon, who took first overall in the Men’s division, felt he could have done even better. He blamed “40 hours a week at a desk and too much deep dish.”
“I should have trained harder,” he said, noting that he did run every morning near Bemis Woods.
It was his first race in 20 years, but said he “will definitely” do the Run For The Roses again.
“I’ve got to get my son to do it next year,” Cravens said. “I think he’s curious about it.”
Chamber President Patrick Smith was encouraged by the turnout.
“It’s probably a little bit higher than last year, and we’re slowly increasing every year since COVID,” he said. “We’re approaching a record.”
Sponsor Mattone Restaurant provided free pizza for participants and guests.
The race had its share of volunteers, including Village Manager Julia Cedillo and personal trainer Laura Hannon of Live Fit Live Well, who led the runners in stretching exercises before the race.
“It’s fun to get in front of the people I train and teach,” she said some of my clients are here and it’s fun.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
