Community Corner
Ready, Set, Go: 2016 Ridge Run and Memorial Day Parade Guide
Thousands will cheer runners and walkers in the 39th edition of Beverly's Ridge Run on Monday, May 30.
Hang out after the races to watch the Beverly Hills/Mt. Greenwood/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade that will step off around 10:30 a.m. The parade runs along Longwood Drive from 110th Place to 96th Street.
RACE ROUTE: The race starts and ends at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Drive. The course runs through the center of the beautiful, residential Ridge Historic District and features the challenge of Chicago’s highest hill. Residents and neighbors come out to watch the race and cheer on the runners. Water stations are located throughout the course, manned by volunteers.
The 10K route has been revised and recertified. It will stay north of 111th Street, sending runners up the hill on 110th Street, winding down Bell and Oakley Avenues to 108th Place where it reconnects to Longwood Drive at the bottom of the hill. Mike Haggerty Buick, GMC. Volkswagen is sponsor of the 10K and supplies the Ridge Run pace car.
Please note that the Ridge Run finish line has been moved off Longwood Drive into Ridge Park, directly into the Cork and Kerry post-race festival area.
AGE GROUPS:
5K RUN: 8 & UNDER, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & OVER.
10K RUN: 14 & UNDER, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & OVER
YOUTH MILE FUN RUN (untimed): AGES 6-12.
ONSITE PRE-REGISTRATION/ADVANCED PACKET PICKUP: Running Excels, 10328 S. Western Ave., Chicago May 24-28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Drive, Sunday, May 29, from noon to 4 p.m.
RACE DAY REGISTRATION: Opens at 6:30 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the Ridge Park Field House, 2nd floor gymnasium until 9 a.m. 10K and Youth Mile registration closes at 7:30 a.m. 5K registration closes at 9 a.m. on Race Day.
RACE DAY REGISTRATION FEES: $40 - 5K; $45 -10K; $65 - 5K AND 10K Challenge; $35 - 5K walk (untimed); $25 - Youth Mile; and $15 Active Military with Military ID #.
START TIMES: 8 a.m. for the 10K; 8:10 a.m. for the Youth Mile; and 9:30 a.m. for the 5K run and walk. There will also be a free Tot Trot for children up to age 6 at 10:15 a.m.
SCHWAG: All Ridge Run participants receive tech/cotton blend T-shirts.
AWARDS: Prize money is awarded to the top 3 men and women in the 5K and 10K races.
Timing results and awards will be available starting 60 minutes after each race at the awards tent located next to the stage.
The Youth Mile Fun Run is not a timed race. Plaques will be awarded to the top boy and girl finishers.
INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: BAPA.org/ridgerun (Please note that online registration has ended.)
RIDGE RUN PRESENTING SPONSOR: Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers of Evergreen Park returns as the Ridge Run Presenting Sponsor. This year’s race physician is Dr. Ginny Hendricks. She and a crew of medical personnel will provide race day emergency attention at the finish line.
LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY FAMILY SERVICES TENT: Visit the LCMH Family Services tent in the park. Race participants and spectators can take advantage of free blood pressure checks and general health information. Children are invited to learn about good health and receive a free gift (while they last) from the Little Company of Mary volunteers.
DICK O’NEILL YOUTH MILE: Southtown Health Foods (2100 W. 95th St., Chicago) is the sponsor of the Dick O’Neill Youth Mile, one of the Chicago area’s few races dedicated to young runners. Open to ages 6 to 13, the one mile run encourages children to choose healthy activities and gives them a chance to compete on a real race course. Members of Chicago Special Olympics/Mount Greenwood Park Chapter will be leading the Youth Mile this year.
REFRESHMENTS/YOUTH ACTIVITIES: Runners, walkers, and spectators are invited to the new Cork and Kerry post-race festival area to enjoy food and beer available for purchase. Kids can also hone their sports skills with Bulls/Sox Youth Academy, enjoy the Nature’s Creatures Petting Zoo, and get some exercise in a patriotic jump house in the new Beverly Bank and Trust kids’ area.
Tots are invited to compete in the free Tot Trot, get their smiling faces painted and indulge in an Original Rainbow Cone.
RIDGE RUN SPONSORS: Ridge Run sponsors make this event possible. In addition to presenting sponsor Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers, other sponsors include: Mike Haggerty Buick, GMC, Volkswagen in Oak Lawn, Beverly Bank & Trust Co., Southtown Health Foods, AT&T, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, PLS, Cork & Kerry, Health Advocates, The Score 670 Chicago Sportsradio, WBBM Newsradio, Treadfit, Calabria Imports, 19th Ward Youth Foundation, Running Excels, County Fair Foods, The Beverly Review, Marathon Sportswear, Mariano’s, Country Financial, WSHE 100.3, Brickwork Financial Planning Ltd., Trace Ambulance, Dino Jump and Original Rainbow Cone.
WHERE PROCEEDS GO: Proceeds from the Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) Ridge Run and Memorial Day Parade serve the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park neighborhood with programs in community safety, school support, economic development, property preservation and housing, communications and more. Founded in 1947, BAPA is a not-for-profit civic organization.
Other area Memorial Day events (May 30):
- Catholic Cemeteries Mark Memorial Day With Field Masses, May 30
- Archbishop Cupich to Bless 'Heroic' Statue of St. Pope John Paul II, May 30
- Oak Lawn Memorial Day Observances, May 30
- Beverly Hills, Mt. Greenwood, Morgan park 2016 Ridge Run, May 30
- Beverly Hills, Mt. Greenwood, Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade, May 30
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