Register Now for the 2016 Ridge Run

Advance registration is now underway for the 39th annual Ridge Run on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, with the post-race festival and the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park/Mount Greenwood Memorial Day Parade immediately following.

Hosted by the Beverly Area Planning Association, the Ridge Run offers several challenges for participants including a 10K and 5K run, an untimed 5K walk or marching in the parade. All races start and finish at Ridge Park, 96th and Longwood Drive, in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood.

Advance registration for the 10K run, 5K run/walk, 5K untimed walk and youth mile is open at BAPA’s Ridge Run website through noon, Mon., May 23. All runners must register by May 5 to guarantee receiving a t--shirt.

The youth mile, sponsored by Southtown Health Foods, is open to children ages 6 to 13. Members of Chicago Special Olympics/Mount Greenwood Park Chapter will be leading the Youth Mile this year.

Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. May 30. Ridge Run begins with the 10K at 8 a.m., followed by the youth mile at 8:10 a.m., and 5K at 9:30 a.m.

Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers of Evergreen Park is the presenting sponsor. LCMH Family and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Ginny Hendricks, will serve as the Ridge Run doctor. The hospital also generously supplies the First Aid tent, as well as free, on-site blood pressure checks and general health information. Children are invited to learn more about good health and receive a free gift (while they last) from the Little Company of Mary volunteers.

Comedian Pat McGann and WGN-TV’s Patrick Elwood will be announcing recaes and emceeing the morning’s activities.

The Youth Mile, sponsored by Southtown Health Foods, is open to children age 6 to 13. Setting the pace for the kids’ run are members of Chicago Special Olympics/Mount Greenwood Park Chapter.

New this year is Team Town, where teams are encouraged to register and set up tents. The Ridge Run finish line has been moved off Longwood Drive and into Ridge Park, taking runners right into the new Cork and Kerry post-race festival area. Runners and spectators are invited to enjoy food and beer available for purchase, a children’s area, sponsor information, race results and runner refreshments. All runners over age 21 will receive a free beer.

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.

The 10K route has been revised and recertified. The 10K is sponsored by Mike Haggerty Buick GMC. Volkswagen Oak Lawn is sponsor of the 10K and supplies the Ridge Run pace car.

To register in advance online or for more information visit 2016 Ridge Run.