Ridge Run 2017 Draws Hundreds Of Runners: GALLERY

CHICAGO, IL -- A picturesque Memorial Day morning made for the prime backdrop for one of the Beverly-Morgan Park area's most cherished yearly events. Monday marked the 40th year for the annual Ridge Run, the oldest 10K event in the city of Chicago. The 10K run was followed by an even more popular (in numbers) 5K race and then a Memorial Day Parade that heads north from 110th Street to Ridge Park, where a large gathering took place after the parade.

"It was a great day in Beverly and Morgan Park today," Beverly Area Planning Association Executive Director Margot Holland said. "It's always my favorite day in the neighborhood and to see the weather today and so many people coming out. It really was a special day."

Scroll down below the article to find many photos from this year's Ridge Run!

Holland said the Memorial Day ceremony held in Ridge Park, where hundreds of community members gathered to remember America's fallen heroes, stood out as a special moment.

The Ridge Run brought in more than 2,600 runners, according to Holland. It has seen a sharp increase in popularity over the last couple of years when the course was altered to include a finish inside Ridge Park rather than a neighborhood street.

"It's more of a festival now," Holland said. "Runners finish the race and they are already in the park."

Kyle Hauser, 22 won the 10K event by more than a minute over his closest competitor, 33-year-old John Craig. Eric Hoffman, Phil McNeal and Jason Rush rounded out the top five men in the 10K.

Nora Ferguson was the top female finisher in the 10K. She was followed by Stacia Klasen, Allison Parker, Meg Sullivan and Angellica Guerrero.

The 5K leaderboard was dominated by teenagers. Diego Arana, 17; Anthony Tuman, 18; Jacob Krodick, 14 and Matthew Olech, 14 were the top four. Martin Martineagu, 42 was fifth. Rhiannon O'Keefe was the top female finisher in the 5K and was followed by Merrigan Allen, Jane Bareikis, Daniela Munoz and Kathryn Morris.

The parade had more than 40 entries. Churches, organizations and social groups joined bagpipers and the always popular Jesse White Tumblers and Morgan Park High School band in the parade.

See the full results from the Ridge Run 10K/5K

Photos by Tim Moran / Patch.com