Ridge Run 2021: What You Need To Know

CHICAGO — Following the COVID-required cancellation of last year's Ridge Run, the Beverly Area Planning Association will host its 43rd running of the races on Labor Day weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 4, runners of all ages, paces and distances will compete to win, race to place in age categories ranging from 6 to 80 or simply run or walk beat their personal best times.

Although it's a big change to shift from spring to fall this year, the Ridge Run offers the full schedule of races:10K run, 5K run and walk, 10K + 5K Challenge, and Youth Mile. Cheering spectators line the route, offering encouragement, water and energy to the runners. Races start and finish at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Drive.

Patrick Elwood, a familiar face on WGN News, will serve as the Ridge Run race announcer at the start/finish line. A South Side neighbor, Elwood joined WGN-TV in 2013. His career highlights include covering the White Sox World Series, two Blackhawks Championships, the Bears Super Bowl and the Oklahoma City Bombing, for which he earned a Peabody Award. Elwood counts his work raising funds for and awareness of the St. Baldrick's Foundation among his most important accomplishments.

Presenting sponsor of the Ridge Run is OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center, which generously provides the day's health necessities including the Ridge Run doctor and first aid tent, as well as with general health information.

Registration Schedule

Ridge Run registration continues through race day morning for participants.
Online registration closed at midnight, Aug. 29 but in-person advance sign-up and packet pick up will be held Tuesday., Aug. 31 and Wed., Sept. 1, noon to 7 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 2, noon to 5 p.m. at Running Excels, 10328 S. Western, and Friday, Sept. 3, noon to 5 p.m. at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr.

Race Day packet pick-up and registration is Sat., Sept. 4, 6:30 to 9 a.m. at Ridge Park. 10K and Youth Mile registration closes at 7:30 a.m., and 5K registration closes at 9 a.m. Fees increase for race-day registration.

Spectators are encouraged to carry-on the tradition of cheering on runners and walkers, and playing music all along the routes.

Race Day Schedule

• September 4 6:30 AM - Registration Opens, Ridge Park
• September 4 7:30 AM - Youth Mile and 10K Registration Closes
• September 4 8:00 AM - 10K Race Start
• September 4 8:10 AM - Youth Mile Start
• September 4 9:00 AM - 5K Registration Closes
• September 4 9:30 AM - 5K Race Start

Race Day Activities at the Park

There's always a flurry of activity at Ridge Park on race day, and BAPA has made sure there's plenty for both runners and spectators.
F45 Training will hold runner warm-ups for the 10K and 5K runs.
Core Fitness and Physical Therapy will offer stretching for runners.
Live and Believe (LAB) Nutrition will be selling healthy beverages.
The Rainbow Truck will be selling Original Rainbow Cone ice cream.
The Calabria food truck will sell sandwiches and sides.
Home Run Inn pizza slices and beer will be available for purchase.
BAPA's Tot Trot for little runners will be held at 10:15 a.m.
Beverly Arts Center will take over the Kid Zone, offering a variety of fun and creative activities.
Beverly Records DJ Jon Dreznes will spin tunes during the races.
WHSE radio will play music in the park.
Volunteers are needed to help with the Ridge Run, and a variety of dates and tasks are available. Sign up at www.bapa.org on the Ridge Run page or call 773-233-3100 for more information.
In 2022, the BAPA Ridge Run and Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will be held on Memorial Day.

Ridge Run Sponsors

Thank you to all of the Ridge Run sponsors without whose support BAPA could not present this event: OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Mike Haggerty Buick-GMC, Blue Door Neighborhood Center, Always Ready Repair Heating & Cooling, County Fair, Rogers Roofing, Keir Foot & Ankle Specialists, F45 Training, CIBC Bank, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, Southtown Health Foods, Smith Village, 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea, Core Fitness, LAB Nutrition, Beverly Arts Center, Original Rainbow Cone, The Beverly Review, Running Excels, Meijer, Beverly Records, Calabria Imports, Chicago Park District, WHSE radio and Trace Ambulance.
For more information about the Ridge Run or Memorial Day Parade, contact the Beverly Area Planning Association, 773-233-3100, bapa@bapa.org or www.bapa.org.

This press release was produced by the Beverly Area Planning Association. The views expressed here are the author's own.