Palatine Businessman Honored with Community Leadership Award

The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition has selected Aaron Del Mar, founder of Adrenaline Special Events and the Santa Hustle Race Series, LLC. to receive a 2019 President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Community Leadership Award. The award is given annually to individuals or organizations who improve the lives of others within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activity, fitness, or nutrition-related programs.

Adrenaline Special Events is based in Palatine, Illinois and manages/produces food-themed or holiday-themed 5Ks in the Chicagoland area, including the Bunny Rock 5K (Vernon Hills and Chicago), Uncle Sam 5K (Palatine), Italian Beef 5K (Chicago), Taco Tuesday 5K (Chicago), Stan’s Donuts 5K (Chicago), Gino’s East 5K (Chicago), Candy Dash (Chicago) and the Halloween Hustle (Palatine).

The Santa Hustle Race Series, LLC began with the Chicago Santa Hustle in 2008, and has expanded to nine other locations across the country, including Belmont (North Carolina), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Indianapolis (Indiana), Galveston (Texas), Glendale (Arizona), Roseville (California), Sandusky (Ohio), Sevierville (Tennessee) and South Portland (Maine).

“When I began managing races more than a decade ago, we were very small and my goal was to create an experience for the participant – whatever their fitness level,” Del Mar said. “What has organically happened is that our 5Ks and half marathons have inspired people to get more fit and stay active, while they create lasting memories with friends and loved ones.”

“We are proud to recognize Aaron Del Mar for the work he and his team has done to consistently promote opportunities for individuals to lead healthy lifestyles through Adrenaline Special Events and the Santa Hustle Race Series, LLC,” said Kristina Harder, acting Executive Director of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. “Because of his meaningful efforts and impactful contributions, we are one step closer to improving the physical fitness, health, and nutrition of all Americans. Aaron’s work reaches not only his community, but also serves as a shining example to inspire and motivate others across the United States to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.”

“We started small with the Halloween Hustle in Palatine and have now grown to manage and execute 20 5Ks and/or half marathons in Chicagoland and across the U.S.,” Del Mar said. “I’m proud, but also very humbled by this recognition.”

This year, the President’s Council presented the Community Leadership Award to 31 recipients across the country. These individuals and organizations have all made an impact by doing work in an area of the Council’s mission, successfully serving the people in their communities through sports, physical activity, fitness, and nutrition-related programs. A full listing of the 2019 Community Leadership Awardees is available on fitness.gov.