MM_050417

mokenamessenger.com news
the Mokena Messenger | May 4, 2017 | 5
Run launches race season, supports classrooms
Amanda Del Buono
Freelance Reporter
Jacob Heimlich, of Frankfort, finishes first in the men’s division of the Lincoln-Way Half
Marathon Saturday, April 29, in Frankfort. Photos By Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
Dana Decker had never
run in a race until Saturday,
April 29. Training for the
Chicago Marathon, which
takes place in October, she
saw a great training opportunity
in the Lincoln-Way
High School District 210
Foundation’s Half Marathon,
which took place on
Saturday morning.
“I thought it was a great
experience,” said Decker, a
Tinley Park resident. “It was
really nice to go off on a different
path.”
More than 150 runners
gathered at Breidert Green
in Frankfort to participate
in Lincoln-Way Foundation’s
inaugural half marathon.
The chip-timed half
marathon started and ended
at Breidert Green in downtown
Frankfort. The route
snaked west on Old Plank
Trail, then into Hickory
Creek Forest Preserve and
turned around at the Hickory
Creek Barrens.
The race was previously
known as the Frankfort Half
Marathon and was recently
handed over to the foundation
in order to benefit a nonprofit,
said Stacie McGlone,
chairperson of the event for
the Lincoln-Way Foundation.
“Basically, we want to let
the community know about
us and create funds that go toward
our mission,” she said.
The foundation plans to
continue the half marathon
event going forward and intends
to make improvements
next year.
“We just wanted it to be a
successful event,” McGlone
said. “Being our first time
doing the event, we certainly
learned a lot.”
All proceeds from the
event will go toward the
foundation’s mission to
“creatively generate financial
support with which to
enrich and enhance the opportunities
and educational
experiences of Lincoln-Way
High School District 210
students,” according to the
foundation’s website.
Lincoln-Way Foundation
President Dave Zang said
that the foundation has given
more than $4 million to the
district in 20 years.
“We provide a lot of technology
in classrooms,” he
said. “What we do benefits
all students in Lincoln-Way.
When we make a donation,
we try to make sure it touches
all of the kids we can.”
Supporting the foundation
was the main purpose of participating
for some runners.
Mokena resident Maggie
Palermini graduated from
Lincoln-Way East in 2011
and was glad to support the
school district.
“I did this one for the
cause, not so much for the
time,” she said. “It was a
lot more challenging than
I thought it would be, but I
also like a new challenge.”
The second marathon she
participated in during April,
Palermini added that she appreciated
that this one was
close to home.
For others, the event served
as a kickoff and training opportunity
to their race season.
Frankfort resident Bill Gray
said that he was participating
in an effort to get ready for
another race in May.
Racing in six to seven
races a year, he said that he
appreciated the close parking,
water stops and all of
the volunteers.
McGlone said that the
event was benefitted by having
many volunteers who
helped organize and run various
aspects of the race.
“I’d like to say thank you
to all of the sponsors and
volunteers and their involvement.
We couldn’t have done
it without them,” she said.
Melissa Williams approaches the finish line to win the
women’s division. The event supported the Lincoln-Way
Foundation’s education initiatives.
Runners approach the end of the course on Old Plank Road
Trail.
Broker - Management Team
“10”