Not all the Runs for the Roses take place in Kentucky.
La Grange Park held its own version — and this one involved human participants— on Saturday as 192 runners and walker took part in a 5K run/walk through the community.
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The race was dubbed with a flower-inspired name because the community calls itself the Village of Roses, said Alecs Briedis, park district executive director.
This is the 25th year of the Run for the Roses that, despite rainy, cool weather, attracted a few more participants than last year’s race that drew 182.
The top finisher overall for the women was Stacy McCarty, 46, of La Grange Park. She finished the course that started and ended at Forest Road School in a time of 21:38.
The first-place finisher among the men overall was Ryan Jaskiewicz of La Grange Park, who also came in first last year. He clocked a time of 15:39.
A husband and wife duo took top honors among the walkers. Doris McGuire, 67, crossed the finish line with a time of 35:44. McGuire’s husband, Richard, was just a few steps ahead of her and finished the course in 33:04.
“She and her husband win the race year after year. They’re incredible,” said Nancy Daum, assistant office manager for the park district.
While the results were tabulated, the participants and their families and friends got to have a little fun. They listened to music spun by DJ, worked off more calories by jumping in a bouncy castle and enjoyed the antics of a clown.
Briedis said the party brings the community together.
“They play around. They have fun. They socialize. It’s a family event,” he said.
The 5K proceeds benefit the park district’s scholarship fund that provides money to cover program costs for people who are unable to afford them, he said.
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