One of the more unique 5K races in the Chicago region takes place in Lake Forest this weekend
The ninth annual Twilight Run, Walk and Roll starts at the Gorton Community Center at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Organized by the Great Lake Adaptive Sports Association, the race attracts participants with disabilities and participants without.
“It is unique,” said Ed Zylka, executive director of the Chicago Area Runners Association and a co-founder of the Twilight Run, Walk and Roll. “It’s the only mixed race of able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability in Chicago. You may find other races that support a small number of physically disabled athletes. This is the only one set up to support both types of runners.”
In 2016, there are close to 90 races in the Chicago area that are certified by Chicago Area Runners Association, Zylka said.
GLASA, which is based in Lake Forest, has an equipment lending program for people in its programs, said Cherie Hrusovsky, race organizer. This week GLASA staff is working with some participants to fit them for racing chairs or hand cycles. A guide runner will accompany participants who are blind or visually impaired.
But all of that is routine for GLASA, which works with athletes with physical or visual disabilities year-round.
“Our biggest concern is the weather (on race day),” Hrusovsky said.
Among the participants on Aug. 13 will be Ana Kohout, a senior at Lake Forest High School who has taken part in the event for the past several years. Kohout, who has spina bifida, will be participating in a racing wheelchair.
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“I’d like to lower my time,” Kohout said, although she’s not particularly worried about it. “I’m not very competitive with this race, I just find it fun. It’s nice to go by the lake and afterward it turns into a party.”
The race costs about $13,000 to put on and depends on 150 to 200 volunteers, Hrusovsky said. The race route is roughly square and goes by both Forest Park and Triangle Park. And there’s a post-race party at the Gorton Community Center that is open to the public.
For more information, go to glasatwilight.org.
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