Schools

Village's First 10k Race to Raise Money for Plainfield North HS

The Fast Cat event on March 31 will also feature a 5k race, a 2x5k relay race and a fun run for children.

Plainfield’s first 10K race – a fundraiser for ’s track and field program – will be held March 31.

The 6.2-mile race route for the Fast Cat event starts and ends at Plainfield North, traveling north on 119th Street and south on 248th Street and passing through the Crossings at Wolf Creek and the Auburn Lakes subdivisions. There will also be a 5k race, 2x5k relay (two participants, completing one half) and a one-mile run for children ages 5 to 12.

Organizer Andy Derks, PNHS’ assistant track and field coach, told the last week the idea was to organize a race that inconveniences as few people as possible while taking advantage of several beautiful areas that will “showcase a part of Plainfield most people never see,” including the jogging path through the wetlands north of 119th Street.

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“Once we found out there’s never been a 10k race (in Plainfield), that made us want to do it all the more,” Derks told the board. “It’s a good length.”

The larger goal is to raise money to fund travel expenses, warm-up uniforms and other things used by the track and field team that the cannot afford to provide, Derks said. It’s estimated the event could raise as much as $4,000, he said.

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The people most likely to be inconvenienced by the two-hour event are those who live along Millenium Parkway, who will be unable to get their cars out of their driveways while their street is closed for the race. Surveys were sent to the 18 households affected, and eight responded that they had no problem with the event and one family said they had minor concerns, Derk said.

At the request of the board, a second letter will be sent to residents to ensure they’ve had a chance to weigh in on the event.

Also, it’s possible the race will start a half an hour earlier than the 8:30 a.m. time proposed by organizers if it’s deemed to be more convenient for the residents.

The organizers, who have been working with Chief John Konopek, will need about 10 community service officers and/or Plainfield Emergency Management Agency members to provide traffic control. The estimated $500 expense incurred by the village will be reimbursed from money raised by the event.

The 5k and 10k run entrance fee is $30, with a $10 discount for students 13 to 18. The 2x5k relay is $40 for two people, and the Kids Fun Run fee is $10. Registration closing date is March 28.

For more information or to register, go to www.runfastcat.com.


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