Runners, walkers gear up for Thanksgiving Day Race

Created: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 1:57 p.m. CDT

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Runners and walkers are preparing for the annual Thanksgiving Day Race in Crystal Lake.

The free 5-kilometer race starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at Lippold Park, located west of Route 14 on Route 176. Put on by the Hillstriders Running Club, it serves as a food drive for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

Participants are asked to bring a food item or make a monetary donation to the pantry, said Jerry Sullivan, a longtime member of the running club and a member of the Crystal Lake Park District Board.

Registration is required and can be done the day of the race from 6 to 7:30 a.m.

The race started nearly a decade ago with about 75 runners and has grown over the years. More than 700 people took part last year, Sullivan said.

"We encourage runners, walkers, and families to come out and get some exercise before their big meal," he said.

Though the race is timed and the results are posted online, Sullivan described it as "very low-key."

For information, visit www. hillstriders .com, or call Jerry Sullivan at 815-245-5122 or Bob Walsh at 815-715-3855. Registration forms are available on the website.