The 20th Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th will kick off the Fourth of July in Elmhurst at 7:15 a.m. on Friday.
“It will be a celebration of 20 great years of racing on the beautiful streets of Elmhurst and giving back to a community that is known nationwide as a great place for running,” said race director Bob Richards of the Elmhurst Running Club. “From a humble start in 2005, we’ve built this race into a true showcase event for Elmhurst and one of the stongest races in the Chicago area.”
The 4-mile run starts and finishes just south of the Elmhurst University Main Gate on S. Prospect Avenue. The race has attracted participants from Elmhurst, many surrounding communities and more than 20 states. A field of 1,500 is expected.
Defending champions Chandler Gibbens of Chicago and Margaret Connelly of Glen Ellyn are not entered, leaving the men’s and women’s races wide open. The fields will be very strong, Richards said.
“Fast or slow, young or old, we want everyone to have a safe and fun morning as we start the holiday sparkle,” Richards said.
The accompanying Kids 1K (ages 5-12), run entirely on S. Prospect, goes off at 8:20. Close to 200 runners are expected.
Information, sponsors and late registration are available at 4on4th.run.