“Back to normal” will be the theme at 7:15 a.m. on Monday, July 4, as the 17th Elmhurst Runners Club 4 on the 4th race commences on S. Prospect Ave., between Elmhurst University and Wilder Park. An Elmhurst Fourth of July tradition since 2005, the 4-mile race attracts participants from Elmhurst, the Chicago area and multiple states. A Kids 1K for ages 5-12 follows the main event at 8:20 a.m. On-line registration is open for both events at 4on4th.com through race morning at Elmhurst University.
Packet/race bib pickup ahead of race day is available and strongly encouraged at Fleet Feet in Elmhurst on Saturday, July 2 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, July 3 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Pickup also will be available from 5:45-7 a.m. race morning at Elmhurst University behind the main gate. On-site registration also will be available during these hours, but T-shirt sizes could be limited or sold out by then.
“We are really looking forward to getting back to how things were before the pandemic,” race director Bob Richards of the Elmhurst Running Club said. “Hopefully, this year’s race will be a huge step in that direction.”
No race was held in 2020, and the 2021 event featured a capped field of 700 in the 4-mile divided into seven separate waves with no kids race.
The 4-mile route remains the same with runners going north on Prospect, east on Park, south on Cottage Hill, east on Harbour Terrace, north on York, east-north-west on Palmer, north on York to the turnaround, south on York, east on Schiller, south-west on Palmer, south on York, west on Elmwood Terrace, north on Cottage Hill, west on Park and south on Prospect to the finish. The Kids 1K will go north and back south on Prospect.
Defending champions are course-record holders Phillip Reid of San Luis Obispo, Calif. (19:06 in 2021), and Margaret Connelly of Glen Ellyn (winning time 22:12). Also running are George and Anita LeDonne of Elmhurst, who have run every 4 on the 4th, including running the course on their own in 2020 when the race was canceled.
“We look forward to a great morning of running, reigniting the event and celebrating the Fourth of July,” Richards said.
Gold level sponsors are Weil Foot & Ankle Institute Elmhurst, Fleet Feet Elmhurst and Pilot Pete’s Coffee & Treats Elmhurst.
For information and registration, go to 4on4th.com.
