ENGLEWOOD — The first Ditch the Weight & Guns Englewood 5K Walk & Run was so successful organizers think 3,000 people — triple the number of people that took part last year — will hit the streets this year.
The Nov. 1 event, which is organized by Forever Fitness Chicago LLC, will start at Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave.
"The inaugural and historical race that took place last year exceeded all expectations,” Forever Fitness Chicago owner and race director Andrea NaTay said.
In 2014, she predicted 500 runners would take part, but ended up with almost 1,000. Nearly 800 people have registered so far this year, said NaTay, who believes that the event will draw at least 3,000 people. The first 3,000 individuals to cross the finish line will earn medals and T-shirts.
“To ensure a successful second annual Ditch the Weight & Guns Englewood 5K Walk & Run, over the past year, we have built strong community relationships,” NaTay said. “Relationships are vital in any community. In addition, we utilize target marketing to recruit and retain participants, volunteers, and sponsors.”
Community sponsors this year include: Teamwork Englewood, Whole Foods, Resident Association of Greater Englewood, Chicago Urban League, Metropolitan Family Services, and Dream Cafe & Grille. Pepsi is supporting the 5K, too, by donating 6,000 bottles of Aquafina. Also, BlackDoctor.org will provide prerace warmup stretches.
Proceeds will go to Harper High School, NaTay's former high school. She graduated in 1998. She wants to help the school purchase a commercial juicer and a commercial blender and provide fresh fruits and vegetables for up to six months. Last year, raised funds helped the school’s athletic department purchase equipment and uniforms.
The 5K is about promoting health and fitness, while promoting peace, NaTay said.
She said she recognizes that one event won’t put an end to the violence.
"Sadly, yet realistically, one single event will not change the climate of an underserved community,” she said. “The sum of repetitious small steps and changes lead to long term results. Steps that lead to long term results include the collaborative work of several organizations, parents, businesses, schools, churches, the police, the City of Chicago, and the community.”
The Englewood native's work didn’t end with the first 5K. She partnered with the Resident Association of Greater Englewood to offer the community a free eight-week boot camp. More than 75 people participated on the first day, and many still train with NaTay.
She later partnered with Cooking Matters and Magnifying Urban Realities and Affecting Lives, formerly the Lupe Fiasco Foundation, to provide a free six-week healthy cooking class. The goal was to educate the Greater Englewood community on reading food labels, portions, calories, etc.
NaTay also took on the role of League Coordinator for the Englewood Police/Youth Baseball League. Partners include Teamwork Englewood, Chicago Park District, Get IN Chicago and the Police Department's Englewood District.
Runners can still register online at www.Englewood5k.com or onsite at 8:30 a.m. the day of the race. The 5K begins at 10 a.m. For those who want to be timed, the cost is $25, while it's $20 for runners who go untimed. Onsite registration is $10 more.
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