THE HIGHWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB AND WHOLE FOODS MARKET DEERFIELD ARE PROUD TO HOST THE 4TH ANNUAL 5K PUMPKIN RUN, WALK AND KIDS’ DASH BENEFITING ST. BALDRICK’S
Sunday, October 20th, 9am – raising money for lifesaving pediatric cancer research
HIGHWOOD, IL (OCTOBER 20, 2013) – In its fourth year, the Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest’s 5K Pumpkin Run, Walk and Kids' Dash will bring some 1,000 participants to town in an effort to raise awareness and support for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research. Kicking off at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 20 participants will run and walk from Waukegan Avenue and Walker, in front of The Bent Fork Bakery, while passing by more than 30,000 carved pumpkins to celebrate the season and to raise money and awareness for a great cause. Costumes are welcome!
Participants are encouraged to register online for the race and if feeling adventurous, can also sign up for the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event on Saturday, October 19 from 3-6 p.m. to have their head shaved by a team of volunteer stylists to further support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. A discount will be offered to those brave enough to shave their head and race for St. Baldrick’s with an option to raise additional monies to support their efforts. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers, supporters and donors are needed to continue the battle against this devastating disease. Beginning October 5, the cost of the race will increase from $35 to $45 for Run/Walk and from $10 to $15 for the Kids’ Dash. Online run registration will close Saturday, October 17. Participants can also register at packet pick up times at Midtown Athletic Club or during Pumpkin Fest at the Midtown Booth or day of race.
Midtown Athletic Club is hosting a pumpkin packet pick-up party chock full of festive food and drink from it’s M Café on October 15 from 4-7 p.m. for all participants at 2211 Waukegan Road. Packet pick-up will also be available the morning of October 16 at Midtown.
Midtown will also offer pick-up at their booth throughout the Fest and day of registration beginning at 7:30 a.m., as well as high energy family and youth warm-up activities beginning at 8:30 a.m. and post-race cool down stretches. Midtown trainers will also be onsite for post-race personal stretching and massage. Whole Foods Market will provide all healthy race day goodies for fueling!
The day kicks-off with the Kids’ Dash, roughly 350 meters long, followed by the 5K run and walk beginning at 9 a.m. sharp. The 5K events follow a scenic route with mixed terrain through Highwood and Fort Sheridan. The course will start in front of Bent Fork Bakery, at Walker Avenue and Sheridan Road, and go north into the beautiful grounds of Fort Sheridan and loop back to the finish/start line.
For more information on the Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest, please go to www.highwoodpumpkinfest.com, or call 847.432.6000.
ABOUT ST. BALDRICK’S FOUNDATION
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick’s coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $125 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.
ABOUT MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUBS
Midtown Athletic Clubs is a leader in the upscale fitness club and sports resort industry. What began as a single tennis club in Chicago in 1970, Midtown is now comprised of 10 full-service tennis and fitness facilities throughout the United States and Canada. Locations in Illinois include Chicago, Bannockburn, Oak Park, Palatine and Willowbrook. Other clubs are operated in Atlanta, GA; Overland Park, KS; Rochester, NY; Weston, FL and Montreal, QC. Midtown features a variety of dynamic tennis programs, the latest cardio and strength training equipment, group fitness classes, personal training and spa services. The clubs offer a warm, inviting atmosphere and provide a special place to connect with family, make new friends and get fit. For more information on Midtown Athletic Club in Bannockburn, call (847) 945-1818 or visit www.midtown.com.
ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods and America's first national “Certified Organic” grocer. In fiscal year 2012, the Company had sales of approximately $12 billion and currently has 355 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs approximately 76,000 team members and has been ranked for 16 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by Fortune magazine.
ABOUT THE HIGHWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Highwood Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting and improving the business community in Highwood, Illinois. The Chamber continues to improve the unique and vibrant city through special events, cultivating new business, and implementing successful business strategies. Known as a “regional chamber”, Highwood provides businesses from all over Illinois and Wisconsin with valuable networking opportunities. 2013 marks the 50th anniversary for the Highwood Chamber.
The Highwood Chamber of Commerce is located at 445 Sheridan Road, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 305, Highwood, IL 60040. For more information, please visit www.highwoodchamberofcommerce.com, www.celebratehighwood.com, or call 847.433.2100.
