River Revival Celebration at the Inaugural Race for the River 5K and Family Festival
More than 200 people gathered to celebrate the river’s renaissance and support equitable trail access at our inaugural Race for the River 5K and Family Festival on Saturday, September 21.
Beginner and experienced 5K participants began the trek in River Park along the North Branch of the Chicago River and ran, walked, or rolled to cheers from supporters along the North Shore Trail to Bernard Stone Park where they circled back to the finish line in River Park.
Families, friends, and children also enjoyed leisurely guided nature walks around River Park, as well as river-centric activities and water science experiments as they connected with community partners and enjoyed drinks and snacks during the Family Festival. Commissioners Daniel Pogorzelski and Yumeka Brown of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and State Senator Natalie Toro (20th district) greeted and congratulated all the enthusiastic participants.
“The Race for the River 5K is only possible because, over the last 40 years, the health of the river system has improved dramatically through the advocacy and action of Friends, the Chicago Park District, and so many more partners and committed community volunteers,” said Becky Lyons, Friends’ director of Equity and Engagement. “Our success is measured by the miles of river-edge trail; species of fish; a flourishing riverfront economy; and people in, on, and along the water at events like this. And River Park was the perfect setting to highlight and immerse ourselves in that revival.”
Click to watch news coverage of the event on ABC 7 and FOX 32.
Thank you to our generous sponsors Molson Coors (who also donated in-kind), Votorantim Cimentos Prairie Materials, and Westbank Riverwalk Coalition. Thanks also to Fleet Feet, our running specialty partner; 101.9 The MIX, our media partner; and to our in-kind sponsors: Open Water, WasteNot Compost, Wendella Cruises, and WM.
