Sunday’s Graham’s Fine Chocolate and Ice Cream Summer Sundae 5K puts the best of both worlds at either end of the start/finish line.
The late benefactor of the inaugural event often lived the same way, so let there be sundaes after the 3.1-mile race.
Part of the proceeds will go to the Mikey Wunderlich Foundation for the American Cancer Society. The foundation honors the mother-in-law of Graham’s graphic designer and race organizer Jayni
Wunderlich, daughter of Graham’s owners Bob and Becky Untiedt. Mikey Wunderlich died in February after fighting cervical cancer for nearly two years, but her family hopes to spread her spirit at Geneva’s Island Park at 8 a.m. Sunday.
"She loved running. She loved ice cream," Jayni Wunderlich said. "She was just absolutely full of life."
Mikey Wunderlich was given nine to 12 months to live upon her March 2009 diagnosis. Instead, she made it 23.
An avid runner who completed her last of many Chicago Marathons in 2008, Wunderlich found she had one last race left in November.
With the family gathered in downtown Chicago for the Hot Chocolate 5K, Wunderlich could only watch for a few minutes before checking her wheelchair and joining the walkers.
“We were scared to death for her, but she finished,” Jayni Wunderlich said. “She never gave up.”
“Never Give Up” is the foundation’s motto, and figures to be featured prominently on Sunday. The Wunderlich and Untiedt families initially brainstormed their own winter “hot chocolate” run, but the confectioners ultimately decided a summer event had more novelty.
About 250 runners have entered the field, with plenty of room to spare. Registration costs $39 for the run and walk and remains open until race day. Interested athletes can sign up at Graham’s, located at 302 S. Third St. in Geneva, from 3 to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Wunderlich said the family is optimistic the event can grow into its 1,500-athlete capacity while one day weaving the course into Geneva’s downtown and finishing at the store.
On Sunday, however, Graham’s will come to participants. In addition to various prizes from Dick Pond Athletics, runners will receive a green fleece vest and a free sundae. A make-your-own sundae station will be set up just a few feet away from the finish line, complete with vanilla ice cream and several toppings and syrups.
Call it the ultimate cool-down – the best of both worlds.
Notes on an anthem: Whittier College religious studies professor Joe Price delivered the "Star-Spangled Banner" without a hitch before Wednesday night's Cougars game, making it 77 renditions of the song in minor league parks this summer.
Price is taking a five-month sabbatical from Whittier to tour the country and research a book exploring the ritual nature of the national anthem. He’s traveling by rented RV and towed-along Saturn with his wife, Bonnie, a recently retired schoolteacher.
The Prices docked their RV in north suburban Volo for much of the week and awoke Wednesday morning to four inches of water on the roadway in their camp. Ominous skies and forecasts had Joe Price wondering whether he’d even venture to Elfstrom Stadium.
“It was a nice day considering I wasn’t sure we’d even get it in,” he said.
The couple planned to remain in Chicagoland to celebrate Bonnie’s 63rd birthday before resuming the tour this weekend.
Joe completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Chicago.
• Kevin Druley is a sportswriter for the Kane County Chronicle. He can be reached at 630-845-5347 or kdruley@kcchronicle.com.