Chamber’s 36th annual 10K race steps off Sunday

SYCAMORE – The 36th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Run 10K Road Race, presented by the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce and KishHealth System, will be held at 9:35 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the park just east of the National Guard Armory on Route 64.

Race registration forms are available online at sycamorepumpkinrun10k.wordpress.com and Eventbrite.com. Also available on the race website is a detailed route map, photos of past races and 2013 race results.

The first 1,800 registered runners will receive a long-sleeved chili-pepper red “dry-release” race shirt.

The entire race is staffed by experienced race crew presented by Illinois Community Credit Union. There are three water stations and six visible mile markers that have visual display clocks for this 6.2-mile race.

This year the race will use ChronoTrack timing by Lakeshore Athletic Services. Results will be provided to all runners immediately following the race.

The race is sanctioned by USA Track and Field and the course is USATF certified.

The route starts at the corner of Kishwaukee Drive and heads west on Route 64 past the historic DeKalb County Courthouse. Runners will continue through the downtown Sycamore business district and then south on Somonauk Street to Bethany Road where the route turns east. The route turns north at Airport Road where runners cross the winding Kishwaukee River and run up a slight hill past Chapel in the Pines. The final mile-and-a-half winds through Sycamore’s park complex.

After crossing the finish line, racers are welcomed by volunteers who have prepared post-race refreshments, which are located in the National Guard Armory. Racers age 21 and older are treated to Oktoberfest beer. Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will provide post-race stretching as they have done in the past.

Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in 13 age divisions and the first male and female finishers from Sycamore. Age divisions are: 14 and younger, 15 to 19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, and 80 and older.

The entry fee is $30 online until Oct. 23. Registration on race day is $35 and is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the National Guard Armory in Sycamore, 516 E. State St.

Visit sycamorepumpkinrun10k.wordpress.com or call the Sycamore Chamber at 815-895-3456 to learn more about this year’s event. The race has a Facebook fan page where participants can share photos and comments with other runners.