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Settlers Hill in Geneva opens its cross country course Saturday

Ribbon cutting ceremony to precede 1st race

In this file photo, then-Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen speaks at the groundbreaking of the Northwestern Medicine Cross Country Course at the closed Settlers Hill Landfill in Geneva. The course was expected to be completed by fall of 2019, but is scheduled to open for its first races Aug. 28, 2021. (Brenda Schory)

By Kane County Chronicle staff report

GENEVA – The Northwestern Medicine Cross Country Course at Settler’s Hill in Geneva is now complete and officially opens on Saturday with an early morning ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The event is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, at 919 E. Fabyan Parkway, in front of the starting line, officials announced in a news release.

Settlers Hill Landfill operated for 24 years as the primary waste disposal site for Kane, DuPage and western Cook counties, then closed in 2006, officials said.

The decades that Kane County collected tipping fees from the landfill paid to create the cross country course, which cost about $3 million. The site also features a natural recreational area.

Northwestern Medicine paid the county $75,000 as part of a five-year naming rights contract for the course. The money will be used to fund the course’s maintenance, officials said.

The course has been a joint project with the city of Geneva, Kane County Forest Preserve and Northwestern Medicine, according to the release.

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns noted Saturday’s event was a long time coming.

“Like a cross country race itself, the endurance and determination of so many has helped us complete this 11-year event and we not be more proud to celebrate our accomplishment,” Burns said.

The course has an 80-meter-wide curved starting line and a 550 meter starting straightaway. It was designed for large high school and college meets, but is a venue for all ages and open to the public. It is NCAA certified and is scheduled for five high level high school and college meets this fall.

Located and adjacent to the Kane County Cougars stadium, the course provides athletes and spectators with panoramic views of both the Fox River Valley and the Chicago skyline.

The view from the top of the shuttered Settlers Hill Landfill in Geneva will be an attraction once the cross-country course and network of trails is completed, Kane County officials said. The top of the landfill is 880 feet above sea level, the second-highest elevation in southern Kane County. The view includes the Chicago skyline on a clear day, officials said. (Photo provided)

Parking is located at the Kane County Cougars stadium, 34w002 Cherry Lane, Geneva Township.

High schools scheduled to participate in Saturday’s cross county meet are Aurora Central Catholic, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East, Marmion Academy, Kaneland, Elgin, South Elgin, Burlington Central, Hampshire, East Aurora and St. Edward Central Catholic.

The St. Charles East Leavey Invitational is scheduled for Sept. 4; the Aurora University Spartan Classic is scheduled for Sept. 10; the Fox Valley Middle School Conference Meet is scheduled for Sept. 25; the IHSA Class 3A Regional is scheduled for Oct. 23.

The Chicago Area Track & Field Organizing Committee organizes all the cross country events. Spectators are asked to make a minimum donation of $3 per adult, $1 per high school student, and free for under 14. All donations go to support course maintenance. Fees are only collected on the days of competition.

The organization, which is a nonprofit, promotes cross country, track and field, and road racing in the metropolitan Chicago area.

Kane County