A crisp fall morning brought a record-breaking 7,000 participants to the annual AIDS Foundation ( AFC ) 5K Run & Walk Chicago Oct. 3 in Grant Park.
Prior to the race, AFC organizers welcomed the masses, announcing the $2 million the event had netted for over 100 community organizations that benefit those with HIV and AIDS. The stage was then introduced a variety of motivational speakers, entertainers and political figures. U.S. Congressman ( and Cook County Board President candidate ) Danny Davis was among the guests who highlighted the "urgency" of fighting this epidemic. The pre-race continued with participants gathering in the Health & Fitness Village, a section of the park sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health that was dotted with tents and booths featuring a variety of HIV/AIDS organizations.
Race winners for the run portion of the event were later announced. Marcus Thomas was the top male runner with a time of 18:12 while Kristen Scolarici was the first woman to cross the line, with a time of 20:49.
The event closed with more after-race refreshments and entertainment featuring spoken word by Young Chicago Authors. This was AFC's eighth Run & Walk event in Chicago. Text by Byron Flitsch and photos by Kat Fitzgerald ( MysticImagesPhotography.com ) . See many more photos online at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
