Fitness For America sports fest returns to Hoffman Estates Saturday

Elite skaters prepare for the start of last year's inline skating marathon in Hoffman Estates. Daily Herald File Photo

Runners line up for the start of the race at the Fitness For America Sports Festival. Courtesy of Hoffman Estates

The AMITA Health Fitness For America Sports Festival kicks off a full day of activity in Hoffman Estates on Saturday, July 23, with a half marathon, glow run, inline skating competition and other events.

The annual event, sponsored by AMITA Health, draws professional athletes and amateurs alike. It opens with the inline skating competition, which begins at 7:30 a.m. The free kids inline 200 meter dash follows at 9 a.m., and awards for the skating races will be given out later that morning.

All skill levels participate, and the scenic courses go through North Hoffman Estates, Paul Douglas Forest Preserve and the AT&T complex on roads and paved trails.

Registration closed on Thursday, but there is plenty for spectators to enjoy.

The half marathon and 10K start at 5:45 p.m. The 5K starts at 6:15 p.m. and the kids 200 meter dash starts at 7:15 p.m.

The run will start at 2046 Lakewood Boulevard and will continue through surrounding parks. The event will end with the glow run, which starts at 9:15 p.m., right after the costume contest.

The course is 1980s themed and, according to the website, participants "will be taking selfies galore in front of huge glowing boomboxes, giant glowing '80s mobile phones, light shows and more."

Registration for this event is open until Saturday.

Participants in the festival will be contributing to raising awareness and research for Huntington's disease. The official charity for it is Team Run for HD.

"We're really excited for the big day," said Rachel Buck, co-organizer of Team Run for HD. "We're glad (AMITA) is giving us the platform for raising awareness and funds."

Buck said she and her best friend, Sara Dean, started organizing events to raise money for Huntington's disease about six years ago. Huntington's disease can be like a combination of ALS, Alzheimers and Parkinson's, Buck said, and it's passed down genetically.

Dean's father died of Huntington's disease on Christmas Day in 2008.

Together, Buck and Dean have helped raise more than $40,000 for the cause and said they look forward to continuing their work this weekend.

More information about the festival can be found at allcommunityevents.com/gfasf/gfasf_home.html.