Bears QB thrills kids at Naperville race

As the participants in a charity kids run in Naperville assembled at the starting gate Sunday, one of them stood taller than the rest -- much taller.

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler participated in Sunday's Kids Fun Run, which was part of the annual Spring Ahead fundraiser organized by Naperville-based NCO Youth & Family Services.

Cutler ran with his 6-year-old cousin and roughly 300 other smiling, slightly star-struck children.

"It was awesome!" said out-of-breath 10-year-old Cameron Ferus of Naperville after finishing the one-mile run. "I loved seeing him."

After the run, Cutler sat down and autographed the numbered "bibs" the young runners wore. He did not speak to the media.

"It was cold, and hard, but pretty fun," said 9-year-old Sam Rosacrans of Naperville after getting his bib signed. Six-year-old Dylan Gardner, also of Naperville, scored an autograph mother lode on Sunday, getting Cutler's signature on a football card, on the Bears jersey that Gardner wore and on his race bib.

"I love the Bears!" Gardner said.

The Spring Ahead event is a major annual fundraiser for NCO, which provides housing and counseling services to at-risk youth in DuPage County. In addition to the 300 children who participated in the Kids Fun Run, roughly 1,000 adults participated in the 10K and 5K races.

NCO Executive Director Ron Hume said Cutler's presence this year provided a boost to the children's portion of the event.

"Last year we had something like 125 kids, and this year it was around 300," he said. "It was great of him to participate."

Hume said that in a still-difficult economy, social service agencies like NCO have seen demand for their services jump even as donations have slowed.

"People have less to give than they used to, and at the same time more people need help," he said. "That's why events like this are so important to us."

Results of the race will be posted at chicagoAA.com. The overall winner in the Kids Fun Run was Jack James of Wheaton. Ryan Carrigan, 22, of Naperville was the overall winner in the 5K race, and 27-year-old Nicholas Hird of Naperville was the overall winner in the 10K race.