Searchable Results for the 17th Lew Blond 5K Run/Walk can be found on www.lewblondrun.org!
Lew Blond Run Winners:
- Overall 5K Winner: Ben Schmeckpeper #416 00:16:44
- 1 Mile Overall Sam Westfall #589 00:05:15
- 5K Female Winner: Miranda Gomez #704 00:20:15
Community Support Key to Success of Long-Time Lew Blond Run
In 17 years, weather has never interfered with the success of the annual Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Run at Maple School. This year was no different, except that swollen grey clouds and ominous weather reports threatened this years race, which was held on May 20. A weather cancellation policy was even sent out the day before the event. Nonetheless, on Saturday, over 1,000 people still showed up to volunteer or participate on race day.
That is because of a wonderful and dedicated community of sponsors, staff, and volunteers that have made the Lew Blond Run a fixture in Northbrook and Glenview. There are not as many people these days who knew Lew Blond, but it is the race that has kept his memory alive for 17 years. He was a beloved applied technology teacher at Maple School, who passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 2000. It was then that members of the school district decided to install a “race” for a cure for this terrible disease.
Each year, Lew Blond's family comes to the race in honor of his memory: Therese Blond Davis, Mariette Blond, Barbara Blond and Brenda Blond and were there on May 20! Thank you to State Representative Elaine Nekritz, who was the race rabbit this year; and the Chamernick family continues to support the Lew Blond Run. Aimee Chamernick has been fighting ALS for many years, and her children race each year.
Since 2001, The Lew Blond Run event has been held every year in May or June at Maple School. Over $550,000 has been raised to help fund research through the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Funds have also been used to support scholarships at District #225 high schools and to fund special school projects at Maple, Wescott and Willowbrook Schools.
Executive Committee Chair, Maple School Principal, Dr. Nathan Carter said, "A huge thank you to the 'rain goddess' for holding out until our race was almost finished! And, thank you to every one who helped to ensure the Lew Blond Run was successful!
Our Lew Blond Run Executive Committee members should be commended on organizing a well run event- from start to finish! We also had our District 30 Administrative Team and a host of District Office, Wescott, Willowbrook and Maple staff members supporting our efforts! A very special thank you to our Maple Office Team - Michelle Rosen, Lucy Kloss, Michele Pollina, and Betty Holzkopf! I must also commend Don Zabski and his team. Nothing happens with out your crew! What a great day!”
"Everyone’s dedication and involvement in this effort not only continues to demonstrate that District 30 is a family, and a family that cares; but that you all continue to fight to impact the advancements to treat this horrible disease,” said Jim Bream, Lew Blond Run executive committee member.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Wegley said, "Lew Blond's memory lives on in our Northbrook/Glenview communities because of the many people and sponsors who care and give their support, time and energy to the Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk. Thank you all.”
Photos of this year's event can be viewed on the District 30 and Lew Blond Run Facebook pages.
