The Oak Brook Park District’s annual Pink 5K Run/Walk again was a big success Saturday, with more than 1,000 participants raising more than $24,000 for the first time.
As in the past, 100% of the net profits from registration will be donated to the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Outreach Fund. This outreach fund was established in 2011 to support breast cancer patients and their families.
Donations to the Open Arms Fund are used to provide free mammograms to women in need, due to lack or insufficiency of insurance. Every $250 donated provides a free mammogram to women in need.
Saturday’s event, the 14th year in which it’s been run, took place at Central Park, and the $23,000 fund-raising goal was exceeded with a total of $24,569 raised. Additional donations may be made online by searching for Oak Brook Pink 5K at www.runsignup.com/Races.
Laure Kosey, the Park District’s executive director, was very pleased about this year’s event raising more than $24,000 for the first time.
“As a breast cancer survivor myself, the earlier you detect it, the higher the survival rate, so this event is saving lives,” she said. “Not only do those who need it get free mammograms, but if breast cancer is detected, the donation assists with further treatment.”
Chris Mileto, 35, was the overall winner, covering the 5K course in 18 minutes 28 seconds. Alex White, 17, took the runner-up spot in 18:29, followed by Christopher McVey, 42, third (19:22), Eric White, 15, fourth (19:42)) and Kasra Mikaili, 17 (19:45), rounding out the top five.
The top female finisher was Mandy Grapenthien, 41, who placed 10th overall in 20:35. Litzi Torres, 20 (15th overall, 22:12), Heather White, 12 (25th overall, 23:39), Karla Caldera, 40 (28th overall, 23:55) and Amy Fundament, 39 (30th overall, 24:00) round out the top five female finishers, respectively.
Complete race results may be found online at results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/p6kgzfqcbsxg5wgr/results.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
