The Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) invites runners of all ages, paces and distances to participate in the 44th Ridge Run on Memorial Day, Mon., May 29. Runners can compete for overall wins or simply race to place in age categories ranging from 6 to 80 or beat their personal best time.
The Ridge Run, long considered Chicago’s favorite neighborhood race, takes participants through the Ridge Historic District to run the 10K run, 5K run and walk and Youth Mile run routes. Cheering spectators line the route, offering encouragement, water and energy to the runners. Races start and finish at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr.
The Memorial Day Ceremony honoring the men and women in the U.S. armed forces who have given their lives in service to our country, will be held at 9 a.m. at Ridge Park. The ceremony includes the laying of the wreath, taps and a solemn remembrance of the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The running events are followed by the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park/Mount Greenwood Memorial Day Parade, starting at 110th Place and traveling north down Longwood Drive to join the Ridge Run post-race festival at Ridge Park. Run and parade spectators and participants are invited to enjoy food, beverages, information from event sponsors, and the popular Tot Trot will take place at about 10:15 a.m.
The presenting sponsor of the Ridge Run is OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Centers, which generously provides the day’s health necessities including the Ridge Run doctor and first aid tent, as well as with general health information. The hospital has been a vital health resource for the community for nearly 90 years and continues to achieve accolades for quality through its revolutionary medical technologies and services both at its home and satellite locations.
OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center is pleased to return as the Presenting Sponsor of the 44th Ridge Run. Every year OSF Healthcare Little Company of Mary Medical Center staffs the event’s first aid tent with medical professionals. The medical center has achieved an “A” grade in the spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, the most exclusive recognition for patient safety in the nation. Our community’s hospital of choice, OSF Little Company of Mary offers same day and next day appointments with Primary Care providers and well as quick and easy appointment scheduling with OnCalls quick and easy. Visit osfhealthcare.org/c/oncall-metro/ for more info. For a safe and healthy summer, visit OSF Little Company of Mary online at osflittlecompanyofmary.org.
You don’t need to run to have fun!
Come out to cheer on the runners! If you live along the race route, decorate your house for Memorial Day or dust off your old boom box, run an extension cord down to your parkway and play energizing music to encourage runners and walkers to keep up their pace.
Spend the morning at Ridge Park with your friends and family. Beverly Soccer Club will be hosting activities for children and sharing information about new soccer opportunities in the community.
Cheer on the little kids at the annual Tot Trot at 10:15 a.m. in Ridge Park.
Ridge Run sponsors will be at the park, answering questions about their services and distributing information. BAPA couldn’t host the Ridge Run without the support of our sponsors, so make shire to thank them when you stop by their tents!
Team Town will be open for all the running and walking teams to gather and celebrate crossing the finish line. It’s fun to see the spirit and camaraderie of our local teams who compete in the run to raise funds and awareness for charitable causes or just for challenge.
Also at the park, you can purchase pizza by the slice and check out what’s available from vendors.
And be sure to stay along Longwood Drive or gather at Ridge Park to enjoy the Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade and this year’s Grand Marshal, Honor Flight Chicago.
Ridge Run Registration
Ridge Run registration continues until race day for participants signing up for the 10K run, 5K run or untimed walk, Ridge Run Challenge 5K and 10K, and, for kids up to age 12, the untimed Youth Mile. Sign up online until midnight on May 25 at bapa.org: in-person advance sign-up and packet pick up continues Thurs., May 25 and Fri., May 26, 12 to 7 p.m., and Sat., May 27 12 to 5 p.m. at Running Excels, 10328 S. Western and Sun., May 28, 12 to 4 p.m. at Ridge Park. Race day registration opens at Ridge Park Mon., May 29 at 6:30 a.m.
Advance registration fees are 5K, $40; 10K, $50; 5K and 10K Ridge Run Challenge, $80; 5K walk (untimed), $25; and Youth Mile, $20. Race day registration fees go up by $5 for all races. The fee for active military personnel is $15. Sign up at bapa.org on the Ridge Run page. Call 773-233-3100 for more information.
Thank Our Sponsors
OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center (presenting sponsor), Mike Haggerty Buick GMC, Beverly Bank & Trust, Southtown Health Foods, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois & Blue Door Neighborhood Center, Boston Beer Co., Keir Foot and Ankle Specialists, Sports and Ortho Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Town Realty, Rogers Roofing, County Fair Foods, Express Med Spa, Core Physical Therapy, St. Rita High School, Smith Village, Meijer, People’s Gas, Beverly Soccer Club, The Studio Beverly, Calabria Imports, 19th Ward Youth Foundation, Rolfing Structural Integration with Elias, Special Olympics Chicago, Running Excels, The Beverly Review, Trace Ambulance, Beverly Records, Original Rainbow Cone, Marathon Sportswear, LAB Nutrition, and Home Run Inn.
Ridge Run Volunteers
Volunteers are still needed to help with the Ridge Run and Memorial Day Parade, and a variety of dates and tasks are available. Sign up at bapa.org on the Ridge Run page or call 773-233-3100 for more information.
