jewel tone gems lining the streets.
(Jalyn Edwards/H-F Chronicle)
The Hidden Gem Half Marathon swept through Flossmoor this weekend. With a thousand runners taking on the 13.1-mile course, the event drew residents from all corners of the village, along with special touches from the Ballantrae neighborhood.
As participants traversed the tree-lined streets, residents in the Ballantrae neighborhood lined Dunfries Street, adding their vibrant flair to the event. Bright, spray-painted gems adorned the route in line with the neighborhood’s “Ballantrae Gems” theme.
Residents and families showed support by creating homemade signs and wearing matching shirts to cheer on their loved ones as they passed by.
The event also featured DJ Mike Harris, who set the upbeat tone, while Ballantrae Neighborhood Watch Captain Les Rodgers, Trustee George Lofton, and his wife, Felecia, cheered on the athletes.
In true community fashion, neighbors, H-F students, and Thornwood High School girls cross country team members volunteered their time, distributing water cups and Gatorade at mile marker 2 to keep the runners hydrated and motivated.
(Correction: This story originally misidentified the team helping cheer on runners. The Chronicle regrets the error.)