On Sept. 14, a week after the very strenuous Hidden Gem Half Marathon in Flossmoor, Homewood will dial it back — way back — for the intentionally unstrenuous 0.3K Fund Run.
The event, sponsored by the Homewood Business Association and Homewood Arts Council, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., but the “race,” which will start at Martin Avenue and Hickory Road in downtown Homewood, probably will not take that long.
first 0.3K race in 2018. (Chronicle file photo)
(Chronicle file photo)
HAC sponsored 0.3K runs in 2018 and 2019 that drew hundreds of participants. The plans for continuing the annual event were thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
HBA Executive Director Allisa Opyd announced the return of the event at HBA’s August meeting.
“It is 360 yards. We are the antithesis of what’s going on in Flossmoor with the Hidden Gem,” she said.
Although the route is about two blocks long, runners and walkers will have some temptations along the way that could slow them down.
“We have to make sure we’re hydrated, so we have a beer stop thanks to Twisted Q,” she said.
There will also be a Krispy Kreme donut station, a cookie stop courtesy of Bergstein’s New York Deli and a White Castle burger stop.
After completing that challenging course, finishers will be able to cool down with vodka lemonade sponsored by The Ridgewood and Family Wine and Liquor, Opyd said.
Aurelio’s pizza will be served to help runners recover from the rigor of the race. There will be live music to dance to in case anyone has any energy left.
(Chronicle file photo
2019 0.3K race. (Chronicle file photo)
HAC Director Chris Castaneda said Homewood musician Casey McDonough, who has been touring as the bass player for the New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, will be home in time to perform at the 0.3K event.
The earlier 0.3K events happened before Castaneda and his family moved to Homewood, but he said he has heard about those events from residents.
“When I was told about it, I thought it was a fun idea. The general feedback people in the neighborhood would share with me was always positive. People seemed to really enjoy that,” he said. “It was something that was always on our radar.”
He hopes the event can pick its momentum back up and become an annual lead in to the village’s Fall Fest, which will be on Sept. 21 this year.
As in the past, runners are encouraged to dress up, and there will be a costume contest after the race. The winner will receive a dozen donuts.
Tickets are $30, which includes bib, beer, donuts, two drinks and pizza. VIP tickets cost $70 but come with the same benefits without having to run the race.
Tickets are available online. Proceeds will go to both organizations.
For a look at previous 0.3K runs, visit bit.ly/scenes-point3K-2018 and bit.ly/scenes-point3K-2019.