Jennifer Davis summed up the post-Hidden Gem Half Marathon vibe in downtown Flossmoor as she stood with her two children watching the streets fill with runners and residents.
“Feeling Flossmoor proud today,” she said. “Flossmoor sure knows how to throw a party.”
She was watching Kegs & Eggs, a new post-race event featuring food trucks, a DJ and a special Hidden Gem beer from Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery, which attracted a long line of thirsty people, regardless of whether they’d run the 13.1-mile race.
Among the happiest people in the post-race celebration were Sam and Betsy Cutrara. The couple are runners who helped create the Hidden Gem in 2019. During their previous four races, they were too busy working as organizers to participate.
This year, they said, the organizing committee insisted they run.
“They said ‘You guys started this thing, you need to run it,'” Sam said.
After the race, the Cutraras were elated with the experience.
Betsy said it was satisfying to see “the vision that came to fruition. It was amazing to just be part of it. There was so much energy out on the course. It was magical.”
Sam agreed and said it was exciting to see the race from a runner’s perspective. The race is popular among runners — it was named the Chicago Runners Association Race of the Year in 2022 and 2023 — in part because of the neighborhood cheer teams along the route.
“I felt proud to be part of Flossmoor,” he said. “It shows how much spirit we have in this town and the amount of energy that was created to make this race really easy. A half marathon sometimes can be dreadful. I couldn’t believe how excited I was on mile 11 and 12 and 13 when usually you’re ready to be done with the race.”
A highlight for both was the opportunity to talk with other runners during the race. They each said they enjoyed hearing the stories runners had to tell.
Two runners could have told them about their journey to the race. It was a long one.
Tim and Stephanie Akroyd traveled from Zurich, Switzerland, to visit family in Flossmoor, and while in town, decided to run the Gem. They were cheered by their son, Ethan, and by Stephanie’s parents, Nancy and Roy Slowinski of Flossmoor.
Art in various media help make the Gem special, according to runners. Not only does the course take them past a number of pieces in Flossmoor’s sculpture collection, but residents supply art made for the occasion.
One runner favorite is the H-F Vikings Marching Band gauntlet as runners follow the course along the north side of Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s North Building. Band members line up on each side of the road and runners get a musical boost as they pass.
H-F Band Director Sarah Whitlock said student musicians aren’t always sure what to make of the gig the first time they participate, but she talks to them about how their music helps motivate runners. She said that helps them appreciate their role.
“I tell them the ones at the end are the ones who really need us,” she said. This year, for example, a special moment came when a woman who had fallen came through the band’s lane on a golf cart. “We got to serenade her,” Whitlock said.
One group of runners, which included the winner of the women’s division, Claire Krummenacher, shouted out a request as they came through. The band quickly complied, playing “All I Do Is Win.”
Chalk art is also a big part of neighborhood cheer efforts. April and Eric Faoro created colorful inspirational messages, including “You Got This” and “Moving Along” where the route turns from Burns Avenue to Wallace Drive.
“This is our third year on the corner,” Eric said. “It’s a great time. Love the runners.”
Another treat for runners was the free chocolate milk handed out by volunteers just past the finish line. Race organizer Maggie Bachus and mother-daughter team of Margy and Lucy Bolling were at the milk station shortly after the first runners crossed the line.
“I love it. I give people chocolate milk and they just smile,” Lucy said. “It makes their whole day.”
Bachus noted that Lucy had “basically grown up on the Gem,” and as a volunteer had an impact on runners’ experiences.
“It’s the small touches that make a big difference,” Bachus said.
