The residents of Flossmoor Park proved you don’t need rain to generate rainbows and the joy that they bring. And the rainbow decorations that lined the street amplified that enthusiasm.

Dozens of volunteers lined the streets of the neighborhood to generate a torrent of cheering and support for the runners of the Hidden Gem Half-Marathon as they ran past the 10-mile mark of the race.

Travis Adams, director of Youth and Children’s programs at the Flossmoor Community Center, has been heading up the water and cheer station in front of the FCC for several years.

“The neighborhood really embraces the race,” Adams said. “You can feel good vibes all through the neighborhood.” 

In addition to water, Gatorade and bananas for the runners, Adams also makes sure there is a supply of rainbow gear for the volunteers, such as Kristell Bricens, a freshman at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, who was decked out in a colorful scarf and headgear.

Bricens said this was her first year of volunteering at the Gem, but it probably wouldn’t be the last, adding, “I really like volunteering.”

Valerie Easley came from Dyer, Indiana, to support the runners and to help provide them with water, oranges and other energy-supplements.

Easley said she is a former marathoner currently sidelined by a health issue. 

“I can’t run these days,” she said, “so I participate by supporting those who do.”

Flossmoor Park showed that the entire neighborhood feels that way.