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Organizers increase runner numbers for 6th Hidden Gem

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Anticipation is building as the Flossmoor community prepares for the sixth annual Hidden Gem Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The race starts at 7:30 a.m. in front of Infant Jesus of Prague School and is expected to end around 11:30 a.m. with the finish line on Sterling Avenue.

Tom Dobrez, president of Flossmoor’s Future and race coordinator, said it’s been an exciting time with big changes. This year’s race has 1,200 runners up from the previous 1,000 contestants. The race was a sell-out in six days.

“It was primarily due to demand,” Dobrez said. “Just the need to be able to accommodate everybody as the race continues to grow in popularity.”

Even with the new limit for runners, there are still a number of people on the waitlist, Dobrez said. Organizers wanted to make sure to maintain a good quality race and a good experience for the runners.

The race has gotten more national recognition from running media.

Runner’s World listed Hidden Gem in its article “10 Races You’ve Never Heard Of.” Hidden Gem was listed in fourth place by the Outside Network in its article on the top 13 half-marathons in the United States good for a personal record.

Looking at the map for this year, Dobrez said the two neighborhoods impacted by the route changes are Heather Hill and Flossmoor Park.

“We used to go through the entire neighborhood, but that presented some traffic challenges for the residents,” Dobrez said. “We responded to that by essentially cutting the run through Heather Hill in half.”

Dobrez said he recommends residents stay in their communities and enjoy the race.

(Provided image)

With the reroutes on the Flossmoor Park section, Dobrez said the runners will cross a couple extra streets picking up the route on Flossmoor Hills Road and the intersection of Evans Road, and near the Flossmoor Community Church, where volunteers will have a water station.

Runners for the Hidden Gem have come from everywhere, with one coming from Sweden. This year’s race is attracting many of the top women runners across the country, including a runner who finished in the top 10 in the 2024 Chicago Marathon, Dobrez said.

This year, on Sept. 5, the Friday before the race, registered runners will be able to pick up their bibs and gear, and they will be offered a pasta dinner with conversation featuring Carey Pinkowski, the CEO of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and Michael Lucchese, founder and CEO of Pipe Creek Consulting.

As for community collaborations, the Heather Hill Civic Association, the Flossmoor Community Church and the Church of St. John the Evangelist will be running water stations, Dobrez said.

Flossmoor Baseball and Softball members are volunteers on the day of the race and will be making egg sandwiches for after the race.

Girl Scouts will be handing out medals as racers cross the finish line; and the H-F High School spirit teams, Vikings marching band and National Honors Society members will be cheering and volunteering.

“It’s truly a community event. We have dozens of organizations… [around] 300 volunteers,” Dobrez said. “Just about every major group in Flossmoor is represented on race day somewhere on our course.”

The neighborhoods are known for going all out for their support during the race with themes for runners. Dobrez said Flossmoor Park plans to do rainbows and decades with themes from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

The Village of Flossmoor is also hosting Kegs and Eggs for the second year in a row in the downtown area from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Village Community Engagement Manager Stephanie Wright said it’s a traditional post-race party and a great way for the village to end the race in celebration.

Wright said vendors will be available for people to buy food as early as 7 a.m. the morning of the race. Flossmoor DJ Matt Kuhnen will provide musical accompaniment.

Wright mentioned the streetscape project construction in the downtown area should be wrapping up around the time of the race, making it a good time for everyone to patronize the local businesses.

Designated Detours:

  • 183rd Street
  • Dixie Highway
  • Crawford Avenue / Pulaski Road
  • Vollmer Road
  • Main Road Closures:
  • Kedzie Avenue (Flossmoor Road to 193rd) 7 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Governors Highway (Heather Road to Flossmoor Road) 7 to 9:45 a.m.
  • Flossmoor Road (West of Governors Highway) 7 to 9:45 a.m.
  • Flossmoor Road (East of Governors Highway) 7 a.m. to noon

Neighborhood Closures:
There will be a period of “soft” closures and then “hard” closures when runners enter each neighborhood. These hard closures will vary by neighborhood and are unlikely to last longer than one hour in most neighborhoods.

  • Baythorne — 7:30 to 8:15 a.m.
  • Ballantrae — 7:30 to 9 a.m.
  • Flossmoor Hills — 7:30 to 9:15 a.m.
  • Braemar Rd — 7:45 to 9:45 a.m.
  • Heather Hill — 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Flossmoor Estates — 8 to 10:45 a.m.
  • Flossmoor Park — 8:15 to 11:15 a.m.
  • Old Flossmoor — 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The Village of Flossmoor Police have also agreed to waive the no overnight parking ban. Drivers are encouraged to park a car near your home and off the route to get out in the morning.

Flossmoor Road Closure:
Flossmoor Road between Western Avenue and Governors Highway will experience slightly longer hard closures — 7 a.m to noon.

Western Avenue Closure:
Western Avenue will be closed in both directions from Vardon Lane to Flossmoor Road from 7 to 11:15 a.m. — Northbound traffic on Western Avenue will be allowed to turn right (east) at Flossmoor Road.

Garbage Pick-up:
If your garbage is usually picked up on Friday, it will still be picked up on Friday, Sept. 5, despite the Labor Day holiday week, per both Homewood Disposal and Republic Disposal.
For more information, visit www.hiddengemhalf.com.

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