As runners came around the corner onto Flossmoor Hills Road, volunteers wasted no time cheering and holding signs saying, “Run with your heart!” and “You got this!” 

Volunteers from The South Suburban Vineyard Church came out around 6 a.m. preparing cups of water and Gatorade to hand to the runners. 

Along with the church volunteers were local music teachers from the District 161 playing music for the runners and Flossmoor Hills Elementary’s Assistant Principal Abby Girard cheering for the runners. 

“We’ve been volunteering at the second water station for six years now,” church member and volunteer Amanda Speakman said. “So, the entire Gem.” 

Runners came into Flossmoor Hills around 7:50 a.m. with volunteers sticking their arms out to the runners yelling “Water!” and “Gatorade!” as the runners pass them swiping it out of their hands saying “thank you.” 

Some runners threw their cups on the ground as they kept running with volunteers trying to quickly swipe then out of the way of other runners. 

The race started at 7:30 a.m. and the last runner came through Station 2 around 8:30 a.m. with everyone cheering them on as they came down the road. 

Things ended shortly after with the volunteers cleaning up cups off the street and packing everything up.