Organizers of The Race That’s Good for Life 5K breathed a sigh of relief as Sunday dawned rain-free, thus helping to insure a smoothly functioning race at the 27th edition of the annual event in Oak Park.
Under the “Hers and His” race format, the women’s 5K was won by Oak Park’s own Colleen Newhart in a time of 18:12. Previous winner, Denisa Costescu, of the Detroit area, was registered but did not show up this year.
The men’s race was won by Greg Costello of Chicago in a quick 14:50, with River Forester Jack Kafel, a former winner, right behind in 14:56.
Both Newhart and Costello have solid running credentials. Newhart (nee Bolin), 27, a Loyola-Chicago and OPRF High School graduate, currently is cross-country coach at Dominican University and is actively training with her sights set on qualifying for the Olympic Games in the 1500-meter race. Costello, also 27, a Bucknell grad, has been a top road race performer in the Chicago area for the past few years and was an Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon last fall. He is a two-time winner of the Chicago Half Marathon. Costello saw a nice payday, earning $200 for the win, $50 for being first across the Lifeline halfway mark, and another $100 (from sponsor Scott’s Pet Shop) for finishing closest to the existing race record of 14:25.
Winners of the youth mile were Oak Park’s Nathaniel Marcus in 6:34 and Jenny Lipa of Glen Ellyn in 7:21. Other members of the Lipa family were also represented as younger sister Diane, and mom Christine, combined to win the Mother-Daughter Team competition.
In an interesting side note, Alona Banai, 24, an up-and-coming Oak Park runner, finished sixth in the women’s race, winning her 20-24 age group and setting a new personal record. And the number 13 did not turnout to be unlucky for Banai. The date was April 13, her race bib number was 13 and Banai bettered her previous record by 13 seconds.
Vividly recalling the mysterious electronic glitch which resulted in some lost finish line results in the women’s and youth mile races last year, the contractor who provides race results and the electronic equipment for start and finish lines was extra careful this time out. Finish line mats, which record the electronic chips tied to each runner’s shoe, were shifted slightly to avoid a manhole cover at the official finish line. Also, the public address equipment was moved farther away from the finish line in case of electronic interference. But whatever the cause of last year’s problem, this year’s effort worked trouble-free. The Oak Park Runners Club, which put on the event, even videotaped the finish line as a further backup in case of a malfunction.
Oak Park Runners Club Race Director, Geri Bensen, was fearing a bad weather day, following the cold and rain on Saturday, but she was “more than pleased” that the weather turned out well. The sun emerged from the clouds just before the start of the men’s 5K race. Asked if she encountered any problems with the event, Bensen quipped, “Yes, somebody knocked over my coffee just before the race.”
Club member Rolfe Sanberg, who was manning the first aid table at the main entrance to the high school, said he saw “all smiles,” and as a medical professional, he was pleased that there were no heat-related medical problems-one advantage of chilly race-day temperatures.
Race officials did hear a few complaints from runners who encountered an unexpected $5 charge at the Village of Oak Park parking garage next to the high school. Unfortunately, this charge tended to drive race participants onto surrounding residential streets to look for parking spots. It was pointed out that even the downtown area of Chicago offers free parking at meters on Sundays.