May 7th Literacy Half Marathon

Thank you Ron Leonhardt for the pictures! Ron Literacy Pics 1 and
 Ron's Literacy Pics #2

Saturday morning, May 7th, was the 8th annual Literacy Council half marathon.  A number of organizations help by donating time and products in support of the race.  Thank you to Steve and Mark from Runners Image and Ro at Carlyle's Brewery for taking the time to organize this event.  http://www.theliteracycouncil.org/index.php?page=literacy-run

Over the last eight years thousands of dollars have been raised thru this race and by all of the people that have participated by running and walking the course.  The Literary Half is unique in that the course covers outlying roads but also mixes in many miles of scenic trails.

This year the rain held off and the morning race started with a cool breeze and overcast skies.

100+ runners and walkers enjoyed the course.  Everyone was welcome at the post-race pasta and beer brunch which was hosted by Carlyle's Brewery (from downtown Rockford) and Red Lobster.  Carlyle's beer was AWESOME...brewed right in their downtown reasturant/brewery location.  Red Lobster catered a very tasty pasta, salad and muffin lunch.  Thank you also to Meg's Daily Grind for providing those great tasting and huge chocolate chip cookies!

One fact is unfortunate however. Attendance for this race has fell in recent years since the Rockford Marathon chose several years ago to have their race(s) only one week after Literacy.  The result is many runners have chased faster times on the flat streets of the RM and have not returned to this event.  Through the efforts of Runners Image, Carlyles and Red Lobster they have collectively helped to raise TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars for the Rockford Literacy Council.  It is unfortunate that those dollars are being lost...and not replaced by the 'Rockford' event.

I enjoyed cheering on the runners and walkers on the course and look forward to helping with the race again next year.  It really is a very nice race held for a very worthy cause.