Western Springs Athletes Turn Out for Fun Run

Last Thursday night, running was a family affair as 30 people turned out for a three-mile fun run at Competitive Foot. 

The event was organized by Michelle Fink of Physiotherapy Associates, a physical therapy practice that offers injury screenings. Fink, a Springdale resident and St. John of the Cross track coach, started running at the age of 13. She was clearly excited about organizing the event to share her love of running with her friends and neighbors, “it’s a chance for families to get out in the middle of the week and do something together.”

Competitive Foot’s Manager Mike Eggert was happy to see so many residents in attendance, acknowledging that Western Springs is a “family town.” “This is our second fun run since December. We’re hoping to do this every quarter” he said, “It’s fun to get members of the community together.”

Eggert was especially grateful for the generous support of other businesses in town including raffle prizes from Elite Fitness, Body in Balance and Starbucks. Scavuzzo’s provided pizzas and Hillgrove Cellars offered a tasting of four different wines. Fink also gave away water bottles and t-shirts to the children, many of whom were later tasked with pulling the winning names.

The runners took off in a group around 6:45 p.m. and started trickling back in after 7:15. The littlest participants ran around the water tower, while the older children and adults took a western route through Old Town. They ran past Laidlaw and looped back by the Western Springs Recreation Center and down Hillgrove, ending their run at the store. Although several of the women in attendance were marathoners, some of the runners were just getting back into running.

Western Springs resident Fadia Jugovich was in attendance with her four daughters and husband. Jugovich is “plunging” back into running so she can improve her coaching skills as St. John of the Cross’ 6th grade track coach. Her whole family successfully completed the run arriving back at the store at different times. Forest Hills mom Kristen Hosey, whose oldest daughter is in first grade, participated in the less intense run with her tiny girls on the neighboring Tower Green.

Hosey is one of the marathoners in attendance along with Fink, Susan McHugh, Maria Schreiber, and Katie Shannon who showed up that night to show their support. Many of their children, also runners, were fitted with shoes at the event as the parents happily took advantage of the store’s 20 percent discount offered that night.  

While the hungry runners snacked on pizza, chips and salsa, podiatrist Dr. Sean Gocke of West Suburban Podiatry mingled with guests to answer questions related to foot pain. Gocke discussed stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis and the more common ailment plantar fasciitis. “Plantar fasciitis is caused by small, painful tears in the tissue,” he said, “It feels like a hot poker.” He explained the causes of all these pain-inducing problems and offered some potential treatments including stretches for plantar fasciitis that people can do themselves at home.

If you missed this fun run, Michelle Fink will host more events at Competitive Foot before the end of the year, featuring guest speakers in complimentary disciplines.