Red Run Against Child Sex Brings Many To First Algonquin Race

Algonquin's Red Dress Foundation 5K Red Run to combat commercial sexual exploitation of children brought a huge group of participants to the Village's Presidential Park Saturday.  More than 500 runners and walkers from all over the suburbs signed up for the first-time event.

Organizer Kristen Guerrieri said that was because, "it happens in the suburbs, too.  Most people don't know it but in the suburbs girls are being sold online."  Guerrieri said funds raised Saturday will support the  Salvation Army's PROMISE initiative (Partnership to Rescue our Minors from Sexual Exploitation) and Love 146 shelter for exploited children.

In Saturday's race the top finisher by a three-minute maragin was was Matt Field from Wheaton who clocked 16:13.4.  Jeremy and Jason Bauer from Elgin finished second and third.  The first local runner over the line was Algonquin's Mark Waterstone in ninth place.
Full finish results for the Red Run 5K and and walk are here: http://racetime.info/results/2012-results-old/2012-results-august/

In the pic: Top local woman in Saturday's innaugrual Red Run 5k was Algonquin's Sara Mason, third among female runners with a 22:08.2 time.  She was just headed by Huntley 12 year-old Adam Davis, 14th fastest overall.