Ready, Set, Go: What to know about Huntley Fall Fest’s 5K and Kids Dash
HUNTLEY – Taking place on Sep. 25, Kopf Running will be hosting its third annual Huntley Fall Fest 5K and Kids Dash which will take place at Betsey Warrington Park, located at 12209 West Main Street in Huntley.
The 5K race will start at 8:15 a.m. while the half-mile Kids Dash will begin at 8 a.m.
Lake in the Hills residents Karen Kopf and her husband, have had a goal to create a healthier and happier community through physical activity which led to the eventual creation of their endurance training company Kopf Running in 2010.
Having participated in a few marathons herself, Kopf grew fond of raising money for a charity known as Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), an organization committed to mobilizing school professionals, families, and communities to take actions that lead to healthy eating, physical activity, and healthier schools.
With encouragement from Huntley Community School District 158 (D158) Board of Education member Sean Cratty, Kopf started the Huntley Fall Fest 5K and Kids Dash in 2018 to raise money for AFHK.
“[It’s] another fun way to raise money for the organization is just to have this race and obviously, with it being a part of Huntley Fall Fest there’s a little bit more visibility with it and people get excited because it’s part of that weekend,” said Kopf.
Individuals can register for the 5K and Kids Dash online or on the day of the race. The in-person 5K has a registration fee of $30 and the Kids Dash has a $5 registration fee. Cash and checks are the only payment method accepted if participants register in person.
“All participants get a free Lions Club breakfast. The adults and kids. They get a little voucher so that they can bring that right over there right after the race and they’re able to eat that breakfast for free,” said Kopf.
Additionally, a beer ticket will also be given to the first 100 participants over 21, which can be used on either of the two days of Huntley Fall Fest. Racers from the 5K and Kids Dash will be given a T-shirt with a goody bag and will have the opportunity to win a multitude of prizes in a raffle.
For those worried about larger crowds and COVID-19, Kopf added that there is a virtual 5K option that only costs $20 to register and can be done anywhere at any time. However, participants must register by 11:59 p.m. on Sep. 24.
Virtual participants will also have an opportunity to win raffle prizes and can upload photos of themselves online.
Kopf said that participants must remain in attendance to receive their prizes, though if a person is local, she stated that she doesn’t mind delivering their prize to their home. Virtual 5K raffle winners will receive a gift card by mail.
“It’s a gun start which means when we say ‘Go,’ that’s when the timing starts. It’s not when you cross the start line,” Kopf said. “It is a timed 5K, but I would say that people that just want to walk it, are totally welcomed to walk it. They’ll still get a finishing time.”
Male and female winners of the 5K from different age divisions will be announced around 9 a.m. and will receive a $50 gift card to Running Depot in Crystal Lake.
Athletico Physical Therapy will be onsite to assist race participants with post-race stretching.
Kopf said that individuals not interested in participating in the race, but interested in entering the raffle can do so by going to the Huntley Fall Fest 5K website and donating.
“On the website, I want to keep it so that it’s donating to [AFHK] so on that website at the very top when you go to that website it’ll say donate and that’s like a separate part of it and you can just make a donation. So, anybody that makes a donation or registers will be signed up for the raffle,” said Kopf.
Kopf explained that 5K participants must be 5-years-old or older and participants for the Kids Dash must be 12 months or older. Participants under 18 must have a parent register them either online or in person.
For more information about the Huntley Fall Fest 5K and Kids Dash visit runsignup.com/huntleyfallfest5k
Kopf Running also hosts free Wednesday evening group runs/walks that rotate locations between Presidential Park in Algonquin and Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills starting at 6 p.m. For information on running locations visit Kopf Running’s Facebook page or for information on other races Kopf Running hosts, visit kopfrunning.com.
