20090904 PR - OB Half Marathon will be held on Labor Day 9/7/09 at 7 am. Course described.
Contact: Blaine Wing
Phone: (630) 368-5000
Fax: (630) 990-3000
1200 Oak Brook Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523 Village of Oak Brook
Press Release
Second Annual Oak Brook Half-Marathon Scheduled for
Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009
Oak Brook, Illinois ( September 3, 2009, 4:00 PM): The second annual Oak Brook Half-Marathon will be held
on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009 and will start at 7:00 a.m. This race is fast becoming a Labor Day
Tradition on the Chicagoland running scene, and has been given the prestigious “Best of Chicagoland”
designation by the Chicago Area Runners Association (“CARA”) for 2009.
This early-fall date serves as an ideal benchmark of training progress leading up to Chicago, or any other fall
marathon. And the half-marathon has become an increasingly popular event, not only among those who are
preparing to take on the marathon, but also for runners who simply enjoy a long-distance race in which they can
put forth a their maximum effort, but without the physical wear-and-tear.
Runners who like a challenge will appreciate the rolling hills of the 13.1-mile Oak Brook course. It begins on the
streets of Oak Brook, before heading onto the Oak Brook Path System for a tour of the McDonalds Corporate
Campus, Central Park, the McDonalds Soccer Fields and the neighborhoods of Oak Brook. The course makes
use of the multi-use paths of Fullersburg Woods, before crossing Oak Brook Road to trace around the Oak
Brook Golf Club on the return to Central Park and the Finish Line.
“Last year’s inaugural race was highly successful, and we are looking forward to this year’s event,” said Thomas
Hepperle, Race Director of the Oak Brook Half-Marathon. “We have incorporated several improvements for
2009, which we are really excited about.” These changes are designed not only to improve the runners’
experience, but also facilitate the flow of the race through the Village and reduce the impact on residents who
are not participating in the race. “We deeply appreciate the support that we have received from the Village of
Oak Brook,” added Hepperle. “We have, and will continue, to look for ways in which the race can grow and be a
positive experience for this Community, which has so graciously agreed to host our event.”
Residents are not only invited to run in the race, but also to participate as spectators and as volunteers.
Responsible individuals are especially needed to serve as course marshals, who are, in essence, the “eyes and
ears” on the course, making sure that the runners are safely heading in the right direction, as well as giving them
encouragement! Residents are ideal course marshals, due to their knowledge of the neighborhood, and are
encouraged to contact Thomas Hepperle if they are interested in helping out.
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A portion of the proceeds of the event will support Ronald McDonald House Charities ® of Chicagoland and
Northwest Indiana, and the Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund.
The Oak Brook Half-Marathon will start at 7:00 a.m. on race-day and will feature the disposable “D-tag” timing
system. The new course will be USATF certified. Registration is capped at 2,000 runners. The fee is $55.00 up
until Race Day. On Race Day the registration fee increases to $65.00 – cash only - provided that the race has
not sold out prior to Race Day. All participants will receive an Oak Brook Half-Marathon technical running shirt
and custom finisher’s medal. Pre-race packet pick-up at the Runner’s Soul, 124 N. York Street, Elmhurst, is
strongly encouraged. For more information and the race course map, contact the Race Director, Thomas
Hepperle, at (708) 386-4660, or log-on to www.oakbrookhalfmarathon.com.
About the Village of Oak Brook:
Founded in 1958, the Village of Oak Brook is located 20 miles west of downtown Chicago and is in proximity to
the junction of Interstates 88, 294, and 290. The Village consists mostly of residential subdivisions, with the
exception of the Oak Brook Center shopping mall, other retail and office properties along 22nd Street and
Interstate 88. Oak Brook is the home of many corporate offices, most notably, the world headquarters of
McDonald’s Corporation and the service club organization Lions Clubs International.
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