CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend has launched a new nonprofit, Kicks for CU Kids.
The organization is working to provide free running shoes and socks to kids in need who are participating in the 5K or Busey Bank Illinois Youth Run.
Officials said Kicks for CU Kids was created to address an opportunity gap that exists for youth in the Champaign-Urbana area who are underrepresented in the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend.
The 2024 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend will take place on April 25-27 and will feature a 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, 4-person relay, youth run and multi-event challenges.
Local specialty running store Body n' Sole Sports will be supplying socks and shoes for the new organization. Their partnership with Kicks for CU Kids includes hosting shoe fittings for youth and providing running shoes.
Supporters of the program include Human Kinetics, Second Running Club, Serra Champaign, and The Michael Hogue Team/RE/Max. The program has already raised $7,500 to provide kids with shoes and socks from Body n’ Sole.
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This year's recipient of the first Kicks for CU Kids grant was Stephens Family YMCA Girls on the Run of Champaign County. The grant provided professionally fitted running shoes and running socks to two GOTR teams for the spring 2024 season, which included close to 30 girls from Stratton Academy of the Arts and Unity West Elementary School.
Mike Lindemann, owner of Body n’ Sole, visited both teams to personally size each girl for their new running shoes.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support from Kicks for CU Kids and the dedication of Jan Seeley and Mike Lindemann," said Robin Maier, Director of Girls on the Run of Champaign County. "This grant not only provides essential gear for these teams but also exemplifies the community's commitment to fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for young girls. The new running shoes and socks will help these GOTR girls joyfully cross the 5K finish line with confidence!”
The Busey Bank Illinois Youth Run and the Christie Clinic Illinois 5K are two of many events happening throughout the weekend. This year, Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend will also be bringing the marathon distance back, the first year it has been available since 2019.
“This was already going to be a unique year as we welcome back the marathon distance to the weekend, but the creation of this new program that is so needed in our community really adds something special,” said Jan Seeley, race director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. “Proper shoes and socks for active play and sports like running can sometimes be a barrier to entry, as they can be costly investments for many families. With this program, I hope more kids will be empowered to move joyfully and to join us for all the fun during race weekend.”
Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is one of the 100 largest running events in the country, with nearly 10,000 finishers in 2023. With the reintroduction of the marathon distance, participation is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Since it began, the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend has donated $1.734 million to charities in the community and generated an estimated $6 million in economic impact annually.
Registration for 2024 Illinois Race Weekend is open. You can register online here.
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