Featured Running Event of the Week - AshleyCan Race Series

Going to do something a little different to start the season.  We are going to focus on a series of races (and other events).

The AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Race Series....and more.

The AshleyCan Foundation raises money to find a cure for Childhood Cancer, and to raise awareness of this terrible disease, and to help qualified families who have been impacted.  All of the money raised from these events goes to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, other pediatric cancer efforts, and to qualified families impacted by this disease.  No profit is made from these events, the volunteers are not paid, and the Foundation Board is not paid.

These are all excellent races - and events - and are all very well organized.  The Board and their wonderful volunteers put everything they have into these events to make them successful.  If you live anywhere near the Bourbonnais/Bradley/Kankakee/Chicago Southland/Chicagoland area, I HIGHLY recommend you check out one - or more - of these events.  It's a great cause, and the events are great as well.

Details about the foundation and the events can be found at www.ashleycan.org, along with a Contact Us option.

2018/2019 Season Running/Walking Events.  Races (and walks) of all different lengths and courses!

Sunday May 13 - Mother's Day 5k Run, 2 Mile Walk, Kids Fun Run - Perry Farm, Bourbonnais, IL
Saturday June 2 - Inaugural 24 Mile Walk For A Cure - TENTATIVE
Saturday July 7 - Ashley Forever 5k/10k Run, 2 Mile Walk - Hickory Creek-LaPorte, Mokena, IL
Sunday Sep 9 - Ashley Forever Half Marathon/10k/5k, Family Fun Run - Bourbonnais Municipal Center, Bourbonnais, IL
Tues Jan 1 2019 - New Year New Cure 8k - Bourbonnais Municipal Center, Bourbonnais, IL

Other great events

Friday Mar 9 - JamNight - Live Music and Prizes - Glass Tap, Steger, IL
Saturday June 16 - Inaugural 15/25/50/75/100 Mile Bike Ride - TENTATIVE
TBD - Charity Motorcycle Run

For TBD/TENTATIVE items, check webpage link above for further details as they are announced.

This is an important cause, and these are great events!

Featured Running Event of the Week - AshleyCan Half/Relay/10k/5k/Kids Run

The 6th Annual AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation race is a combination of many many races.

• Half Marathon
• Half Marathon/Relay 
• 10k
• 5k
• Family 1 Mile Fun Run

All of these are conducted on the rolling hills on the streets of Bourbonnais, IL.  There are stretches of flat and fast course, but it is not a flat course.  People have PR'd on the course, but it's not easy.  It is perfect for beginners wanting to challenge themselves and perfect for long-time runners looking to take on the challenges.  One thing to remember, especially when it gets challenging, is that the money raised is to fight Childhood Cancer, a terrible disease that is far more challenging than the most challenging hill.  In past years, runners have used that as their inspiration and find themselves overcoming the hills and even setting a PR or two.

But MOST IMPORTANTLY, 100% of the money raised - 100% - is used to fight childhood cancer.  The majority of the money goes to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, but some of the money is also used to assist families impacted by this terrible disease.  Every single person involved with the Foundation and with the races is an unpaid volunteer.

The founder of AshleyCan was Ashley Montgomery, a young lady that was impacted 4 times with childhood cancer.  She was strong, she was a fighter, and she believed in finding a cure, even to the point of using experimental cures as a way to help the medical industry learn.  Sadly, Ashley passed away in 2017 during her final battle with the terrible disease.  And that's what makes these events so important - we must not let Ashley's fight be the end of the fight - we must continue to raise money to find a cure!  This is the event where I first met Ashley and the Montgomery family, her courage and strength was so moving that I have been a volunteer at nearly every event (running and non-running) since that day.  I've even run in a couple of the events when there were enough volunteers.

So, aside from the cause, this is a challenging, yet fun, course - and there is something for everybody.  Half Marathon, be part of a relay team and run the Half Relay, a 10k, a 5k, and even a family (not just kids) 1-miler.  Child Daycare is also provided, free of charge!!!

Click here to register or for more information - http://www.active.com/bourbonnais-il/running/distance-running-races/ashleycan-half-marathon-2-person-half-relay-10k-5k1-mile-event-ko-2017

Featured Running Event of the Week - AshleyCan Mother's Day 5k run/2 mile walk

Some things are worth repeating - we post this every year at about this time - because this is a great race for a great charity.

All proceeds are used to help find a cure and to treat Pediatric Cancer.  Most of the money goes to St. Jude's Children's Hospital specifically for research towards find a cure and for treating those suffering from this terrible disease.  Some of the money is also used to assist eligible families with the tremendous costs associated with battling such a disease.

The primary goal of the AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation is to finally find a cure for Pediatric Cancer, and to assist treating those who currently are suffering from the disease until a cure is found.

The race is on Mother's Day - 5/14/17 at Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais.

The course is primarily run in the park, but does exit briefly for a small jaunt through a nearby neighborhood, and then back to the park for the finish.  There are some hills, so this course is challenging, but it is also scenic.

Registration for the race is at http://www.active.com/bourbonnais-il/running/distance-running-races/7th-annual-ashleycan-pediatric-cancer-foundation-mother-s-day-5k-run-2-mile-walk-8am-kids-run-follows-the-run-walk-event-2017

The Foundation was the idea of Ashley Montgomery who had been diagnosed with Pediatric Cancer, then into remission, only to be diagnosed 3 more times.  Ashley fought each battle and won each battle, until this year, when she passed away from Pediatric Cancer.  Some say "she lost that battle" - but in reality, Ashley kicked cancer's butt - she beat it 3 times, and almost a 4th time.  But, she still kicked its butt, because she remained a positive inspirational light for everybody.  It was her idea to create a charity that would raise money to find a cure for this so other's did not have to go through it.  She never let cancer define her and always focused on living life and being positive and growing up as everybody else did.  Her battles were bumps in the road - big bumps - but she never saw it as a losing proposition.  She might have lost this battle, but she definitely put cancer in its place.  She proved that people are stronger than cancer - she was AshleyStrong.  Anybody who knew her, even if only from the various running events, was inspired and moved by her.  And the Foundation will continue on, as she would have wanted.

This is the first AshleyCan event since Ashley's passing, and it will definitely be emotional, and it will be a very special race, a race to continue to find a cure so that other families aren't going through what Ashley's family is going through now.






 

Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - AshleyCan Benefit Concert Jam Band

On Friday, March 3, 2017, a plethora of musicians from all genres joined together on stage at The Glass Tap in Steger, IL for a 5+ hour classic rock/Beatles Jam Session.

But this wasn't just any jam session at a local bar. This was to raise money for the AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation which uses funds to support finding a cure for childhood cancer, raising awareness of childhood cancers, a...nd supporting those with children fighting the terrible disease. 100% of the donations went to the foundation. The musicians collected nothing - nada - zilch.

And boy did it bring out a who's who of Chicagoland local musicians, plus some from as far as Minnesota and Los Angeles!! High Anxiety was the "host" band who supplied the backline and sound system and kept the music rolling along. I probably lost count, but there was about 20 different musicians to have hit the stage at some point. Musicians who are (or were) from bands like High Anxiety, Concrete Shoes, Green Umbrella, Beatle Buddies, Plastik Glass, Low Voltage, Meet The Beetles, Time Bandits, The Ralleys, The New Sex & Drugs, Pepperland Rockestra, Sad Monster Party, Johnny Burnett Band, Dead Feathers, B4 And After, American English, Kashmir, Sgt. Sauerkraut's Polka Band, and probably even some I missed.

The show started with a few High Anxiety tunes, including a Mellencamp song (which was perfect, because I'm huge Mellencamp fan), along with other classic rock tunes. Then the host band started welcoming other musicians onto the stage.

Instruments ranged from the standard, bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, and keyboards (at one point 2 keyboards), to violas (2 of them), and percussion. At least 5 different vocalists took turns singing and/or harmonizing throughout the evening. The rotation continued all night long, ranging from Beatles to Mellencamp to Crosby, Stills, Nash, to even AC/DC - and pretty much tons of music in between.

And, during that 5+ hours - there was no "band break" - with the rotating of musicians - the music kept going.

The event was planned for 3 hours, but through the generosity of the singers who donated their amazing talents - it went 5+ hours (and raised over $500 at the same time!)

The "heart" of the music industry is indeed large!! As, is the "heart" of the fans that came out to support a local establishment, local live music, and a wonderful local charity!!!

What an evening of live music - probably one of the very best live music experiences I have ever attended!!

(except for Ozzy 5th row Aragon, of course)

Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Rock 4 A Reason/Steger

Today we are simply promoting a charity event to be held on Friday, March 3 at The Glass Tap in Steger, IL.

This is the first in a series of Rock 4 A Reason events.  The concept - once a month, assemble awesome local musicians to perform a gig at an awesome local venue to raise money for some amazing local charity.

The Kick-Off Concert is Friday, March 3 at The Glass Tap.  A Beatles/Classic Rock Inspired Jam Night.  The host band is the most awesome High Anxiety, and there will be local musicians joining in all night long.

Former and current members of various bands have indicated participation, from such bands as Green Umbrella, Beatle Buddies, Concrete Shoes, High Anxiety, Little Johnny, Plastik Glass, Kashmir, American English, B4 And After, Time Bandits, Meet The Beatles, The Ralleys, Low Voltage, The Lauds, Last Exit, The Big Boppers, Pepperland Rockestra, Sad Monster Party, Johnny Burnett Band, Sgt. Sauerkraut's Polka Band, Wiresky, Dead Feathers, StarRider, Sniper, and possibly even more.  (This list does not guarantee appearance, only indicates musicians who expressed interest in joining into the jam).

MOST IMPORTANTLY - the local charity - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation.  100% of the proceeds raised during the event will go directly to this charity.  The AshleyCan Foundation raises money which is used to raise awareness of childhood cancer, donated directly to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, donated to other children's hospital, and donated to families impacted with this terrible disease to use towards treatment and care.  The end-goal of this charity is to cure those with childhood cancer - and to END childhood cancer completely!!!!  More details can be found on their homepage (link provided just above) and on their facebook page at AshleyCan Facebook Page.  The charity is based locally in Bourbonnais, IL - however their impact is felt nationwide.

The event webpage is Rock 4 A Reason - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Charity Gig.

Featured Running Event of the Week - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation-Steger Days Of Music 5k

Returning after a brief hiatus from working the various aspects of Steger Days of Music - here is the next featured running event.

The AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation - Steger Days of Music 5k.

This event is run on the Saturday morning of Steger Days of Music beginning a busy day of activities throughout the village.

The event has a summer-friendly early start of 8:00am.  This is a street 5k, but with some uniqueness in the course.  The route starts at the Fire Station and Fire Fighting Practice Complex and heads into a tree-lined neighborhood, after about 1 mile, the course enters the wide streets of a light industrial park, and passes by the start/finish line on its way to an relatively out-and-back segment of the course.  The route heads up an unexpectedly steep hill into a newer subdivision with smaller trees, and not as much shade, before turning towards an older neighborhood and large trees again.  It then begins the "back" portion at just about the 2 mile mark.  On the way back, after going down that surprisingly steep hill, it makes a quick turn into a serene retirement community and makes a loop.  Following that loop, it's all downhill from there, literally.  From the point on, the course begins a long gradual downhill all the way to the finish line - providing a nice finish line kick and a chance to gain some time towards a PR.  Aside from the one obvious hill, the course actually has several very gradual long uphills (which become downhills).  At first they aren't noticeable, until the runner has traversed 4 or 5 blocks and looks back, and realizes why that seemed harder than expected.

But it's not the course that makes the event special.  It's what is ON THE COURSE.  At the start/finish line is a DJ, who starts the race with the National Anthem, and then, upon the gun/horn - plays Eye Of The Tiger and other "motivational" rock songs.  Now, this is especially cool, because not only do runners hear the DJ at the start, and the finish, but also just after 1 mile, as they pass the start/finish line to head to the 2nd part of the course.  Three opportunities to enjoy the DJ stylings of Dave's Entertainment Karaoke & DJ.

But wait, there's more.  After leaving the start line, and before 1 mile is reached, runners encounter a student summer band program.  A complete band, with horns, and woodwinds, and percussion, and everything one would find in a high school band!  Also playing music to motivate the runners, all courtesy of the Steger Summer Rec Band.

But wait, there's more.  On the out-and-back portion of course, right near the water station, is a two-piece live acoustic band, playing everything from classic rock to surf music as runners go by.  What's cool about this is twofold.  One, because it's at the water station, many runners slow down and get to enjoy the music longer and two, because it's on the out-and-back portion, runners get to enjoy the live music of The Big Boppers duo two times.....two times.

But wait, yes, there's MORE.  And it's more music.  Just before (and after) the turn-around an EMA (volunteer Emergency Management Agency) vehicle is playing standard football game/motivational music through it's intercom.  But not just that - accompanying the music is the Steger Storm Cheerleaders - providing much appreciated inspiration and motivation to the runners.

And if that isn't enough, throughout the course various residents - and business owners/employees in the industrial park also cheer on the runners as they pass.

The finish line is awesome too, with grilled hot dogs and chips for everybody, plus the standard runner fare of bananas and granola and such.  And, in addition, for those 21+, a wine tasting tent!!!

And, it all goes for a great charity, the AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which raises money to help find a cure for childhood cancer, to provide treatment to those with childhood cancer, and to provide assistance to the families impacted.

AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Steger Days 5k

The AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Steger Days 5k is in the books - and the first 2 words that come to mind are "Thank you".

Thank you to all of the participants, runners, walkers, joggers, woggers of ALL ages from the single-digits to the golden years!!

Thank you for supporting the cause and coming out! Without you, there is no event.

Secondly, Thank You to the Village of Steger workers. The on-course support provided by the Steger PD and Steger EMA was TOP NOTCH. Compliments were given from many runners and volunteers regarding the support on the course!!!! I am not surprised by this at all, as I have worked with these men and women in blue for years.

Thank you to Steger Public Works. I provided a laundry list of things we would need by 7:00am on a Saturday - and 100% of them were not only delivered, but in some cases, delivered even better than I even asked!!!! Excellent teamwork!

Thank you to our on-course entertainers - the ones who helped make this a truly enjoyable event : The Big Boppers, Steger Summer Rec Band, Dave's Entertainment DJ & Karaoke, and Steger Storm Cheer & Football!!!

Thank you to the neighbors of Steger who came out and cheered on the runners! It really does mean alot to a runner or walker to be cheered on - it's amazing boost!

And, last, but definitely definitely not least all of our wonderful sponsors!! Without your support this would not have been possible: Dari-Whip/Twisted Q BBQ, Steger Days of Music, Creative Squared Custom Picture Framing, JDM Coatings, Mayor Ken Peterson, SteveO Photography, James Herr & Sons Auto Repair, Newk's Boxing Gym, Country Financial Agent Tim Perchinski, Thrivent Financial Agent Larry Burton!

Your support with this event will go a long way in the long fight to end, cure, and treat Childhood Cancer!!

We couldn't have done this without each and every one of you!!! Thank you!!!

Featured Running Event of the Week - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Mother's Day Run/Walk

Some things are worth repeating - this was posted in 2015 - but is worth reposting.

This race is coming up on Sunday, May 8, 2016.  Registration is at :

https://www.raceentry.com/race-reviews/ashleycan-pediatric-cancer-foundation-6th-annual-mothers-day-5k2-mile-walkkids-run

AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation 5k run / 2 mile walk / kids run at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais, IL.

First and foremost - what does this race support?  This race supports the AshleyCan Pediatric Foundation which is dedicated to raising money for research into discovering what causes pediatric cancer and discovering cures and treatments for this terrible disease.  Money is also spent with medical assistance for those in this unfortunate situation.  The AshleyCan Foundation works very closely with the world famous St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Second and still foremost - who organizes this race?  The Montgomery Family in honor of their very strong (AshleyStrong) daughter, Ashley who was TWICE diagnosed with Pediatric Cancer, the second time many many years post-remission.  On a personal note, I had not heard of the Montgomery Family, this race, or this foundation until I was looking for a race last autumn and found the AshleyCan 5k held in September.  (The foundation holds three major race weekends, an 8k on New Year's Day, this Mother's Day Event, and an autumn 10k/5k combo event)  After the 5k, at the food/awards tent, I stayed around to cheer for the medal winners and prior to that, first Mrs. Montgomery spoke and told the crowd why this event exists, what the foundation stands for, and so on.  A very touching speech, reminding all of us about just how many people are afflicted by this terrible disease and also educating us on the great work being done at St. Jude (all from donations, by the way).  Then Ashley herself stepped up and spoke.  At that time she was still in remission from her first bout many years back.  But, the entire day, we all saw her working the race, running around, and getting stuff done.  She is an impressive young lady.  The entire family is strong (or as they say AshleyStrong).  To hear the stories first hand - and to hear about Ashley's current battle (which she is WINNING!!!) is a mixture of emotions, sad that someone has to go through this, but also inspirational to watch the strength of Ashley and the entire family.  Because of the reason for the races - I feel these are 3 must attend events for any runners in the area.

Now, the race itself.  Each event of the three is held in a different location in/around Bourbonnais/Kankakee.  This one is held at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais.  This is a peaceful and scenic track through Perry Farm, alongside the Kankakee River, and part of the nearby neighborhood.  The course is a bike/running/walking path mixed with residential sidestreets.  Participants get the peaceful surroundings of trees and fields and the river for most of the course with a quiet neighborhood setting for the rest of the course.  For the most part this is what some call "an easy" course - mostly flat, no tight turns, nice straights and sweeping turns.  HOWEVER, there is "AshleyCan Challenge Hill" right about in the middle of the course.  And as the event information says, it's a reminder of the challenges faced by the children (and families) dealing with the terrible disease of pediatric cancer.

I've ran 1 other AshleyCan event, I've volunteered for another, and I have ran a variation of this course.  I highly recommend this event.  It is on Mother's Day, but starts early enough to still enjoy the entire day with Mom.  Bring Mom out to the event and walk with her - or see her at the finish line - what a great way to start the Mother's Day celebration.
 

STEGER DAYS OF MUSIC 2016 - LINEUP ANNOUNCED

FRIDAY JULY 8 (free admission)
7:00pm - The Shift
8:30pm - Epic
After Show - Karaoke with DJ Dave

SATURDAY JULY 9 (tickets on sale March 5)
8:00am - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure 5k (starts outside Fire Station/Temp Village Hall)
8:00am - The Big Boppers (live on the 5K course)
1:00pm - Bingo
3:30pm - Windy City Dueling Pianos
5:30pm - Nobody's Business
7:00pm - Iron Horse
8:30pm - Joe Nichols
After Show - Karaoke with DJ Dave

SUNDAY JULY 10 (free admission)
1:00pm - Annual Parade (Fireman's Park to Veterans Park)
2:15pm - Bacchanal
3:30pm - Serendipity
5:00pm - Room To Move - Performing Arts
6:00pm - Little Johnny & The HouseRockers
7:30pm - 95th Street Band
9:15pm - Fireworks Celebration


For tickets and more information go to www.stegerdaysofmusic.com


For 5k registration and information go to https://www.raceentry.com/race-reviews/ashleycan-race-for-a-cure-5k-steger-days

AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation - Race for the Cure 5k - Steger Days of Music Weekend

Attention runners!!

The AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation has added a NEW 5k for 2016? The "Race For The Cure" takes place on Saturday, July 9 as part of the Steger Days of Music Weekend, in Steger, IL. The course is a certified course, with a unique route blending older neighborhoods, a light industrial park, and newer neighborhoods. There are even some unexpected hills in the otherwise flatlands of Steger. The route even includes a live band in the out-and-back portion of the course!

Details and registration at :


https://www.raceentry.com/race-reviews/ashleycan-race-for-a-cure-5k-steger-days

or

http://www.ashleycan.org/#!running-events/z64th

AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation now has a blog

The first entry is written by the Mother of a child with childhood cancer.


I've met this family, through running, of all things, and this is a strong family, a fun family, a Christian family, and what I notice most is a POSITIVE family. If you didn't know the story, you'd never know the story. They don't sit around and complain about it. When I first met Ashley - I didn't know who she was at all - and I was at an AshleyCan 5k. Watching her work all of the various items at the 5k - and watching her family work it (before I knew who they were) - I had no idea, THIS was Ashley and her family. This is a great family, battling a terrible disease. This is a family who is (to paraphrase The Beatles) taking a sad song and trying to make it better - for all children and families who are impacted by this awful disease. This family gives people strength!

Blog at - http://momo1024.simplesite.com/?b=D22C56A87C9DF671C8474B9C9FE2798285EE1

Main site at - http://www.ashleycan.org/

Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/AshleyCan-Pediatric-Cancer-Foundation-137201096364072/

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Help the AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital end childhood cancer once and for all. Contact either organization to see how you can help. The AshleyCan Foundation is having a 3.6 mile walk Sat 9/12 (3.6 representing the 36 children diagnosed EVERY DAY) and on Sun 9/13 a 5k/10k/Half-Marathon/1-mile event. Check their fb page for details.