Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is returning for its April 2024 event with a new charitable program for youth runners to take part in the race weekend festivities.
The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is an annual running event that takes participants through the scenic streets of Champaign-Urbana & Savoy, IL. It is one of the 100 largest races in the United States, drawing nearly 10,000 finishers in 2023. The 2024 edition will take place on April 25-27, 2024, and will feature a 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, 4-person relay, youth run and multi-event challenges.
In partnership with Body n’ Sole Sports, the race has created and launched its new non-profit, Kicks for CU Kids. The organization aims to provide free running shoes and socks to youth in need who are participating in the 5K or Busey Bank Illinois Youth Run, helping them to reach their goals during race weekend.
Local specialty running store Body n’ Sole Sports will be supplying products and staff expertise. Its partnership with Kicks for CU Kids includes hosting shoe fittings for youth and providing running shoes.
With the help of supporters of the program, including Human Kinetics, Second Running Club, Serra Champaign, and The Michael Hogue Team/RE/Max, the program has already raised US$7,500 to outfit kids in need with shoes and socks from Body n’ Sole.
Kicks for CU Kids was created for youth in the Champaign-Urbana area who are underrepresented at the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend.
This year’s recipient of the first Kicks for CU Kids grant was Stephens Family YMCA Girls on the Run of Champaign County (GOTR). The grant provided professionally fitted running shoes and running socks to two GOTR teams for the spring 2024 season.
“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.”
With the reintroduction of the marathon distance, participation in the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels (when it drew over 15,000 runners). Since its inception, the event has donated US$1.7 million to charities in the community and generated an estimated US$6 million in economic impact annually.
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