Lack of snow doesn’t stop snowshoe run
BY Sarah Ewing Contributor January 31, 2012 12:06PM
Albert Carbo of Madison, Wis., was the first to finish Sunday's "Frozen Zucchini Snowshoe Adventure 5K" at Citizens Park in Barrington. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:07AM
Snowshoeing around Barrington may not be the first thing people think of when it comes to one of Barrington’s newest organizations, Smart Farm, but on Sunday more than 100 runners and 60 volunteers showed up for Smart Farm’s Frozen Zucchini Snowshoe Adventure at Citizens Park.
Smart Farm has a gardening patch at Ron Beese Park and offers learning opportunities in sustainable gardening for children and adults. The organization promotes benefits of sustainable gardening and donates food to local food pantries around the area.
The second annual 5k Snowshoe run turned into just a regular marathon type run due to the lack of snow on the ground; however, many still wanted to rent snowshoes or brought their own to participate. The entire event is a huge fundraiser for Smart Farm. The cost was $40 to participate in the run.
Many members of the community brought their whole family along. One man stated it’s a fun event to bring the kids to and it helps support a great cause. Some participants could be seen in full running gear expecting to win the race while others were there just to have some fun.
“It’s definitely grown since last year, and it will continue to grow,” Smart Farm co-founder Kathy Gabelman said.
Community members who attended the Frozen Zucchini run got a chance to try samples from several venders that helped sponsor the event. Whole Foods, Erehwon, FRS Energy Drink and 100.3 Rewind could be seen at the event with some businesses offering samples to participants. Sponsors said it was a great cause in which to get involved in.
“Most of our sponsors came to us. We didn’t seek them out,” Gabelman said. In addition to participants being able to sample products from sponsors and take their picture with the Zucchini Man, 22 prizes were available for winners of the race. Prizes included $1,000 worth of gift cards from Erehwon, gift certificates to Pearl Izumi and Zucchini gift baskets. The entire course was the perimeter of Citizens Park. Participants were given a map with directions of the course and the option of doing a 2-mile path instead of a 3-mile path.
Although the snowshoe adventure will be held in Barrington again next year, the exact location has not been set yet.
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