By Jewel McCullem, TUBC Glendale Heights
On Sunday, July 17, I volunteered at the largest 5K and 10K for women in the Midwest: the 12th annual Fleet Feet Chicago and New Balance fundraiser for the Chicago Special Olympics.
The runners’ lengthy course took them from Montrose Harbor north to Foster Beach House, back down around Cricket Hill and south to Belmont Harbor. The attendance turnout was fabulous, and there were participants ranging from ages 1 to 86!
Energetic family and friends lined the start and finish lines with signs to welcome and support the runners. After the race was completed, the participants came over to the Tricoci University tents to receive mini-manicures and hand massages. I met a lot of very energetic women who have been runners for years. I gave a mini-manicure to a woman who had finished the Fleet Feet 5K race – who also ran a 10K just the day before!
While servicing the women, I talked about my experiences at TU and gave them information about our school, what we do and our citywide locations. The event was an amazing opportunity for us to get the positive word out about TUBC – and even to promote myself as a stylist!
Everyone thought the massages and manicure concept was a wonderful idea to unwind and relax after the race; I even overheard one woman say, “Hey, if I knew you guys were here I may have finished the race a little faster!”