After a hiatus of several years, the Midway 5K returned Sunday, Sept. 13, bringing more than 1,000 runners and walkers to the tarmac at Midway International Airport for a race unlike any other in Chicago.
The sold-out event raised more than $100,000 for Special Children’s Charities, an organization that provides year-round sports, recreation, and inclusion programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the city.
Participants ran and walked a 3.1-mile course along a service road parallel to a Southwest Airlines maintenance hangar, all while jets landed and took off in the distance.
“It’s extraordinary,” said Smita Shah, CEO of SPAAN Tech Inc. and board member of Special Children’s Charities, who chaired the event.
Initial planning involved combining the ability to raise money for Special Children’s Charities, while rallying people around the organization’s mission and providing them with a unique experience while doing so, all at the same time, she said.
“We said, ‘Maybe we can do something on the runway at Midway,'” Shah said. “And what an amazing thing!”
After talking to Special Children’s Charities, the Chicago Dept. of Aviation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Airlines and other sponsors, everyone joined with enthusiasm, coming together to make the event happen, she said.
“It’s just a real testament to what we do as Chicagoans, as families, as businesses, as people,” Shah said. “We support the place where our children live, where our business, our employees live, where they’re raised, the schools, everything. That’s Chicago!”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul who also supported and attended the event praised its return and mission.
“It’s tremendous that they could arrange and return to having a 5K after several years of not having it, since pre-pandemic,” Raoul said. “It’s important to realize what the cause is for which is to make sure we raise funding for resources to allow those with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to athletics, the arts, and other resources that most Chicagoans have access to.”
For Raoul, the event also had a personal connection to it noting athletics has been a huge part of his life and development over the years.
“I still enjoy it at my more mature age,” he said. “It continues to be an important part of my life, and shouldn’t be denied to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs also attended to support the cause.
“I’m excited to be out here today to support Children’s Special Charities,” Frerichs said. “In the Treasurer’s Office, we run a 529 savings program for people with disabilities. It’s called ABLE, and it stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. That’s what Children’s Special Charities tries to do here in Chicagoland, to give these athletes a better life experience.”
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th), a dedicated runner himself, ran the race with aide Jose I. Lopez (no relation) running as well.
“I’m proud to support Children’s Special Charities and everything that they do,” he said. “I’m also glad to see the return of this great tradition at the airport. Looking forward to seeing more years of this event; I’m sure we can squeeze in one more if we really tried.”
The event drew an eclectic mix of participants.
Samuel Fowler, a competitive runner, crossed the finish line first with a time of just over 16 minutes.
“I’ve been running since high school, so it’s been about 11 years now,” Fowler said. “Oh my God, it’s amazing. This is such a unique experience; a once in a lifetime experience. It’s so cool to run on an active airway. Seeing the planes take off is just amazing. This is such a great event and It’s amazing that they’re supporting such a great charity.”
Patrick Birk, a first officer at American Airlines, ran in his full pilot uniform, representing pilots at O’Hare.
“That was an amazing race with 1,000 runners and it’s benefiting the children’s charities,” he said. “We’re here at Midway Airport and we had the pleasure of running on the secure airport area. As I’m looking off into the distance, airplanes are landing and taking off. We’re right here in the middle of the action and we just finished a 5K run and race.
Steven Beach, a flight attendant at United Airlines, also participated—on his 38th birthday.
“You don’t get the opportunity to be on the tarmac very often,” Beach said. “Like the captain said, right here on the runway, active runway, watching planes land over our head. Very cool experience.” Beach “landed” before the captain however running 3.1 miles in 20:47 minutes, a 6:42 mile.
The event also featured the Midway Miler, a 1-mile race for children ages 5 and over, along with music from a DJ, face painting, and awards for race finishers.
Teri Ali, a Chicago Children’s Charities team captain, along with grand-daughter Charlotte was excited to do the walk with all three of her grandkids, she said.
All four received custom pre-race face paint art prior to starting the walk with Ali talked into a pink-heart on her cheek with sparkles.
“Oh perfect. Both wrinkles,” she joked.
The race was emceed by NBC 5 Chicago’s Stefan Holt.
To donate to Chicago Children’s Charities, click here.