Chicago Man, Bartlett Woman Win Hidden Gem Half Marathon

FLOSSMOOR, IL — A Chicago man and a Bartlett woman were the winners in Saturday's Hidden Gem Half Marathon, the first race of its kind in Flossmoor.

Alan Peterson, 27, finished the 13.1-mile course in 1:04:17. Alyssa Schneider, 26, was the first woman to cross the finish line, completing her run in 1:15:36, according to the event's website. They were the top from among the roughly 550 runners who participated in the half marathon.

Runners from 15 states — including an elite class of Olympic-caliber runners— registered to compete, all competing for the $3,500 cash purse.

"AMAZING inaugural race," one runner wrote on the event's Facebook page. "Very organized, awesome race course support a true 'gem' of a half marathon. I will run this again if the race comes back next year."

The Hidden Gem Half Marathon is certified by the United States Track and Field and recognized by The Chicago Area Runners Association, and it is timed for those training for the Chicago Marathon in October.

The event was organized by a citizen-action committee called Flossmoor's Future. The Hidden Gem Half Marathon is the group's first event.