Hundreds of Naperville Locals Run for Boston Marathon Victims

Naperville's running community came together for a solidarity run in the heart of the city Monday evening to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, which shook the nation just one week ago. 

A group of about 200 runners gathered in front of Naperville Running Company for the start of the unofficial race with many runners sporting yellow and blue, the colors of the 2013 Boston Marathon. 

The race was organized by Naperville Running Company owner, Kris Hartner, who said the aftermath of last week's tragedy emotionally effected runners everywhere. 

"It just really, really struck home with everybody," he said after the race. "After the events last Monday, after the tragic explosions, we immediately had really an outpouring from our running community, our customers and our employees. We all wanted to figure out some way, we wanted to do something, we wanted to help."  

Along with organizing Monday's race, the local running store also designed a "Runners for Boston" t-shirt, which are being sold in independent running stores across the country. The shirts have already raised more than $10,000 for One Fund Boston, the official charity endorsed by the Boston Athletic Association and Boston officials to aid bombing victims. 

Hartner said 500 shirts were sold in 70 minutes when they were released on Saturday at the downtown store and he has already ordered 400 additional shirts. 

"We had a line out the door," he said. "People were just so positive about it and wanting to help and wanting to do more." 

Once the the explosions occurred last Monday, Hartner said many concerned locals were contacting the store to ask if anyone from the area was involved in the race. 

Naperville Running Company employee Erin Sariss ran in the Boston Marathon after competing in her first marathon last year in Chicago. Sariss said running in the Boston Marathon was a moment of jubilation that turned into shock and horror.

"It was bittersweet the moment those explosions went off," she said. "I got so much support from my friends and family here (after it happened)."

Sariss said once she heard about plans for last night's solidarity run, she knew she had to take part to show her support.

"It was good to be here for a good cause and to be able to raise money for the victims," Sariss said after the race. 

"Runners for Boston" shirts can be purchased at Naperville Running Company. The donation is $20, all of which will be forwarded to One Fund Boston.

For more information:

http://www.runningcompany.com

https://onefundboston.org/