Over 200 People Run in Solidarity for Boston

The run started with a Facebook event and about 50 people signed up.

By Monday night, the number quadrupled when over 200 people showed at Running for Kicks in Palos Heights to participate in their Runners for Boston Solidarity Run.

“When I see this big turnout, it’s pretty emotional for me,” said store owner Mel Diab, who ran in the Boston Marathon. “Runners are so communal, we get along with everybody. We have no political agenda. We’re pretty tough guys and girls. We get up on our off day and run 26 miles. This is a blessing. It’s just amazing.”

Diab was among about 20 runners from the local Yankee Runners group who ran in Boston last week. Members from the group who also traveled to Boston included James Bruce, Amy Bugala, Christine Kickels from Lemont; Ric Nielsen from Orland Park; David Mauger, Joe Werner from Tinley Park; Jeanne Dolan of Chicago; Geof Brown, Mark Reilly from Homer Township and Steve Rice from Oak Lawn, said Spero Speropoulos, who also is a member of the running group.

“All of us came back safe and sound, which is a blessing,” Diab said. “I know what happened but I can’t wrap my head around it. I thought originally it was a gas explosion.”

Runners ran two routes starting from the store, both about four to six miles with pace keepers, and a third group walked about four miles. Palos Heights police officers were there to allow runners safe passage through the busy Harlem Avenue and 127^th Street intersection.

Running for Kicks is selling tshirts for the The One Fund, established by Boston and Massachusetts officials to help those affected by the bombing. Shirts are $20 with all proceeds going to the fund.

“We hope to raise a lot of money,” Diab said. “We sold 100 shirts already, so that’s $2,000 right there, and we’ll try to sell more shirts, and pre book orders.”

YOUR TURN: Did you participate in this event? Share your photos and video in the media gallery. Plus tell us in the comments section what running in support of Boston meant to you.  

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