CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Christie Clinic Illinois Race Week has finally arrived, and we have a few key reminders that you will need to be mindful of for a smooth weekend. Joining ciLiving today and sponsoring today’s segment is Illinois Marathon runner, Sven Johnson.
About Sven Johnson:
- Sven is running in the Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon this year.
- Sven has run 97 marathons, including 15 Chicago Marathons.
- Sven had the goal of hitting his 100th marathon this last year, but due to a foot injury, a lisfranc dislocation, he had to have his foot rebuilt using metal plates and screws. He is currently in recovery and working back up to running full marathons again.
- His recovery started with 3 weeks of full immobilization, to a cast, to a boot, to a special shoe which he still uses today along with physical therapy.
- He currently uses the run-walk-run method for training to allow for him to still participate in the sport he loves while avoiding further injury.
- He is a Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend legacy runner and has participated in every Illinois Marathon from 2009-2019.
Fundraising:
- Sven’s Wife had breast cancer in 2007, which kick-started his journey as a charity runner raising money for cancer research foundations.
- His passion came from his striving to find a way to turn something bad into something positive.
- Since 2011 Sven has run for Imerman Angels, a foundation that provides free, personalized one-on-one cancer support for cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers.
- Imerman Angels provides those affected by cancer a “Mentor Angel”, cancer confidantes with similar stories and experiences that help them through the process.
- In every race, Sven wears angel wings with photos of those affected by cancer on them, pictured below.
Race Week Reminders:
Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is here and there are some key reminders for our runners, spectators and community that we want to share.
- It all starts with our Health & Fitness Expo presented by Body n’ Sole and sponsored by the Village of Savoy kicks off the weekend on Thursday, April 25 at 4 p.m. That evening, Green Street Mile kick off at 7:30 p.m.
- The Expo continues on Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday evening features the Illinois 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 p.m.
- Then, Saturday Morning is the main event: our 10K, half marathon and full marathon events will start taking to the streets at 7:30 a.m. and the Busey Bank Illinois Youth Run will start at 3 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium.
- Some routes will be impacted by street closures throughout the weekend. You can head to illinoismarathon.com/course-info/ to see maps and learn more about navigating Champaign, Urbana and Savoy throughout the event.
- There is still time to register and take part in our events! If you’d like to sign up to run with us, it’s not too late. Visit IllinoisMarathon.com and click “Register”!
- Interested in helping us bring race weekend to life? Sign up to volunteer – visit illinoismarathon.com/get-involved/volunteer/ to see what shifts are available.
- Sponsored by Spiros Law, P.C., our FREE mobile race app—downloadable for Android as well as iPhone, iPad, tablets and is for the participant, spectator, and fan, and puts the most important race info right at your fingertips.
- Live tracking in the App lets you follow the progress of friends and family during the race.
- Whether you are in Champaign-Urbana or 1,000 miles away, the mobile race app will bring race weekend right to where you are.
Website
https://illinoismarathon.com/;
https://imermanangels.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=4074
