Dam to Dam 20K Run
HP Community Action Association
Lotsa People. Some 5,000 runners enter the Dam to Dam 20 Kilometer Run held every June. Most live to finish it. The route runs directly thru the Oak Park portion of our Highland Park Business Club turf. The Oak Park Water Station takes top honors every year. These photos cover the June 3, 2006 competition.
Not a Level Playing Field. As the runners turn off Aurora (our Des Moines city limit on the north) and head up 11th Street, the supporters and cheerers on the sidelines are starting to gather. Prior to entering Oak Park, the runners were pretty much out in the boonies -- 40th and plowed ground.
Good Day for a Morning Run. June can be hot or cold at 7 am. This June was a balmy 60 degrees -- maybe a little warm for such a long run. However, most of the runners had worked up a good sweat by this time. Water becomes increasingly important during a long run.
Good Day for Race Watchers. The weather was perfect for run fans. Maybe a little warm for the runners. But it was a perfect morning to utilize your favorite lawn chair.
Non-Race Fan. This guy liked the 20K Run about as much as the drivers who were tied up in traffic. You can tell by looking at his eyes -- very similar to several of the drivers held up by sweaty runners.
Meanwhile on Oak Park. Oddly enough Oak Park Avenue runs right past McHenry Park with its wide street and numerous shade trees. Its double-wide road makes it a great place for the extra room you need to host a world-class water station.
Lotsa Patrons. And that's why you see so many runners patronizing the Oak Park Water Station. Convenience plus massive thirst, of course.
Messy Crowd. Oak Park Avenue was temporarily repaved with Dr. Pepper cups. Sorry, no Dr. Pepper but plenty of water provided by the Crystal Clear Water bottled water company. On the other side of the street, the Oak Park Water Station provided Gatorade.
Lotsa Water Pushers. Here's a former Oak Park resident holding up a refreshing Dr. Pepper cup full of Crystal Clear Water.
Not the Quicker Picker Upper. Here's another former Oak Park resident lured back to the scene. You might say he's an official bag man.
One for the Road. Here's an official resident of Oak Park (who actually lives on Oak Park Avenue) tending bar at the Water Station. Looks like a Highland Park resident way in the back.
Oak Park Boogeyer. The one guy going the wrong direction here and singing along with every song was saying: "No jogging on Oak Park. Everybody boogeys on Oak Park." They play lots of moldie oldies during their hours of operation.
Hallelujah, Brother. He looks like (and is) one of the Fabulous Trademarks (autographed CDs available in the lobby). Mr. Microphone strikes again. His wife says "He's in his element."
♫ Cool, Clear, Water.♫ Actually, the Oak Park Water Station was more like multi-water stations.
Time to Get Running Again. After the cool refreshing water break, it's time to sweat gain.
As the Run Progresses ... Some of the runners were hotter than others.
Instant Cool. Many of the runners personally thanked this Hoser. He was at the Water Station also.
Exit the Water Station. All good things must come to an end -- even the Oak Park Water Station, a true oasis in the Dam to Dam 20k trek. This water arch made the perfect exit.
Heading Downtown. When the runners hit Sixth Avenue, they turned right and headed toward town. However, they took many sweaty turns and twists before they ran thru the finalists' chute at Nollen Plaza downtown. LA
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