Why would more than a dozen working and stay-at-home moms run 13.1 miles in a Chicago winter?
Because they can — and they really want to. And they’re helping a cause to boot.
The group is calling it “The Deep Freeze,” a half-marathon being run through Elmhurst at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.
It all started when three Elmhurst moms who wanted to stay in shape through the holidays started training to run a January half-marathon in Naples, Fla. But logistically it just didn’t work out so they decided to organize their own half-marathon closer to home — in Elmhurst, in the middle of winter.
Johnson organizes the Annie Ryan Fun Run, is on the Visitation Catholic School Board, and serves as homeroom mom and helps coach basketball. She and her 11-year-old son designed the Deep Freeze course so that it passes by every participant’s house, that way families can cheer the runners on and provide water along the way.
“We picked January because it’s a hard month to get through and because of the weather,” Johnson said. “It was something to keep you sane through the holidays and a way to stand up to the weather and not let it force you back inside.”
Photo by BitchBuzz