Arlington Heights Rotary Club 5K biggest of all time

More than 1,400 people wearing fur-trimmed Santa Claus suits and sporting white, elastic-band beards surged across the starting line on a drizzly Saturday morning as the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights’ fourth annual 5K Santa Run got under way a little after 10 a.m. in downtown Arlington Heights.

The club’s signature fundraiser drew participants ranging from 8-year-old Ryan Carlson of Arlington Heights — who ran with his mom, Randi, his dad, Paul, and 10 year-old sister, Bailey — to 80-year-old Arlington Heights resident Ed Kaloustian, who walked with his wife, Ellen, 78, and their two sons.

Organizers estimated 1,426 runners and walkers participated in the 5K, which typically raises between $20,000 and $30,000 for local projects, including the Arlington Heights Memorial Library jobseekers program and the refurbishment of Memorial Park, as well as Rotary International efforts to eradicate polio.

Participants included families like Randi Carlson’s — who got involved as a way of making exercise fun — as well as experienced 10K runners like men’s top finisher Rich Daubert, 30, who registered Saturday after battling illness all week.

“It’s a good cause,” said the Arlington Heights resident, who finished in 17 minutes, 20 seconds.

“It’s such a nice community event. Everyone’s running for fun,” said Lisa Anstandig, 55, an Arlington Heights resident participating in her second Santa Run.

Bob Rorhman led off the event, which included the inaugural Reindeer Run for ages 10 and younger and drew about 70 children. Total participation approached 1,500, making it the club’s biggest Santa Run yet, race chairman Dominic Gaultieri said.

Motivation varies, Gaultieri said. “Some people are going for a personal record and others are here just for fun.”

Charity inspires others.

“Some people register to get the free Santa suit,” quipped Rotary Club member Deb Whisler.

“It’s a fun event,” said 18-year-old Ashley Miller, a senior at Rolling Meadows High School and a member of its track team. The first female runner to cross the finish line, Miller, of Arlington Heights, ran the 5K in a little over 21 minutes.

The Paton brothers of Prospect Heights — 16-year-old T.J., 13-year-old Kevin and 11-year-old Sean — finished the race ahead of their parents, who T.J. said were a little out of practice.

Tim McDonald, a marathon runner and member of the Arlington Trotters Running Club, ran with his nephew Nick Serio, 13, of Mount Prospect, who was participating in his first 5K. McDonald said he prefers to run in charity events.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community,” added fellow Trotters member and Santa Run participant Nick Pinto, who said the only mishap he experienced during the rain-soaked event was losing his Santa beard about a mile into the race.

Kendall Popp pushed her son Mason, 2, in his stroller.

“He said hi to every single person who ran past us,” said Popp, 22, of Crystal Lake, who was accompanied by her father, Jeff, a marathon runner and Ironman participant.

This marked the first time the family participated in the Santa Run, Jeff Popp said. It likely won’t be the last.

“I think this is something we’ll keep doing,” Kendall Popp said.