Team SALUTE targets 22nd Bank of America Chicago Marathon Run with special guest

When the Bank of America Chicago Marathon steps off on Oct. 13, 160 charity athletes representing SALUTE, INC., will be among the participants. Known as Team SALUTE, these marathoners will be conquering a personal milestone while also raising critical funds so that the Palatine-based nonprofit can continue its mission of providing temporary financial assistance to injured military veterans and their families.

“As an official charity partner organization, we are able to purchase a limited number of guaranteed entries for our athletes,” said Sue Hussey, director of Team SALUTE. “Each athlete then secures pledges from family, friends and businesses with funds directed to SALUTE, INC. It’s a winning combination for all involved.”

Running with Team SALUTE this year will be U.S. Army veteran Lyndsey Hawk. Lyndsey and her husband, Dustin, have been recipients of support from SALUTE after Dustin suffered a significant brain injury while both were on active duty. An avid runner, Dustin collapsed while on a training run and was left confined to a wheelchair.

Inspired to not lose their passion for competition, Lyndsey began participating in events, running while pushing Dustin in an adaptive running chair that was provided by SALUTE. To honor her commitment, SALUTE invited her to join Team SALUTE for the Chicago Marathon this year. A longtime Team SALUTE member, Matt Ryan of Chicago, has personally funded Lyndsey and Dustin’s trip to Chicago from their current home in San Antonio, Texas.

“We couldn’t be prouder to have Lyndsey join us for our 22nd Chicago Marathon,” Hussey said. “The funds our runners raise go directly to helping military families find care and healing, whether it is paying their mortgage for a month so a veteran can enter a 30-day treatment program, helping with car repair bills so a mom can get to work, or helping someone like Dustin and Lyndsey have some semblance of normalcy in an otherwise disrupted life.”

Donors can support Team SALUTE at saluteinc.org/donate.

Aspiring runners interested in joining Team SALUTE for the 2025 Chicago Marathon can contact Hussey now at (847) 359-8811.

To learn more about SALUTE, INC., visit saluteinc.org.