My first 5k - The Divine Nine 5k: I made it!!!

Happy Monday, everyone!  

So summer has FINALLY arrived in Chicagoland, going from 60-90 in a single bound!  Well played Mother Nature, well played!  

So in the heat yesterday I completed my very first 5k, The Divine Nine 5k! Let me start from the beginning... 

One of many hats I wear these days is the Co-chair of the Community Outreach Committee of the National Panhellenic Council of Chicago (NPHCC).  Learn more about the NPHC here.  At our March meeting, Neecy Roney spoke to the Council about being a sponsor for an event she was planning, The Divine Nine 5k, which we overwhelmingly agreed to do.  As the outreach co-chair, of course I was going to participate!  

The Divine Nine 5k was slated to be a walk/run race that would bring together members, family and friends of the Divine Nine organizations (you can learn more here).  The idea for the race was created by Chicks with Kicks, Inc., Ms. Roney's organization, and ultimately sponsored by Chicks with Kicks, Inc., the NPHCC, Que's Got Sole, State Farm Insurance, At Your Service Home Care, Villa, American Family Insurance and donations from Jewel-Osco. The proceeds from the race will fund scholarships for high school seniors.  (See a theme here with the things I choose to participate in????).

Anyhoo, the race was held on yesterday at the beautiful Montrose Harbor park in Chicago. There were over 400 registrants (not bad for the very first race) and it was an awesome morning!  Two of the objectives of the race were unity and fellowship among the greeks, which definitely occurred. Everyone represented and supported one another.  It was a good day to be greek in Chicago!  There was also an additional opportunity for service in the form of donating gently used shoes to Que's Got Soul, which in turn will donate them to third world countries.  There were also vendors on hand during the post-race celebration, as well as performances from a drum line and a cheer squad.  Great, great morning!  

Each participant received a goodie bag with a t-shirt and other goodies, as well as a racing bib (my first!) and a medal at the completion of the race.  I felt super official once I got my bib, lol!!!  Kudos to the Divine Nine 5k Committee, all of whom worked very hard in putting this race together and their work was evident!  Kudos to the NPHCC for supporting in full force; the kids will appreciate our efforts!  And kudos to all of the participants, because you made it happen!

Am I inspired to do another 5k?  Absolutely!!!  Might even work my way up to a bigger race (uh, not this year though!).  Here are some photos from the race:

Banners:  

The beautiful organizer, Ms. Neecy Roney of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.:

Me, pre-race (with my official race bib), and a group shot of some of my sorors (the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.) pre-race:

The beautiful Chicago lakefront and skyline:

Race participants/volunteers/sponsors:

I even took a few selfies and photos with folks I haven't seen in awhile:

Me & Angie Porter-Wooten; we went to high school together!!!

 

Me & LaShaun Randle, my Sigma big sister!!!

Me & Teresa Mathis, my picnic/bowling buddy!!!

Me & urban dude!

Me and my soror, Pamela Sanner; my race buddy for the day!!!

Last but not least, at the end of every race, you get the coveted prize; your race medal that says I saw, I ran/walked, I conquered!  Well done, Divine Nine, well done!!!

What about you - have you participated in any races this year?  Are you a newbie like me? Tell me about it - Holla @ Darvi!!!  Be blessed!