Inaugural Naperville Trail Half Draws 593

With a half here and half there (Chicago and Crystal Lake) on the same morning, I wasn't sure how the new Naperville Trails Half Marathon would do on Sunday (Sept. 12). The returns are in, and the race on the chopped limestone trails of Danada and Herrick Lake Forest Preserves in DuPage County was a resounding success with 593 finishers. First across the finish line was Justin Henry, 26, of Gunnison, CO, who ran a 1:14:17. Second went to Jeff Vilinek, 40, of Glen Ellyn, in 1:21:19, and third went to David Gramer, 23, of Cortland, IL, in 1:23:30. And, like Crystal Lake, this one had a women's winner in her 30s. Second and third were, too! Winner was Julie Rakow, 37, of West Chicago, in 1:31:26. Next came Maegan Harris, 31, of Aurora, in 1:36:27, and third was Joanne Singleton, 38, of Chicago, in 1:37:23. Looks as if three halfs equalled a whole lot of contented runners this past weekend.