Southwest Half Ready for 5th Edition

The 5th annual First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon is ready to go. The 7:30 start on Sunday will feature a strong field with some money and pride on the line for a large, quality field toeing the line for competition and fun. The race starts at Route 83 and 76th Avenue. The primarily east-west out-and-back course runs primarily along Route 83. As the race's Web site says, the course "weaves through gorgeous forest paths and flat pavement through the cities of Palos Heights, Palos Park and Palos Hills." It's anyone's guess who will win. Last year's men's field was led by the 1-2 Kenyan punch of Benson Cheruiyot and Julius Kiptoo in 1:05:01 and 1:05:05. Erin Moffett was women's winner in 2011 with a 1:19:27. I don't know if any of them are back. A lot of the area's best age-group runners wil be there competing for CARA Runners Choice Circuit points. Good luck to all.