The first Jason Crompton Memorial 5K Bear Run and Walk was held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Evanston’s Bear River State Park.
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EVANSTON — The first Jason Crompton Memorial 5K Bear Run and Walk was held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Evanston’s Bear River State Park. The morning began cool and clear, providing some fine weather for the approximately 70 participants.
The group gathered around the Bear Pavilion awaiting instructions was mostly a sea of green race t-shirts; however, a few people honored Jason’s memory by dressing in costume for the race. Several people wore tutus for the event, while others dressed as Hogwarts students from Harry Potter and another looked like Yukon Cornelius from the classic animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Jason at times wore costumes when competing and a fun-filled spirit was evident on Saturday morning.
The participants spanned all ages and included solo runners and walkers, families with kids in strollers and on bicycles and some with pets on leashes. There were many Crompton family members in attendance, along with family friends and those who had competed with Jason in the past.
Most chose to walk the course but there were 18 runners who participated. For both runners and walkers, Jason’s mother, Elsie Crompton, waited by the finish line to distribute cookies and water bottles to all participants as they completed the race.
Elsie said, “We’re really thankful for all of those who showed up and participated, it was a great turnout.” She was especially impressed with those who dressed in costume. “We didn’t even think to ask people to do that,” Elsie said. “They came up with that on their own, but it’s pretty neat.”
Most participants remained at the Bear Pavilion for the Bear Parkway Memorial Tree Grove Recognition Ceremony that took place immediately following the race, in which Jason was among those memorialized. Runners, walkers and race organizers then regrouped to recognize race winners.
All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Jason Crompton Memorial Scholarship fund for Evanston High School students. Elsie said that they raised approximately $3,500 from event registrations, donations and sponsorships.
