Glow in the Park races to Walker's Millennium Park

On Saturday, July 26, Millennium Park in Walker will be full of glowing runners. Glow in the Park will begin at dark, around 9:15 p.m. During this 5K race, runners decorate themselves in glow paint and race through foam and blacklights.

Glow in the Park, a Trivium Racing event, returns to Walker for a second year after over 600 runners participated in 2013. The run is open to people of all ages. 

Richard Swor, coordinator of Glow in the Park, has been running in road races and triathlons most of his life.

“The Glow in the Park events are a chance to celebrate activity, give back some to charity and bring a lot of people together that might be intimidated by your everyday 5K,” Swor says.

“I am partial to the Foam Machines,” says Swor. “To this day I still giggle like a little kid when I run through them! I think the best part is seeing everyone- kids, adults, grandparents [and] dogs- covered from head to toe in glow!”

Registered runners will receive a goodie bag before the race that contains glow decorations to wear. All of the glow products are safe for the environment and can be washed off clothing and skin. 

This year there are five stations that athletes pass through twice. Each station will have special features, such as foam cannons, foam machines, glow powder tunnels and glow water tunnels. Runners will race through 40 different blacklight panels, illuminating them as they sprint past. When runners finish the race, DJ Sammy Citrus will be playing music for a post race dance party.

“Runners can expect something they have never seen before. Even if they were at our event last year, things are even more glowy,” Swor says.

Glow in the Park travels from state to state, partnering with local charities.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Family Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support for individuals with special needs.

Runners can sign up individually or in teams of four. Tickets are $50 online or $55 at the door. To register for Glow in the Park visit their website. Swor is offering a 20% discount for readers of this article by typing in the code RAPIDIANGLOWS.