More Than 1,000 Runners Finish North Shore Classic Half Marathon

HIGHLAND PARK, IL -- Thousands of runners took part in the 39th annual North Shore Classic Half Marathon and 5K event on Sunday in Highland Park. The race started and ended about two blocks east of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road in downtown Highland Park.

"It was pretty hot, but a well run race," said Ronald Hershow of Wilmette, a runner who was competing in the race for the first time on Sunday. "The last 4 (miles) are always the toughest part, but when the sun came out around that time, that was that."

Patrick McInerney, director of propaganda, digital engagement and innovation for RAM Racing, said holding the race in June means that hot weather is the "nature of the beast." But volunteers worked hard to ensure the safety of all the runners.

"We had extra medical out and cold towels for runners at the end," he said.

McInerney considers the event "probably the most beautiful half marathon course in Chicagoland."

"You don't get to run a course like this on streets anywhere else," he said. "We had a pretty fast field today and that's what we are going for. To have a fast course."

Full results and photos from the North Shore Classic can be found here.

Photos by Tim Moran / Patch