Feature Title
Cocoa Classic 5k through Santa’s Rock N Lights: December 2022
By: Krista Volk, All Community Events Ambassador
“What a fun race,” is what was heard throughout the crowd last Saturday evening! This was the first time that runners got to experience the amazing light show and glorious music throughout this 5k course! This event is popular all through December as cars drive through with their families in their cars, listening to the music and corresponding lights. But the running aspect was a little different as families showed up with kids in strollers, and others both parents and kids running through the lights!
Beautiful lights, along with happy, excited faces!
It was definitely a cold night, only about 27 degrees. A kids dash began around 4:25pm and then the 5k began at 4:40pm as it was getting dark outside. There were roughly 20 kids that ran the 100 meter kids dash and they all received ribbons and were very excited.
Then at promptly 4:40pm, about 600 racers were off to run through the lights! The path was all gravel, except for about a half of a mile of pavement, and runners ran through the lights twice to get the distance of 3.1 miles. Some had headlamps to help them see, but the path was lit a majority of the way! There was music almost the entire way which made this event very festive for anyone! At the finish line, all participants received a mug with a chocolate covered pretzel, and a rice krispy treat, along with hot chocolate!
The Top Finishers were as follows:
5k Men
1st: Noah Graboys, from Glencoe, IL 17:23.1
2nd: Brady Clegg, from Libertyville, IL 18:51.0
3rd: Brian Hatoum, from Highwood, IL 18:56.6
5k Women
1st: Natalie Cook, from Algonquin, IL 19:39.7
2nd: Aimee Reed, from Carpentersville, IL 19:49.8
3rd: Kali Goldberg, from Libertyville, IL 22:46.2
