Running, Health and the Local Economy

I had a chance to check out the Running for Hope 5K last Sunday.  When I can, I like to go to these types of events.  I'm not really a runner and only showed up as a spectator.  I still love the energy and excitement that surrounds you before and after a run.

5K runs are really becoming popular.  The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn also has one in late July.  They really bring a community together for an hour or so.  They also bring in healthy and excited people into the community as well.

This year's Hope run had nearly 1,000 participants raising funds for the Ronald McDonald house across the street from Advocate Hope Children's Hospital at 4440 West 95th Street, Oak Lawn.

I'm so amazed at how Advocate Christ Hospital has grown.  I was born at Christ Hospital back when it was still a community hospital.  It is now a major hospital with research doctors and a separate children's hospital.  I felt like Oak Lawn had really moved up in status when we got the Ronald McDonald house  which opened its doors in 2008.  It allows out of town families to stay there while their children get treatment at Hope Hospital.

This is in line with Oak Lawn's ever growing presence as a major health and medical oriented town.  The town is in line to see three new significant medical buildings being built over the next couple of years.  Literally dozens of Doctors are locating and relocating offices to town.  This is a major economic shift from what many have considered to be a sleepy bedroom community. 

I think the future looks very good for Oak Lawn.  I can’t wait to see where we are in a few years.  I also can't wait for the next 5K or 10K to roll through town bringing energy, excitement and a sense of community.