Group takes LEAD role in war against drugs

Schools throughout our area have been holding red-ribbon events in recent weeks to draw attention to the never-ending fight against drugs.

Joining that fight in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area is LEAD -- Linking Efforts Against Drugs. It is a community organization dedicated to parents and other adults and their role in the promotion of healthy family relationships and the prevention of alcohol and other drug use, and risky behavior by youth.

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Alberto Perez, 27, of Chicago dominated the LEAD Red Ribbon Run in Lake Forest, winning by more than a minute.
(Josh Peckler/News-Sun)

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Will Oakley of Lake Forest follows the red ribbons to the finish line during Sunday's LEAD Red Ribbon Run in Lake Forest. The 15-year-old ran the 3.1-mile course in 29 minutes and 29 seconds.

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If you're a runner you can identify with this picture. It was taken at last Sunday's LEAD Red Ribbon Run in Lake Forest, but the photo pretty much could have been taken at any road run in the area this fall.

Last weekend, LEAD hosted its second annual Red Ribbon Run -- a 3.1-mile race and two-mile fun walk that started and ended at Elawa Farms Park in Lake Forest.

Slightly more than 100 runners went the distance, while many others opted for the walk through the local forest preserve.

The event's purpose was to raise funds for Say No TO Drugs-type projects, and to draw attention to the war begin waged against alcohol/drug use by area youths.

WHO WAS IN THE 'LEAD?'

LEAD RED RIBBON RUN

• Location -- Lake Forest

• Distance -- 3.1-miles

• Men's Division -- 56 finished. Winner was Alberto Perez of Chicago, 17:11.

• Women's Division -- 46 finished. Winner was Katherin Rehn of Western Springs, 19:30.

Age-Group Winners

• Female age 8-under -- Julia Loeger (Lake Forest), 26:51.

• Female 9-11 -- Ellery Taylor (Lake Forest), 25:26.

• Female 12-14 -- Casey Zientko (Mundelein), 25:23.

• Female 15-19 -- Katherine Rehn (Western Springs), 19:30.

• Female 20-29 -- Mariana Trejo (Chicago), 21:21.

• Female 30-39 -- Kate Jones (Lake Forest), 27:29.

• Female 40-49 -- Meg McMullen-Collins (Lake Forest), 25:55.

• Female 50-59 -- Abbe Burke (Lake Forest), 26:10.

• Female 60-over -- Donna McDaniel (Kenosha), 35:47.

• Male age 8-under -- no entries.

• Male 9-11 -- Harris Clark (Lake Forest), 22:40.

• Male 12-14 -- Billy Bund (Lake Forest), 19:36.

• Male 15-19 -- Scott Fuller (Winnetka), 18:19.

• Male 20-29 -- Alberto Perez (Chicago), 17:11.

• Male 30-39 -- Piotr Osenkowski (Streamwood), 18:42.

• Male 40-49 -- Greg Warren (DesPlaines), 18:53.

• Male 50-59 -- J. Smith (Glenview), 22:48.

• Male 60-over -- David Anderson (Lake Bluff), 20:50.

RUNNING