West Peoria is a runner’s mecca. The streets are ideally flat and around almost every corner is a little bit of green, wide open space. Some like to run on the streets, some on the track at Franciscan Park, some on the golf course, or some even in the cemeteries. Even as the temperatures dip below zero now and soar to the 90s in the summer, runners can be seen from early morning till late at night.
It’s this addiction to running that so many people have that convinced the Peoria Park District to include the walking/running track at Franciscan from its inception. The number of runners here were also the inspiration for the Jamboree Run, which is held the first Saturday in June. These aren’t just baby boomers trying to keep fit. The Jamboree Run attracts people from 8 to 80.
For many years West Peoria has been “the course” for many junior high and senior high school cross country runners to practice. The Guardian Angel, aka Spalding Athletic Field, is often the starting line or the finish line for the teens.
The reason why seemingly normal people tend to become obsessed with this form of exercise is as varied as their ages. For one West Peorian, it’s for good health – not only his but for people he doesn’t even know. Phil Roberts took up running in 2003 at age 45. With a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, Phil learned that if he ran all the time he could eat more freely. According to Phil, “Running allows me to eat more normally, keep my sugar in check, and keep in shape. It was this diagnosis that prompted me to start running.”
“The first time I actually ran in competition was in ‘Building Steam,’ which is sort of a prelim to get in shape for the Steamboat Race,” Phil said, that got him in shape and hooked.
Phil and his son Alex usually run the Jamboree Run – just not together. It seems Alex is a little faster.
His first ½ marathon, which is 13.1 miles, took place in Indianapolis, where over 30,000 people took to the streets, and it took him just under two hours. This winter he decided to take part in a ½ marathon in Memphis, as a result of his tradition of running in the St. Jude Run from Memphis to Peoria in August. Fellow runners joined him and thought it would be a balmy 50 or 60 degrees in early December. According to Phil, “Boy! Were we surprised when the temperature that morning hit a mere 24 degrees at the start of the race. Fortunately, I was prepared and dressed for it, but many of the runners were not. One benefit of many of these races that people don’t realize is that during the race when runners shed their warm clothing along the route, volunteers pick up the articles of clothing and donate them to homeless shelters.” Phil thinks it’s a neat idea.
When asked how he got involved with the St. Jude Run, he quickly answered, “My niece was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age 16 and was a St. Jude patient. Thankfully, she is a survivor and has been cancer-free for three years. I decided I wanted to help her and others like her. One thing I could do was run, so it seemed like a natural thing for me.” Phil’s had no trouble raising money for his cause. “The generosity of family and friends is a constant amazement to me each year. I have visited the Hospital in Memphis and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. The atmosphere is astonishing. People there are so upbeat, so energized. It really gets you pumped.”
Phil is looking forward to spending the week-long St. Jude adventure with son Alex, who will be 18 this year and eligible to participate. Some may remember that Phil is a former West Peoria City Councilman and active in many local events.
Phil was so gracious to share his story with us and asked only one thing . . . that I include the following information to let West Peorians know how they can donate to St. Jude or how they can participate in the Run.
Contact the St. Jude Run office at 4722 N. Sheridan Road or call 679-4580.
