Race date is April 27, 2014 and time is 8 AM at RiverEdge Park.

Register By April 13th To Receive A Discount

$15 – Youth Rate (18 & under)

Adult Pre-registration
$35 – Jan 1-Mar 31, 2014
$40 – April 1-13, 2014
$45 – Adult Race Day Registration

This is our third and final installment on the historical buildings and sites you will see along the race route at the 2nd 2 None 5K Run & Walk. Remember to register before April 1st, to receive the discounted price.

Aurora’s Railroad Roundhouse – the railroad roundhouse is a legacy from those years when railroads had taken on the major burden of providing transportation for passengers and freight. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad extended its line to Aurora in 1849. As commerce trade traffic on the railroad increased, there was a need for additional rail car and locomotive equipment; therefore, in 1850 a temporary structure served as depot and shop near the site of the roundhouse.

Construction of the roundhouse began in September of 1855 and was completed in June of 1857. The roundhouse and shop grew to become the major repair and construction site for the CB & Q during the late 1800’s. Seven buildings were constructed: the roundhouse and engine room, machine, car, blacksmith, paint and carpenter shops. The roundhouse was built in stages, with 22 stall sections built during the first phase, 8 added in 1859 and the final 10 completed in 1866; because of the 40 stalls, the building is known as a tetracontagon (40 sides).

About one half of the railroad’s locomotives were based in Aurora. There were 58
locomotives in 1858 and in 1872 it had grown to 165. The Pullman “hotel” car, The City of New York, was built here in 1866 and the first American diner car, The Delmonico, was built for Pullman in 1868. At least 250 locomotives were built here between 1871 and 1910. The railroad shops, which once employed 2,500 people and covered 70 acres, closed in 1974 and all but three of the buildings were demolished. Today, the roundhouse has been transformed into a restaurant. (excerpts taken from The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and answers.com)

Another historical building you will see on the race route is the original U.S. Post Office located on Benton Street, which is now home to Sci-Tech Hands-On Museum. The building, constructed between 1931-1933, is architecturally significant as a Depression era structure, combining an eclectic use of materials and Neo-Classical design motifs. Gargoyle water spouts can be seen on the facade.
(information taken from the US Dept. of the Interior National Park Service/National Register of Historic Places)

If you would like to see more of Aurora’s beautiful, historic buildings, join us for the 2nd 2 None 5K Run & Walk, which steps off at 8 AM from the new RiverEdge Park in downtown Aurora. Participants will run through the beautiful park, along the streets of historic downtown Aurora and finish along the Fox River Trail in RiverEdge Park. Click here to view the course map.

Race day registration cost will be $45.00. Pre-register now to receive a discount; the earlier you register the better the discount!

If you aren’t able to run or walk in the race, how about volunteering? We need people to cheer on the runners, pass out water at multiple stations, plus many more exciting ways to be involved. For more information, click here.

Sincerely,

Theresa Shoemaker – Executive Director, Communities In Schools
Marilyn H. Weisner – Executive Director, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry