Battle for the Badge 5K Coming May 15

The first Battle for the Badge 5K comes to Palatine's downtown Sunday, May 15, and will raise money for charity.

"It's going to be a fun. It's a great course," said Palatine firefighter and paramedic Matthew Mulvey. "I ran it the other day, it's not your typical run through the neighborhood."

The race begins at 8 a.m. the gazebo in the Town Square and heads west. The course will take runners up the Margreth Riemer Reservoir on the bike patch before winding its way back toward downtown.

The race will benefit the Palatine Police and Fire Benevolent Association.  The association is a nonprofit corporation that in the event of a tragedy or hardship assists members of the community through charitable donations.

Proceeds from the run also will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Mulvey said he hopes to have at least 200 runner participate.

"We'd like to have as many as possible," Mulvey said.

Participants will receive Battle for the Badge 5K t-shirts. The overall male and female winners will receive $50 gift certificates for Running Unlimited. Also, Whole Foods Market is sponsoring the event and providing refreshments for runners including bananas, apples, cereal bars and water.

The Battle for the Badge 5K costs $30 to enter and registration is entirely online. There is no race day registration. The race will be chip timed.

Packet Pickup for the race will be at Running Unlimited in Palatine on May 14, according to the race website. Race day packet pickup will also be available on the lower level of the parking garage located near Durty Nellie's. The address for the garage is 251 W Colfax St. Please park in this garage and packet pickup will be located near the east exit of the garage, the website states.