Frigid 5K, Breakfast With Santa Tops Park District's Weekend Festivities

will be a flurry of activity Sunday, as both Santa Claus and a myriad of runners descend on the village.

The Park District's third annual Frigid 5K race begins at 8 a.m. behind the , 16050 127th St., and goes around Centennial Campus.

Awards will be given to the top two runners in each age division.

The first Frigid 5K run began in 2009 during the park district’s grand opening weekend of the CORE. Fewer than 50 runners participated, said Carrie Dellamano, marketing coordinator for the Lemont Park District.

But since then, numbers have continued to climb. Last year, about 145 runners participated.

“And so far this year we have just about 170 runners,” Dellamano said. “We are actually anticipating over 200. Frigid 5K is certainly a growing event that gets more successful each year.”

Those interested in running, can register online at www.lemontparkdistrict.org or visit the CORE or , 16028 127th St.

Sunday’s festivities will continue with the Park District's Breakfast with Santa event from 9 a.m. to noon.

Attendees can enjoy fresh waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage and other breakfast favorites. Children will visit and have their picture taken with Santa, make a holiday craft and play holiday games.

The Breakfast With Santa event has been a tradition for the Lemont Park District for more than two decades, Dellamano said.

“With the fun theme of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer this year, the gym at Centennial Community Center will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland,” she said.

She estimates about 250 people will attend the breakfast.

“It’s always highly anticipated and very successful,” she said.

Individual tickets are $8 for residents and $12 for nonresidents in advance, or $9 for residents and $13 for nonresidents on the day of the event. Group entry for a family of four is $27 for residents with $7 for each additional person, and  $31 for residents with $8 for each additional person.

Pre-registered children can write a letter to Santa and receive a letter back from him at the Breakfast with Santa event. Letters must be dropped off in Santa’s mailbox at the CORE by Dec. 16 to make sure he has time to write back.

Frigid 5K runners who attend the breakfast eat for free.

Last year, more than 70 runners stayed for the breakfast.

“This year we will have a special “Runners Room” where runners can come and relax and enjoy breakfast after the race,” Dellamano said. “There will be additional chefs on duty in the Runners Room to serve them.”

For more information about Breakfast with Santa, call the Park District at 630-257-6787.