Duneland Family YMCA Brings the Community Together with the 5 Towns 1 Community Race Series

Unbeknownst to the rest of Duneland, the Duneland Family YMCA located in Chesterton has been working for years to service its entire community. The staff at the Y wanted to accomplish two things with their race this year: raise funds for their fitness department and foster a sense of unity between all the towns that make up Duneland. Instead of one race, they are hosting the Explore Duneland Series that will take runners to each corner of the community over the course of a year. The Inaugural Race took place Saturday, October 10th.

Click here to view more photos!

The race series was the dream of the Y’s new Healthy Living Coordinator, Ashley Hill.

“We wanted to tie the community together, so this is the Y’s outreach in order to get into the other communities. It’s more than a race, it’s more about a community driven project,” she said.

It has already succeeded in attracting people from outside Chesterton. Kelly Morgan ran with her family, her children pushed in a stroller as she completed the 5k.

“We know [Heather Henderlong] and heard there was a race today so we came out to get our run in,” Morgan said.

Heather Henderlong from Extra Mile Fitness provided the finish line archway and the timing equipment. She volunteered her time and resources to support the 5 Communities 1 Race.

“Running is such an easy access for anyone to do,” she explained. “They can get out and walk, run, skip, or jump right from their doorstep. Anything we can do to help people move more and stay healthy, that is what we are about.”

That is the same mentality the YMCA has and Marketing Director Jane Delligatti said, “In this series of races we are able to showcase two of our areas of responsibility - healthy living and social responsibility.”

Each town was asked to come up with a unique route that displays the character of their piece of Duneland. Porter runners will cross the new bridges, Burns Harbor is Going Green, Dune Acres promises hills along Cowles’ bog, and Beverly Shores will wrap up the tour at the end of the year with a beach run and after party.

Beth Luncsford ran as a member of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. “[The YMCA] is really big in this community and we love to support them.”

YMCA CEO Dave Kasrada could not be more proud of the races, and for Ashley their creator. They represent everything the Y is about.

“Choosing a healthy lifestyle, coming out and building a community on a Saturday morning. All these folks are volunteers. They could be in a million other places but they opted to be here. I think it says a lot about our community and this organization,” Kasarda said.