In July 1987 Mark McCormick was enjoying a dinner in an Arlington Heights restaurant when he lost consciousness and fell to the tile floor.  The fall was enough to put him into a coma for 30 days.  This was at the young age of 23, when life is just really starting for most people. 

Today, Mark is recovering from this injury and doing the things that we take for granted every day.  He is learning to walk and talk again. All of these things require training and therapy. Medicaid will not pay for this therapy.  Prior to the accident, Mark was an avid runner, and it was his running buddies who started the fundraising run/walk idea. 

The Fox River Run was started in 1992 to help with the mounting medical bills his parents, Mac and Sheila, were accumulating.  All proceeds of the run are given to the Foundation to help with the cost of therapy. 

Mark's friends have been incredible.   Year after year they come out to support their friend and help him on his road to recovery.  His sister, Heather, recalls the time the family spent at the hospital when the accident first occurred.  Several of his friends were there with them day in and day out,  lending support and comfort along with their love for their friend Mark.  Some even took time off work to be with the family.  It was those friends that helped to start this run.  The mounting medical bills and loss of  insurance money for therapy brought about the idea of having this benefit run to assist with his recovery.

Mark, who grew up in Morton Grove with his brother Keith and his sister Heather, graduated from Niles West High School and attended Oakton Community College.  Mark was a bright, athletic student who was a track team member in both high school and college.  Mark was hospitalized in Arlington Heights for 3 months before being moved to Indiana where his parents resided.  After a few years of residing in hospitals, rehab centers and nursing homes, Mark was accepted at  Marianjoy Rehabiliation Hospital in Wheaton.  His parents moved to St. Charles. Mark was at Marianjoy for a few a few weeks until he moved to Pineview Care Center, where he has lived ever since.  His schedule includes physical therapy 3 times a week.  His therapist, Dave Bauer, has been working with Mark for 2 years.  He is a certified personal trainer with extensive experience with rehabilitation of stroke and injury patients. 

Ten years ago Mark couldn't stand up or even take a step. Now with the help of Dave, he has come a long way.  He now walks the hallways with his walker with help from Dave.  It's been a long, hard road but there have been such improvements over the year - it's just incredible to see. 

Over the years, Mark has learned to talk again, stand up and even walk across the room.  The run has helped to secure therapy as well as equipment that he has needed to assist him. For example, in 1997, the proceeds from the run bought a standing wheel chair.  This assisted Mark in learning how to stand and gaining the strength  to stand for what started with seconds to being able to stand for several minutes, then walking across the room with help.

Over all these years, those same friends who were with Mark from the beginning of this long journey are still with him every year.  Along with his old friends from his college and high school days are the many new friends that come out each year to lend support.  All the people at the race are volunteers who just want to help in any way they can.  

Heading up the entire organization is Linda Stuart. Linda maintains the Foundation documents of registration with the state of Illinois, as well as beginning the day after the run to organize and plan for the run the next year.  She does all of the promotional banners and posters and arranges for the installations on the day of the run.

On the day of the run, the many volunteers begin the morning by helping to gather supplies for the run, registering entrants as the run begins.  Volunteers help with food and water on the trail and at the end of the finish line are, assisting with the digital timed finish line, assist with the raffle drawings and anything else that may be necessary.   These people are the core of this run. 

We, Mark's family, cannot thank them enough for all that they do - the day of the run and throughout the year.  It is amazing to see that one person can have such an impact on so many people in such an incredible way.  This run not only benefits Mark's therapy and steady recovery but it also does something to boost the spirits of his family.  After 10 years, it is such a wonderful event to look forward to each year.

Over the years many things have changed.  The first year, the runners came across the finish line and were given their time by someone standing with the stopwatch and yelling out the times.  Now we have the digital timing with DR Komputing, which not only give the runners an exact time but also the ability to look up last year's results to prepare for the next run. 

This run started with a handful of volunteers helping with registration, etc.  Now there are dozens of volunteers that do everything from help at the registration tables, hand out water, answer questions, etc. 

The Boy Scout Troop 60 and Cub Scouts 155 have been helping with the Foundation since 1994.  They start the run each year with the Pledge of Allegiance.   We have added music from bagpipers BobCopeland and Brad Sandtrock.  We even have volunteers who dress up as the Fox from St. Charles and Penguin, the mascot of the run. 

The city of St. Charles has been overwhelmingly supportive of this event.  They have even included this event in the St. Charles listing of city happenings.  With the help of family who have much more knowledge in the computer end of things, this web site is now up and running.  A huge benefit will be the link to the digital guy who will have the results from this year as well as previous years so runners can check their times. 

Sponsors and insurances are acquired by Linda as well.  Approximately 2 months prior to the run date, she has a committee meeting and at this time, final plans are begun with Scout Troops and Packs, and volunteers for the day of the event.  She also has two Bag Pipe volunteers that inspire the runners prior to the run and ignite their determination at they are approaching the finish line.

Wondering about all those penguins?...

Mark loves penguins and always has.   Logically, this lovable guy became the mascot of the race, ever changing with the times.