In August of 2000, Jim Vrettos, a member of the Rotary Club of
Chicago – Financial District invited a small group of people
to meet at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston, Illinois to discuss an
idea to raise funds for Rotary International’s global program
to eradicate polio from the face of the earth—the PolioPlus
Program. It was then and there decided that a “Race to the
Finish” would be organized for the Summer of 2001: an 8k
race for runners and a 5k race for walkers through the streets
of Evanston and along its beautiful lakefront. Officially sponsored
by Rotary Districts 6440 and 6450, the June, 2001 Race to the
Finish proved to be a grand success.
Since then, the Race to the Finish has been held annually in
June of each year. In total, the Race has raised over $250,000
for the PolioPlus Program. Over the years, special guests of the
Race have included Frank Devlyn, President of Rotary International,
Kristin Castillo, Miss Illinois, and Alison Rosatti from NBC-Channel
5 News in Chicago.
Sadly, Jim Vrettos passed away on July 13, 2003, shortly after
the third Race to the Finish. Over the years, Jim worked tenaciously
to see that each of these races succeeded. He was an inspiration
to all of us.
The Race to the Finish is officially registered with
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