Chicago runners can help make the world a brighter place during a nighttime race this June.
The 5K race is part of a global race series called the Energizer Night Race for a Brighter World, and Chicago is the first North American city to host the event this year. It is the only U.S. city to take part in the race series this year.
The goal of the race is to raise awareness for the need for safe, affordable light for the 1.3 billion people in the world living without electricity. As part of the series, Energizer is donating 14 million hours of solar light to the international nonprofit One Million Lights.
"Solar light has the power to make a dramatic impact on the life of a family living without electricity," Anna Sidana, founder of One Million Lights, said in a statement. "Many rural families spend up to half of their income on kerosene lighting that is not only expensive, but harmful to a family's health and to the environment."
One Million Lights is working with Energizer to distribute solar lights to communities in need in Latin America, the Philippines, Indonesia, Tanzania and Kenya.
Since the race series began in 2011, there have been more than 60 races in 26 countries with 220,000 participants, and more than 36 hours of solar light have been donated.
The Chicago race will take place June 7 at Lake Shore East Park at 7 p.m. with live entertainment and concessions before and after the race. Registered participants will receive an LED headlight to wear while they run.
