Runners Navigate Snow in Frozen Zucchini Race

There was a little snow on the ground Sunday morning at , but not quite enough for a snowshoe race. Nevertheless, the Frozen Zucchini 5K Run attracted double the participants in its second year.

Runners came to support Smart Farm's mission -- to cultivate a healthy, eco-friendly community by offering learning opportunities in sustainable gardening while donating 100 percent of the produce it raises to local food pantries.

Supervisor Dave Nelson was the emcee. He told the crowd that Smart Farm is making a difference in this community. 

"Ninety families from Cuba Township were helped by Smart Farm," Nelson said. 

Smart Farm also helps food pantries in Barrington, Lake Zurich, Wauconda, Island Lake and Carpentersville.  

Winners of the race, appropriately, received a zucchini basket from Whole Foods, one of the sponsors. There were about 300 participants.

Top placers in the 2012 Frozen Zucchini Race were:

Overall Male: ALBERT CARBO, MADISON WI, AGE 28, TIME 19:56.7

Overall Female: BROOKE BEAN, GENEVA IL, AGE 33, TIME 24:16.7

Female Under 17: CLAIRE MCLOON, ARLINGTON HGTS

Male Under 17: PATRICK MCLOONE, ARLINGTON HGTS

Female 18-29: AMY DEPINTO, CHICAGO 

Male 18-29: JOHN ATCHISON, SCHAUMBURG

Female 30-39: KAREN SABO,  CHICAGO

Male 30-39: BLAINE REED,  NAPERVILLE

Female 40-49: CARRIE FUNK,  TOWER LAKES

Male 40-49: BOB BAKER, CARY 

Female 50+: EILEEN SKISAK, LAGRANGE PARK

Male 50+: STEVE GELSOMINO, CHICAGO