When Waubonsee alumnus Liz Montgomery of Yorkville first heard about the Walk, Run and WIN with Waubonsee 5K last year, she knew she and her dad, Ron Scott, had to register.
“Ever since I was a kid, my dad and I have been competitive and we enjoy running,” said Montgomery. “I knew this was a perfect opportunity to run together back on campus, especially since at the time, I was training for a marathon.”
Scott, now a retired carpenter and former football referee, also attended classes at Waubonsee. At 70 years old, Scott maintains an active lifestyle by participating in cross-fit three to four times a week and joining his daughter in runs.
Last year, while running together in Waubonsee’s 5K, Montgomery was able to relive her fond memories on campus with her dad. “Running the 5K became a bonding experience between us because I was able to point out areas along the trail and share fun memories from when I attended class on the Sugar Grove Campus,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery, a longtime runner for Team Phenomenal Hope, dedicates her in- and out-of-state runs to those affected by pulmonary hypertension. As a Registered Nurse (RN), Montgomery’s running friends and co-workers call her “Lizcredible” because of all the races she’s been a part of and her precision in administering IVs to patients, a skill she credits to learning in Waubonsee’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program.
Waubonsee’s flexible learning formats and class options have allowed several members of Montgomery’s family to pursue their education in ways that best suited them. In fact, based on their experiences, Montgomery knew after high school that Waubonsee was a perfect option to take evening courses while she worked full-time during the day.
After earning her Associate in Science degree at Waubonsee, Montgomery transferred to the University of Alabama to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “Waubonsee prepared me for a university setting by laying the foundation for me,” said Montgomery. “I felt like I didn’t miss anything, and it was an easy transition to get into the nursing program.” Several years later, she returned to earn her EMT certification.
When Waubonsee posted news about the third annual 5K with a new 10K option this year, Montgomery told her dad about it. “You can say we’ve made it our family tradition,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery says it is an accomplishment that her dad is so fit and able to run with her. Her brothers, Waubonsee alumni Cody Scott and Sam Scott, also plan to attend to cheer Montgomery and her dad as they run the course.
“It’s a fun way to spend time with your family,” said Montgomery. The running duo looks forward to their rematch at the upcoming 5K/10K trail fundraiser on Saturday, June 3 at 9 a.m. on the Sugar Grove Campus. This family-friendly event is open to the public and features a mixed-terrain trail throughout campus grounds, as well as local food truck vendors for race participants and spectators to enjoy. New this year, there is a 10K race option with finisher’s medal, a post-race concert featuring the Waubonsee Student Jazz Ensemble and a Touch-a-Truck event. Registration fees for the 5k are $35; registration fees for the 10k are $45, with discounts for Waubonsee students, alumni, and children 12 and under.
Proceeds from this event benefit the Waubonsee Foundation Scholarship Program. Each year, the Foundation raises funds to provide student scholarships – investing in our community’s most valuable asset: the people who live, work and dream here. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the program provided 355 awards totaling over $343,500 to 311 recipients.
Visit waubonsee.edu/5k to register. To learn more about this and other Waubonsee Foundation initiatives, please contact the Development Office at (630) 466-2316 or foundation@waubonsee.edu.
Pictured above: Waubonsee alumnus Liz Montgomery (left) and her dad, Ron Scott, pose for a picture prior to the start of Waubonsee’s second annual Walk, Run and Win 5K Trail Race.
