IL Corn will be helping our neighbors in Chicago understand how the corn growing in Illinois fields can be a solution to global challenges at the White Sox Run Your Sox Off 5K on June 22.

A new running shoe from Saucony’s “Run for Good” sustainability initiative features shoe cushioning made using 55 percent corn-based foam to help limit the dependence on plastic. The shoe will biodegrade more quickly because it is made from renewable materials. Check out Saucony’s Triumph shoe here.

Homegrown Illinois corn will be a feature throughout the Chicago event, with a shoe recycling booth at the beginning of the race, a presence at the conclusion of the race inside the White Sox stadium, and as our farmer running team joins their Chicago neighbors throughout the race. We plan for a live update from the race as our farmers run, and an opportunity for everyone to meet a farmer at the conclusion of the race in the stadium.

The racecourse is around the stadium and the various parking lots near the stadium. Learn more about how you can sign up for the June 22 event here.

Chicago and rural Illinois social media influencers who focus on running content will also be working with us to feature the corn-based shoe and to close the gap between urban and rural understandings of agriculture.

Are you a farmer who likes to run? Consider joining our running team. Please contact us for more information.

If consumer education interests you, take a look at the information we’ll be highlighting during this event at www.watchusgrow.org/corn.