The Path
The Prairie Path is what I have been training for over 22 years. This crushed gravel surface has saved my knees. It is much more forgiving than if I was running on asphalt or concrete.
The God Mother of the Prairie Path
May Theilgaard Watts, the Godmother of the Prairie Path
I am thankful for May Theilgaard Watts, the Godmother of the Prairie Path. In the Fall of 1963, Ms Watts had her letter published in the Chicago Tribune. In her letter, she advocated for the creation of a public path along the abandoned route of the Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin Electric rail lines.
Ms. Watts and others were a passionate crew that would not quit in making her dream come true. Her vision of a rails-to-trails program not only came to fruition in the suburbs of Chicago, but it would become a reality throughout the United States.
Thank you, Ms. Watts for your vision. You truly made a great public space into a mecca to many in the Western Suburbs.
To learn more about Ms. Watts check out the Wikipedia page -
Map of the Illinois Prairie Path
My Routes
Most of my weekday runs I ran from my home to Glen Ellyn and back. This is usally a 5-mile route. On the weekends, I will venture all the way to Elmhurst, Wayne, or Aurora, depending on where I am in my long run cycle.
Carl H (Avid Runner, Amazing Photographer, and Great Friend)
My Running Buddy, Carl H, took these amazing pictures over the years of the Illinois Prairie Path.
