The Glen Ellyn Park District debuted a 2K Glow Run/Walk at Lake Ellyn Park on Friday, Sept. 11. The 1.25-mile race joined the annual Glow in the Park Lantern Walk for the first time, giving families a new way to light up the night.

The run was open to anyone ages 4 and up. Participants received glow sticks and a T-shirt with registration. The race began at 7:45 p.m., right after the lantern walk procession circled the lake at 7:20 p.m. Light-up color stations lined the route.

The park district said on X that the park had never looked brighter and thanked families who came out to run, walk and glow.

Glow in the Park, held in partnership with Charlie's Corner Foundation, has raised nearly $30,000 for the neonatal intensive care unit at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago since the event began in 2017, Shaw Local reported. Lantern kits sold for $15 each and included a paper lantern shade, a carrying stick and an LED light. All kit proceeds went to the NICU. General admission was free, and cash donations were also encouraged.

The evening featured live music from Tres Moustache!, face painting, inflatables, glow fitness activities, a DJ and food from Heavenly Hot Dogs and Kona Ice. Costumed characters from the League of Enchantment, a volunteer 501(c)(3) charity cosplay organization, mingled with attendees. The Glenbard West marching band also performed.

Sponsors included Dairy Queen Lombard, The Carrie and Renee Team and White Ivory Consulting. Lantern kit sales and donations from the Sept. 11 event will add to the nearly $30,000 the partnership has raised for Lurie Children's NICU over nine years.