PHOTO GALLERY: Record Rains Damage Summer Fling Vendors, Cancel 5K Race

After days of hot and humid weather, Des Plaines’ weather woes continued on Saturday morning. Heavy rains came down throughout the early morning causing damage to many of the vendor booths at the Des Plaines Summer Fling and forcing the Park District to cancel its annual Chase 5K race.

According to Chicagoweathercenter.com, almost seven inches of rain have fallen at O’Hare on Saturday, making it the largest single-day total for rainfall in Chicago since totals began being recorded in 1871.

More than 200 runners had signed up for the Park District race, but left disappointed after hearing the race was canceled and would not be made up.

“We canceled due to a lot of the damage that was done at our start line,” said Shelli Sarg, facilities manager at the Park District. “We at least have at least two blocks throughout the race route that are completely under water.”

One of those areas was the residential intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Maple Ave. just west of Des Plaines River Rd. Because the race was certified by the Chicago Area Runners Association, not even minor changes to the course would be allowed. Yet some runners chose to run the course unofficially.

There was also extensive damage done to vendors in the Des Plaines Summer Fling. EZ-UPs and canopies were mangled and turned over while some merchandise left overnight spilled into the walkways. The Summer Fling is supposed to run through Sunday night.