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by GoPride.com News Staff

Chicago, IL — AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, one of the city's high-profile fundraisers to combat HIV/AIDS, is this morning. The 11th annual event takes place at Soldier Field, located along Lake Shore Drive on Chicago's Near South Side. 

The event offers something for everyone, including walking and running components, two timed distances -- a 5k and a 10k -- for runners, entertainment and a medley of local business vendors and AIDS organizations educating the public.

"Providing education to event goers is critical to us at AFC," David Munar, the President and CEO of the AFC, told ChicagoPride.com. "That is why each year we make sure we have displays and interactive stations for people to learn how to get more involved and learn what else they can do on the other 364 days of the year to support the cause."

More than 7,000 people are expected to participate. This includes a large contingent of corporate teams as well as those formed by local high schools and colleges. 

"The crowd is a cross-section of Chicago: from young kids with their parents to university students, couples -- gay and straight -- and great networks of friends, coworkers, family members of all ages," Munar said. "It reminds you that HIV/AIDS knows no borders and every corner of Chicagoland has been affected by this deadly disease."

This year's AIDS Run and Walk Chicago features entertainment by Chicago-native singer-songwriter Adam Emil, comedian Wanda Sykes, five-time-Grammy-nominated musician Michael Feinstein and Jamar Rogers, an HIV-positive young man who was a finalist on the second season of NBC's "The Voice."

(Read the ChicagoPride.com interview with Jamar Rogers)

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the opening ceremonies taking place an hour later, races beginning at 9 a.m. and post-race entertainment slotted for a quarter after 10. Pre-registration for the event is closed, but those interested in walking or running can register the day of for $50.

For more information, or to make an online donation, please visit the event's website at http://afc.aidschicago.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=1518.

Related: AIDS Run and Walk Chicago, Sept. 30, is personal for participants

CalendarQ: AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

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