Batavia residents Anita Wolff (left) and Natalie Mueller dressed up for the Cross Country Challenge. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

Runners descend the hill on the last lap of the Cross Country Challenge. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

The team known as Dick Pond’s Herd included, from left: Christine Smith, Aurora; Pat Leonard, St. Charles; Erin Washkuhn, Aurora; St. Charles residents Caroline Cayton, Sue Doebler, Maria Garcia, Tori Garcia, Cassie Boyle, and South Elgin resident Carina Borst. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

Father and daughter team Catherine Peters, school psychologist at School District 89, and Frederick Schwantes, Northern Illinois University Vice Provost and Emeritus Professor of Psychology, enjoyed racing together. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

Approximately 1,200 runners took off at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning at Indian Hills Training Center in Gilberts. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

Elgin resident Ryan Tripicchio has competed in the Cross Country Challenge five times. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

The “Dirty South Pole Elves” from Fry Elementary School in Naperville include, from left: Brian Kulak, Renay Biehl, Dave Younce and Laurie Schuh. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

“Team Super” cross country girls team from Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn, from left are: Marina Jawad, Anniken Mossefin, Miranda Ryan, Katie James, Monica Byrne, Elizabeth Niedert, and Jayme Schlenker. Members of the Glenbard South boys cross country team also competed in the race. | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media

Some of the “Team Super” members from Glenbard South High School who posed after the race are, from left: Marina Jawad, Anniken Mossefin, Katie James, Monica Byrne and Elizabeth Niedert. (Jayme Schlenker and Miranda Ryan are not shown.) | Denise Moran ~ For Sun-Times Media