No one seems to remember the coldest it has every been for the Frosty 5 Mile in Channahon, but participants have been braving the February weather for 33 years.

"I know we have some people who have been here every single year," Kevin Siewak, race coordinator and Channahon Park District Athletic Supervisor said. "It's kind of an elite group that comes out."

The Frosty is, as its name implies, a 5 mile race. It is popular with serious runners who see the annual event as the kickoff to the race season.

Larry Bornhofen has been running the Frosty for 10 years because it is the first of the season. A marathon runner he had a strategy to stay warm.

"Run faster," he said.

Nathan Kershner, of Channahon, also had a strategy.

"I just wear a long-sleeve shirt and hang out in the gym until a half an hour before start," he said.

But this year, Kershner was not running. It wasn't that he thought it was too cold, but an existing injury that kept him from participating fully.

Even with a broken foot, he was there to cheer on his friends.

Tempuratures on Sunday were chilly, but despite the cold, 167 runners registered for the Frosty before the day of the event. Siewak said the race tops out at about 300 runners.