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by GoPride.com News Staff

Chicago, IL — Thousands of people ran and walked along Chicago's lakefront on Sunday morning as part of the AIDS Run & Walk 2012, one of the city's high-profile fundraisers to combat HIV/AIDS. 

Organizers of the 11th annual event, which benefits the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and more than 35 local AIDS organizations, said the event was on track to reach its fundraising goal of $400,000 as nearly 4,500 people participated. 

The event that started and ended at Soldier Field offered 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 before this year's event. "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 160 corporate teams as well as those formed by local high schools and colleges participated. 

"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.

Team Chicago House was the top fundraising team with $26,992.85 raised. 

This year's AIDS Run and Walk Chicago featured 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."

Photos: AIDS Run and Walk Chicago 2012

Related: ChicagoPride.com interview with Jamar Rogers

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