Dan Evans still calls Frankfort home, but the aspiring country singer and national spokesman for the Kids Fit Foundation said his busy schedule keeps him away more often than not.
“I am currently living in Frankfort, but I will say that I don’t get to see it as much as I’d like to,” said the 25-year-old best known for his appearance on Season 5 of Biggest Loser Couples in 2008. He lost 136 pounds and was voted as the season’s fan favorite. His mother, Jackie Evans, also appeared on the show and shed 89 pounds.
This weekend Evans will have a chance to visit friends and family when he comes to Chicago for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon as part of his commitment to raise awareness and promote healthy lifestyles for kids.
This year Evans is participating in 19 half-marathons with his running team, Team Future, including 17 Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathons held across the country. The running team serves as a fundraising arm for the Kids Fit Foundation, the Mokena-based youth health foundation created by Evans and his mother. Evans said the group will use money raised by Team Future to promote health and physical fitness at an early age.
“Kids Fit is 100 percent focused toward getting kids moving and active,” he said.
Evans always had aspirations to be a country singer, but as he got older he realized being overweight was likely to be a barrier to his success. Evans released his debut album in 2008 and is starting work on the second. Through his work as a spokesman for Kids Fit, he hopes to share his story in hopes that he can inspire others to follow through on their dreams as well.
“If you have a dream, it’s worth it,” he said.
Evans won’t run the course with his team Sunday because he’ll be busy preparing to perform at the end of the event. He opens on the main stage for headliner Bret Michaels.
“I’ve played so many big shows and big dates, but playing in my hometown with all my friends and all my family…this is the big one, this is it,” he said.
The race starts at 6:30 a.m., and Evans is scheduled to perform at 7:45 a.m. at the finish line near Butler Field in Grant Park.
For more information, visit the Kids Fit Foundation website.
