CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Following their first round of CPR training, the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend team is adding more dates to learn the skill for free.

The first round of training sessions took place on Feb. 8, and with the amount of interest shown, the program is expanding to include additional rounds of hands-only CPR training sessions. The training is free of charge and open to anyone. Those interested in attending must register in advance.

The additional sessions will take place on March 15 at Christie Clinic at The Fields and on April 25 as part of Race weekend. On March 15, session times will include 1 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. and on April 25, the session time will be 4 p.m. and the location will be announced soon.

In the Christie Clinic Half Marathon this past April, 45-year-old Christie surgeon Rafael Ruggieri suffered a cardiac arrest while running in Meadowbrook Park. He survived because of the care he received from his son, Isaac, and three other runners that knew hands-only CPR.

All runners who attend a training session will receive a full set of BibBoards, which is an alternative to safety pins, used to secure race bibs to race shirts. The BibBoards say “I AM HANDS-ONLY CPR-TRAINED.” Program participants will also receive a back bib that is optional to wear on race day, with the same printed message on it.

“Year after year our race team continues to adapt our Race Weekend to ensure that it is accessible and safe no matter the circumstances,” said Jan Seeley, race director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. “With the new CPR program taking place ahead of Race Weekend, we hope to both spread awareness for the importance of knowing Hands-On CPR, as well as provide as many participants that are interested the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill.”

To register for a training session, click here. For more information about Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, visit IllinoisMarathon.com and follow the event on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.