So many people! Definitely the largest race I've been to with over 9k participants. The streets are very wide and there are several corrals, so not crowded too bad. Lots … MORE
So many people! Definitely the largest race I’ve been to with over 9k participants. The streets are very wide and there are several corrals, so not crowded too bad. Lots of wind in certain areas! I loved having lots of spectators along the route. The beanie and medal were nice, but no other 5k swag available to purchase. The scenery was great while running through downtown.
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Huge Race
So many people! Definitely the largest race I've been to with over 9k participants. The streets are very wide and there are several corrals, so not crowded too bad. Lots … MORE
So many people! Definitely the largest race I’ve been to with over 9k participants. The streets are very wide and there are several corrals, so not crowded too bad. Lots of wind in certain areas! I loved having lots of spectators along the route. The beanie and medal were nice, but no other 5k swag available to purchase. The scenery was great while running through downtown.
Beautiful Day for a 5K
The start in Grant Park was a quick walk from the blue line train station. The ran through downtown Chicago which was so cool. The street are wide so there … MORE
The start in Grant Park was a quick walk from the blue line train station.
The ran through downtown Chicago which was so cool. The street are wide so there was enough room for everyone. I received my bib and winter hat in the mail which was nice. There was only one water stop on the course. There was
lot of crowd support. We received metal too!
Disappointed - Not enough hats
Not a bad race for a pre Chicago Marathon shake out, however this race was promoted with the promise of a commemorative hat for ALL finishers. Turns out, supplies were … MORE
Not a bad race for a pre Chicago Marathon shake out, however this race was promoted with the promise of a commemorative hat for ALL finishers. Turns out, supplies were quite limited. This was made worse by organizers allowing faster finishers to take more than one. Hundreds were left empty-handed. We overheard some disappointed runners saying they were told that participants would be contacted about the problem based on finish time, however, my partner and I waited for our friends after we crossed the finish line instead of making our way immediately to the line for hats. No one in my party received a hats. Our finish time will preclude us from automatic follow up. We emailed the race organization and received an automated reply promising more info the following day about the known issue, but so far we have heard nothing for days. We’re sorry not to have hats to mark the occasion, but what’s more disappointing is the feeling that we were misled.
Fun 5K pre-marathon
Chicago does a nice job putting together a fun 5K to get runners warmed up for the marathon, or to give families a way to participate in weeke d activities. … MORE
Chicago does a nice job putting together a fun 5K to get runners warmed up for the marathon, or to give families a way to participate in weeke d activities. The route was cool, taking us past some Chicago high points, and the medal and stocking cap were nice swag at the end.
Nice Chicago Marathon Warmup
This was an okay 5K. Not the best but for sure not the worst. I registered for four reasons: 1. I am doing the Chicago Marathon the following day and … MORE
This was an okay 5K. Not the best but for sure not the worst. I registered for four reasons: 1. I am doing the Chicago Marathon the following day and this event was a good warmup and also my wife could participate in a run this trip. 2. They mailed your bib to you which enabled us to participate since we wouldn’t arrive Friday evening before the expo closed. 3. It was affordable. $35 seems to be a bargain for events these days. 4. The start and finish were within walking distance of our hotel
Pre race – there were 4 start corrals. They had wave starts. The course was through downtown Chicago with the finish at Grants Park. Course was flat. Scenery was downtown buildings. On course support was one water station with a few volunteers and water. Little to no spectators were present. There were a couple of bagpipers on the course but no other entertainment
Finish line was in Grants Park. Seemed crowded but I corralled down to run a casual pace so I was in the last corral with lots in front of me. Plastic race finisher medals were provided and they are nice awards. There was also water and Gatorade available as well as apples. There were no event t-shirts but a winter cap was the event apparel item. They ran out of the hats and I suspect that some runners took more than one. They said they were going to reach out to all that didn’t get a hat based on finish time
So it was a nice little 5k and a good warm up for the marathon the following day.
A lot of people
If you are looking for a 5k to PR, this is not it. There are a lot of people. (I think about 15k running) . My only problem is that … MORE
If you are looking for a 5k to PR, this is not it. There are a lot of people. (I think about 15k running) . My only problem is that you have runners that are inconsiderate of others and stop in the middle of the road to take a picture. It was a great tune-up run for the Chicago marathon.
Nice warm up for Chicago Marathon
Chicago 5k is a perfect warm up for the Chicago Marathon the next day. Half the course takes runners through downtown passing by some interesting sights and the second half … MORE
Chicago 5k is a perfect warm up for the Chicago Marathon the next day. Half the course takes runners through downtown passing by some interesting sights and the second half goes along the shore. Race swag is amazing. Every runner gets a huge medal and a scarf.