The Chicago Lakefront Ultras Fall 50 Mile course consists of four 12.5 mile out-and-back loops. The 50K course consists of three 10.33 mile loops. Both courses are USAT&F Certified. Both courses start & finish at the Foster Ave Beach House and run South toward Downtown Chicago along the Chicago Lakefront Bike Path. The courses are flat and fast and the vistas are stunningly beautiful!
The 50 mile race time limit is 11-hours and 50K time limit is 9-hours (early start option is available if more time is needed for either race).
Aid Stations
Two aid stations (There will be no aid station at Recreation Drive). The aid stations are 5.2 miles apart, at the turnaround locations for the 50k race. The 50 milers will have access to the North Ave Beach aid station twice each loop, going outbound and inbound (this distance is a 2.2 mile loop). The aid stations serving both the 50-Miler and the 50K are located on the Lakefront Trail at:
• North Avenue Beach, just west of the North Avenue Beach House, and east of the Parking Lot (5.2 miles from start/finish/north turnaround).
• There is also an aid station and drop bag at the start/finish area, at the north turnaround spot at Foster Ave Beach.
Aid stations at the north and south turnarounds will have water, Tailwind, Coke, Mountain Dew, Ginger Ale. For food we will have assorted cookies, chips, pretzels, M&M’s, nuts, and some other goodies. Volunteers will be at the aid stations to handle the drink and food items.
WE ARE GOING CUPLESS!!! You will be provided with one, reusable, foldable silicon cup for water, Tailwind, and soda. We also strongly encourage you to bring your own hand held water bottle, hydration bottles and vest, Camelback, etc.
You will have access to your drop bag at each north turnaround loop, so if you are not comfortable with using the aid station supplies, please bring your own supplies and/or have your crew help support you. Note that the aid stations do not have energy gels, so plan accordingly.
Awards
Everyone will receive a race shirt. All 50K finishers (including early starters) will receive a finishers’ medal. Belt buckles will be awarded to 50 mile runners who complete the race within the 11-hour time limit (early starters will also receive belt buckles if they complete the entire distance before the course closes). First place overall male and female for each event distance will earn a very special recognition award.
LESS
Very fast ultra course
Beautiful flat, runnable course for fifty miles. Very low key with a little support. If you want a fifty mile PR this is your race! Nicely designed belt buckle for … MORE
Beautiful flat, runnable course for fifty miles. Very low key with a little support. If you want a fifty mile PR this is your race! Nicely designed belt buckle for the fifty mile finishers.
My first 50K!
The race is along the Lakefront in Chicago, the scenery is great. It's 3 out and backs of a little more than 5 miles each. It was nice to see … MORE
The race is along the Lakefront in Chicago, the scenery is great. It’s 3 out and backs of a little more than 5 miles each. It was nice to see people over and over again, very helpful when running alone. The aid stations were well stocked and everyone was very friendly. The shirt is nice, and the medal is great. It’s a small operation, but they know what they are doing. I only wish there was food left at the end for the slowpokes.
This is your 50k PR
This is likely the flattest 50k you will ever find. Run on Chicago's lake front path, the course is three 10.35-mile out-and-back segments with three stations. Runners can expect Chicago's … MORE
This is likely the flattest 50k you will ever find. Run on Chicago’s lake front path, the course is three 10.35-mile out-and-back segments with three stations. Runners can expect Chicago’s beautiful autumn, cool temperatures, plenty of non-racers on the path (the course is not closed), friendly volunteers at aid stations, and an excellent tech shirt. It’s a very quiet operation and for $55, it’s one the cheapest races ($/mile) that you will encounter.
Also, did I mention it’s super flat? Given it’s late October date, the only reason this race shouldn’t be your 50k PR is that you haven’t signed up yet.