Lakefront 10 Miler & 5K
Chicago, IL
- 10 Miler, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Lakefront 10 Miler & 5K, presented by Fleet Feet, is a spring tradition in Chicago. Started in 1978, this is CARA’s longest running race and the original race along the lakefront. The 10 mile and 5k courses span along the beautiful Chicago Lakefront, feature a climb up and over … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 12):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 80 | 61 | 63 | 83 | 69 |
| L (°F) | 54 | 36 | 49 | 59 | 41 |
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Will never run a CARA race again!
My sister and I have been running a 5k/month since last October, so we decided to give the race a try since it's close to home. We will never do … MORE
My sister and I have been running a 5k/month since last October, so we decided to give the race a try since it’s close to home. We will never do this race again!
1. Swag – Long sleeve shirt is okay, not great.
2. Course – No mile marker signs for 5k, just volunteers holding signs with arrows pointing you in the direction you should be running. Also, there is a MASSIVE hill at about 2.75 miles that was a beast.
3. CARA – Sooooooo many spam emails! Will never sign up for another CARA race.
4. Post-race snacks: Delicious honey crisp apple at the finish line with water and protein bars.
5. Medical aid: A guy that was finishing the 10-mile collapsed right at the finish line. There was no medical aid close by so they made an announcement asking medical to come to the finish line. The paramedics that werw onsite took their sweet time getting there and were WALKING to the finish line like there was NO emergency.
A tour of Chicago's Northside Parks
Just above North Avenue in Chicago is a series of parks, from Lincoln Park, to Belmont Harbor and up to Montrose Beach. They are all connected by a series of … MORE
Just above North Avenue in Chicago is a series of parks, from Lincoln Park, to Belmont Harbor and up to Montrose Beach. They are all connected by a series of running paths that allow for a training run of any distance. The CARA Lakefront 10-miler creates an incredibly windy spaghetti trail through many of these paths, showing why it’s such a runner’s paradise. Not only is it very flat and only rarely requires runners to watch out for cars, but it’s incredibly green and right by Lake Michigan. This race is typically run by just over 1,000 locals and the field at the front can be very competitive. However, it’s also a favorite of casual runners and walkers alike, as it takes place on a public path that is never closed. The weather can be unpredictable, but the beautiful course is guaranteed. At around $40 for early bird specials, it’s also one of the cheapest long-distance races in the city.