Friday, February 27, 2015
Friday's Featured 5k of the Wek - Mardi Gras Chaser
The Mardi Gras Chaser has a 5k and a 10k. This will focus on the 5k - both start at the same place - both are out-and-back courses.
This was my first ever 5k starting/finishing at Montrose Harbor, which I'm sure is more scenic when there isn't 6 inches or more of snow on the ground. But weather aside, a very well organized event. A few vendor tents, on-site packet pickup/registration, and a gear check. A cornucopia of post-race snacks from Bimbo's, Entenman's, and other bakeries, plus fruit, water, and gatorade. Table after table of every baked snack or fruit you could wish for - all furnished by Bimbo's and their affiliates. They even brought their mascot, Osito, to help with the festivities.
Of course, being a Mardi Gras themed 5k, many participants showed up in full Mardi Gras attire, including beads, feathers, masks, and colorful outfits. Masks were given to all participants as part of the packet - and most runners started the race with them - some even finished with them. Though it was very definitely winter, the mood was festive the entire time.
The course was a out-and-back down the bike/running path heading south from Montrose Harbor. Over 1000 runners participating in the 5k and 10k events, and the path never seemed crowded. The most memorable part of the course was passing the softball fields. I know, how is that memorable? Well, even though there was a good 6 inches of snow on the ground, there were 2 ORGANIZED softball games going on - uniforms, umpires, etc. These were not just pick-up games - these were either part of a league or a tournament. The base paths weren't even shoveled, but the bases were in place and they were playing with a fluorescent green ball. It was quite a sight, as we ran by looking at them like they were strange - and they were looking at us like we were strange. Nope, not strange, just Chicagoans.
Lots of time running within eyesight of Lake Shore Drive, so there was constant motivation to keep the pace up. (don't want to be dogging it if someone you don't even know drives by, you know).
At the finish line, as one would expect, BEADS! Spectators, fellow runners, and volunteers had plenty of beads to pass out upon completion. After all, you have to earn those beads!
This event is run in February - look for it next year - I'm sure it will be back!
http://www.backonmyfeet.org/event/chi-mardi-gras-chaser-5k10k
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