3 NM - 3 Nautical Miles - slightly longer than a 5k at about 3.54 miles. (5k is approx 3.1)
This event takes place on the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois and is a companion event to the "Fort2Base" 10 NM which starts at Fort Sheridan and runs north to finish at the Great Lakes Naval Base.
This article is specifically about the 3 NM race, however the 10 NM does run the same path as the 3 NM event.
This was one of the most difficult races I have done - and also the most rewarding of all time for SO MANY reasons. Let's start with the most obvious, this event takes place on the Great Lakes Naval Base, where so many of our courageous men and women train to protect our country. It is such an honor to just be allowed onto the base - that in itself is enough to make the race worthwhile!!! Naturally, as most 5Ks do - this started with the National Anthem. I can't think of many things more spectacular than a National Anthem led by our courageous men and women on their own training grounds. Goose bumps!! Made me remember just how great it is to be an American!
The 3 NM runners race 100% on the base - while the 10 NM runners start at Fort Sheridan, traverse that base, then trek up to the Naval Base to finish. Both events start at basically the same time. The 10 NM runners run pretty much the same course at the Naval Base as the 3 NM runners.
What an amazing course, the 3 NM course utilizes many of the same trails and roads used as part of the training courses. The race starts on the base streets and then moves to a long and rather steep downhill run along a winding wooded trail (paved), then crossing a bridge, and then along the scenic Lake Michigan for a while. So far so good. Nice wide flat streets, a great long winding downhill (mostly shaded) and then scenic Lake Michigan - what could be better - right? Even on a 90+ degree day with 90+ humidity - this is still a nice fun run.
UNTIL
Heartbreak Hill!!
Now is when the runners learn why this is the training course! (and also where runners remember that if there is a downhill, there is probably an uphill too!) Just as the runners begin to thoroughly enjoy the Lake Michigan view, they turn the corner, and there it is - Heartbreak Hill. All of that nice winding downhill has come back in the form of ONE GIANT HILL. No winding, no mercy. I'm not sure what the angle was - but man, it felt and looked like a wall, not a hill. It took a long way to go down - but less distance to go up! But, the great part about it, was the thrill of tackling that beast - everybody around me charged it - no slacking no walking. And it hit back hard, but there were Naval Officers along both sides cheering the runners on with encouragement of all sorts - and you know what - we all made it!!! When the runners got to the top of the hill, I think their first thoughts were "rest time" - but - nope - 20 yards away was the PHOTOGRAPHER. And all runners know what to do then - run as hard as you have all day to get that perfect picture! So, there was no slowing after the hill - the running kept going. And it was rewarded with an awesome photo of the runners going under a banner that read "Hero Hill". By far my favorite 5k photo of all time (and I have some favorites).
The rest of the race has a slight downhill and finishes on the Naval Base streets - with the finishing chute complete with onlookers cheering from both sides. At the end, the Navy Band was playing - complete with a jazz-style/rock-style female vocalist, a horn section, and guitars.
This was an amazing event. The day happened to be something like 92 degrees at the 7:15am start time - and humidity was already at the 80% range. But you know what, so what, this was a race on the Naval Base - nothing was going to stop us!!!
By far one of my favorite races (maybe most favorite) race of the year!!!
The 2015 race is August 23 - info here - http://fort2base.com/
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