Friday's Featured 5k of the Week - St. Paddy's Day 5k

The St. Paddy's Day 5k (and 8k) run (and walk) takes place the weekend near St. Patrick's Day - this year that would be 3/15.

Both races start in the same location - just across from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - the same locale at the New Year's Day 5k, which has been featured in the past.  Again, I highly recommend planning some extra tie before (or after) the event to stop in at this Museum - excellent for adults and excellent for kids, with interactive displays throughout.

So, back to the 5k.  When I ran t last year, Chicago was still experiencing some cold weather and there were a few icy patches on the path.  The path consists of crushed gravel and paved bike/jogging paths.  The 5k path heads north along Diversey Harbor, crosses under Lake Shore Drive, and then along Belmont Harbor where it turns back south.  It is basically an out-and-back course, though some of the return is along different paths than the out portion.  Last year, due to the ice and treacherous condition, the course was re-routed from the path along Belmont Harbor and instead went south along Lake Shore Drive before turning back.  Either route is a fun scenic route and is worth the run.

The 8k starts along the 5k path, but continues north of Belmont Harbor and past Addison Avenue - which includes passing the legendary, allegedly haunted, Totem Pole - which is said to be staring directly down Addison, and being one of the many curses of the Cubs.  It then eventually heads back south, but on the opposite side of Diversey Harbor this time before coming back to the finish.  Just like the 5k, a great scenic route.

Though the grass isn't quite green yet - this race is like looking at a sea of green.  In true Chi-rish fashion most of the runners are decked out in as much green as possible, including hats, glasses, beads, and even some Leprechaun outfits!

It most certainly wouldn't be a true Chi-rish 5k if it didn't end with a free beer!!!  A nice cold beer to celebrate completing the race - and St. Patrick's Weekend at the same time.

It's a morning race, so there is still plenty of time to get downtown and enjoy the celebrations!!

Info available at - http://www.stpaddysdayrunchicago.com/