Monday's Featured 5k of the Week - Get Lucky 7k

Our 5k this week is a 7k.

And to be honest, the entire reason I ran this race was because of Cabin 7 Promotions.  Thank goodness we aren't called Cabin 32 Promotions!!  (I'm normally only a 5k runner)

In honor of St. Patrick's weekend this event is called the Get Lucky 7k and 21k (lucky 7s).  The 21k is actually a half-marathon distance (13.1 miles).  For those who are wondering a 5k is 3.1 miles and a 7k is 4.34ish.

This year's event started in Soldier Field South Lot (or McCormick Place North Lot) - so slightly different starting spot from many other Soldier Field Stadium Green starts - but essentially the same general area.  "Racers Village" was actually quite large with booths, a warming tent, and photo op displays - also registration for the Tiki 5k/10k later in the year.  The "racers village" almost looked like a permanent setup - which was kinda cool.

Both the 7k and the 21k started on the bike/jogging path next to this lot.  The 21k continued down to Jackson Park, where the 7k was an out-and-back running south past McCormick Place (which actually is the beginning of a gradual (but long) uphill.  This of course, is a welcome downhill to finish the race!  The path continues on with Lake Michigan on one side and Lake Shore Drive on the other.  Some winding and a few more gradual up (and down) hills.  The path is wide enough to accommodate walkers, fast runners, and slow runners alike - even after the turn around - the path is still plenty wide to allow for two-lane running traffic.  There is also a nice crushed gravel (or maybe it's hard dirt) as a shoulder for walkers who wish to "pull over".  After the turn around, the course follows the same path back.  The nice thing about the course, you know when you get back to McCormick Place, though you can not see the finish line - you know it's right there.

Another really nice feature of this event, that I have not seen at any others - the course is not only lined with mile markers - but also kilometer markers.  Now, for a 5k person like me, I can do the translation - but it was nice to see that 6 kilometer marker.  As my body was like "aren't we supposed to be done now" - the kilometer markers provided that added inspiration.

The finisher's medal is one of the nicest ones on the circuit - large, green, and sturdy.  Speaking of green - talk about a sea of green!  (and I don't mean the Chicago River)  I'd say 99% of the runners were wearing green, some leprechaun outfits, some hats, lots of green beads, and anything else shamrocky.  Just like this route turns red for the Santa Hustle - it turned green for the Get Lucky.

The swag is an awesome zippered sweat jacket with very fancy Get Lucky logos on the back AND front.  (sort of reminds me of something the Shamrocks wore in Hill Street Blues).  But, quality, nice fit, nice material, and if it had been cold out - nice warmth.

Great volunteers - great event.  I know Cabin 7 will be back to run the 7k next year!

Official site is : http://www.chicagogetlucky.org/