Monday's Featured 5k of the Week - Les Turner ALS Foundation 5k at US Cellular Field

We seem to be looking at baseball stadium related 5Ks lately, so time to add the Les Turner ALS Foundation 5k, which takes place at US Cellular Field (aka : The Cell, Comiskey II, Comiskey Park, Sox Park, White Sox Park) on Chicago's South Side.

This event supports the Les Turner ALS Foundation, which is fitting considering this was "Lou Gerhig's Disease" and, though not a Sox player, he was one of the greatest ball players of his time.

The event takes place at The Cell with a very cool course.  The 5k "tent site" (event and sponsor tents) is located on the footprint of the original Comiskey Park (just across the street from the current ballpark).  The Start/Finish line is essentially the original Home Plate location!

The course starts at Home Plate and heads south, crossing 35th Street (at Shields, appropriately) and into the parking lots west and south of the ballpark.  The course then runs the perimeter of these lots until heading back north alongside the above-grade Amtrak train tracks.  During last year's event, an Amtrak passed and runners waived - and passengers waived back!  The course then crosses 35th street and into to the northwest lot, where the perimeter is traversed.  The course then hits some local streets very briefly as the course heads towards the northeast lot.  Runners traverse the perimeter of this lot and then head south to cross 35th street again - this time closer to the Dan Ryan.  Now comes the best part of the course!  Runners entire US Cellular Field from a Center Field access point - running under the bleachers and dashing out on the warning track through the Center Field Wall!  Runners then run the entire warning track, all the way around the field, and exit via the Center Field Wall as well.  The course then heads back across 35th Street again and eventually finishes back near Home Plate - just heading the opposite direction as when they started.  It is pretty cool to see all 5k fit on White Sox property without any redundant areas of the course.

By the way, once inside The Cell - there are video cameras placed throughout, and runners can see themselves up on the JumboTron!!  It is definitely a unique perspective being down on a Major League playing field - it truly feels "cavernous".  Participants get to see and feel the same thing as the ball players!

This is an early evening run, and upon completion, participants are invited for some food and drinks in the outdoor cafe next to the ballpark.  While dining, participants get to watch the MLB All-Star Game live on the many TV screens inside the cafe.

A perfect event for baseball fans!!

Watch the official site for further details as All-Star Week approaches - http://www.lesturnerals.org/donate/