Friday, November 7, 2014

Friday's Featured 5k of the week - HOT CHOCOLATE - CHICAGO 5k (and 15k)


Why? Because this is in downtown Chitown baby!!!! The race starts in Grant Park, near the Art Institute of Chicago. The 5k goes straight to Lower Wacker and completes the first mile "underground". Emerges onto Clark Street and heads south to Van Buren. It then heads eastbound under the "L" tracks and between the cavernous buildings. This seems to be the place of fun, as last year a 2-block long game of "Marco" "Polo" erupted - echoing off the buildings and even drowning out the overhead "L". (okay, maybe I exaggerated drowning out the "L"). Then south on Michigan Ave to Roosevelt Road (when the crazy 15k runners peel off) and then finishing back in Grant Park.

Runners in the 5k experience some iconic Chicago sites - Art Institute, Grant Park, Millennium Park, Lower Wacker, Daley Plaza, Thompson Center (State of IL building), the "L", Michigan Avenue, to name a few - heck even run past the downtown prison!

The 15k continues south on Michigan Avenue past McCormick Place and eventually back north on the Lakefront path, passing Soldier Field and the Museum Campus.

Talk about iconic Chicago on the run!!

In addition for the 3 days prior to the run, packet pickup isn't just a table and a drawstring bag - it's a celebration. Held at McCormick place it has vendors, vendors, vendors, it has free chocolate at every turn, free Hot Chocolate, free flavored water products. It has every running supply you could need for purchase - and even a sign-up booth for the Polar Dash races in January. It also has jumpies for the kiddies and a DJ - a rather lively one at that.

I thought I recall 35,000 runners last year - and this is one of the most organized events I have ever seen. And mega-kudos to all of the volunteers who make it happen - and there are a ton of them.

In addition, for those who prefer a Lakefront walk instead. There is the Little City 2.5 mile walk. It leaves from the same starting corrals as the 5k/15k - and heads to Lower Wacker, before turning towards Lake Michigan and returning to Grant Park.

The 5k/15 are sold out - the walk is still open. It is this Sunday.

http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/chicago/

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