Friday's Featured 5k of the Week - Jingle Bell Chicago/Lincoln Park

Time for another "seasonal race" - familiar name - different location.

The Jingle Bell 5k occurs in many cities across the state and country, raising money for the various chapters of the Arthritis Foundation.  This is one of the 5Ks that provides an opportunity for runners to fund-raise using a special internet page, which runners can use to solicit donations from friends and families.  However, fund-raising is not required, runners may choose to just pay the entry fee.

The specific Jingle Bell 5k covered here is the one that takes place in Chicago, IL at Lincoln Park this coming Saturday (12/13).

In the past the SWAG consisted of a quality long sleeve themed shirt (usually a Christmas color), a "Rudolph" nose, a Jingle Bell necklace, and other sponsor provided goodies.  The cool part about this goodie bag, in this runner's opinion, is the Jingle Bell.  With over half of the participants putting the bells on prior to running - it sounds like a stampede of reindeer!!  It also lets you know if someone is right on your tail.  Definitely a unique sounding race!

Last year it had snowed about 2-3 inches of lake effect wet/heavy snow overnight - and then snow fell the entire race.  The course was a combination of road, paved path, and unpaved path.  Of course, with the snow - it was all the same - snow covered.  And that added to the fun immensely!  Talk about feeling like a kid playing out in the snow!!!!  Just picture around 1000 adults running in the snow like kids - everybody was smiling - there would be no PRs during this run - but nobody cared!

The route starts at the Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park.  This event offers a 10k and a 5k - the 10k heads towards Lake Shore Drive and goes underneath and heads north to Cricket Hill past Montrose.  The 5k starts with the 10k but breaks off relatively early and goes around the north part of Diversey Harbor then back across on Fullerton followed by the big circular turn around under Fullerton and eventually back towards the finish line.  Confusing as it sounds, the map is on the official site and is well marked along the way - it's not all that confusing in reality.

Another really cool feature is that the Notebaert Nature Museum serves as the host - which allows participants a warm place before and after the race - including admission to the exhibits within the Nature Museum.  Gear check and prizes are also in the Museum - along with cheese tasting an various other vendors.  If you've never been to the Notebaert Nature Museum, this is a perfect opportunity to check it out - it's a great museum and they are great hosts!  I have to admit, I actually learned quite a bit while walking around the museum pre-race and looking at the exhibits and reading the information.  If you are doing the race - I highly recommend including the Museum as part of the day.

Official race webpage