Monday's Featured 5k of the Week - The Community 5k

The Community 5k, which was briefly called the New Thing 5k, and now the Community 5k again, is presented by the Community Christian Church and the New Thing Movement in Plainfield, IL.

This is summertime race taking place in Mid-to-Late June.  We are featuring it this week considering it is presented by a Christian Church, and that is the reason for this season.

The 5k takes place in beautiful Settlers Park in Plainfield with over half of the event on local neighborhood streets.  For the most part it is a flat course that leaves the parking lot at Settlers Park,
heads out past Richard Ira Jones school then park towards the park to a dead-end street turn around and then on park paths for the remainder of the race, crossing over a wooden foot bridge to finishing just before entire the outdoor amphitheater portion of Settlers Park.

One of the cool things about the route, as you exit the tree-line portion of the track the finish line is visible, though it is not a straight shot to get to it - but the sight (and sounds) of the finish line provide that motivational lift to finish strong.

Always a good race, have done it twice so far, run by volunteers who put a lot of time and energy into it and put their hearts into providing a good race.  It is a well-marked course, with volunteers along the way to guide and cheer.  The pre & post race has a few different booths set up and the awards ceremony takes place at the outdoor amphitheater with award winners receiving their medals on stage - which is always cool (nobody outgrows being on stage - right?).  Plenty of parking next to the park and across the street as needed.

Another unique feature about this event is the group prayer before the start of the race.  Proceeds go to various charitable organizations supported by Community Christian Church as well as the New Thing Program which helps communities establish new churches.

Click here to access the Community Christian Church website.