Monday's Featured 5k of the Week - Crete Country Christmas

Crete Country Christmas
Coming up this Saturday (12/6)
Benefiting the Crete Food Pantry

The Crete Country Christmas features a twice-around route though the old Crete neighborhoods.  The course starts at Division & Elizabeth and heads East to Vista - which allows for a few blocks with houses on one side and farmland on the other side - perfectly representative of the Chicago Southland communities.  The course then heads back West for a few blocks, then jogs South briefly, then back West.  Runners then head back North on Wood street which has a slight dogleg to it.  Runners then do it all again.  In the summer this would be a heavily shaded route (except along on the farmland) - but during the winter, the scenery consists of well decorated houses.  It is a day race, thus the Christmas lights don't come into play - but there are plenty of yard decorations to look at.  The course is primarily flat and is perfect for the casual fun runner, as well as those out to set PRs.

The packet pickup is the same morning at The Edge Coffee House a few blocks from the starting line - the after-race party is also at The Edge.  The race also consists of a 250M run for kids straight down Elizabeth Street and takes place after the 5k.  The event is open to serious runners, fun runners, walkers, and strollers.  The race is timed.  There are overall awards and age-group awards. 

Full details of the Run and the entire Crete Country Christmas can be found at this link.