Friday's Featured 5k of the Week - THE RIVER ROAD 5K

Time to think Spring!

The Kankakee Valley Park District (KVPD) sponsors their annual River Road 5k in March.  As you can tell from the name, this race starts just off of River Road and is probably near a river, most likely the Kankakee River.  If you made all of those assumptions.........you are correct.

The River Road 5k is an out-and-back course which begins near the baseball/softball fields on River Road.  The course then heads up a crushed gravel service road, wide enough to spread out at the start, and then follows the left hand turn of the service road.  Then after a slight right hand turn, runners enter the River Front path.  This is a paved path, with lane markings designed for use as a bike path as well, therefore it is plenty wide for passing other runners - and for the runners on their "back" portion of the out-and-back.  I know there is enough room for the out-and-back, because, as a mid-pack runner - I always encounter many people on their way back - while I'm still on my way out.  The path does include a couple of wooden bridges to add to the variety as well as a spectacular view of the Kankakee River.

Now, normally, this would be referred to as the "tree-lined" path - but since the race is in March - the trees aren't even noticeable, as they no leaves.  But, this does allow the runners a full view of Kankakee Community College and of course the river.  In 2014 when I ran it was actually snowing, quite heavily just before the race.  Just enough snow to make the crushed gravel a bit slippery and of course require caution on the entire course for ice patches.  Remember, "bridges freeze before roads". But, just like any race - conditions are part of the fun and the challenge - and as any good runner knows - you must always adjust for the conditions.

A very well organized run on a scenic route - perfect for a "let's get out of winter already" run!