This event also had a 10k portion as well. As usual, this focuses on the 5k.
Obvious from the name, this event takes place at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. However, most of the course in run outside of the zoo on the familiar paths of Lincoln Park/Diversey Harbor. There are some benefits to that, as a familiar course tends to be a faster course - definitely helps with PR possibilities.
A little more than 1/2 a mile of the 3.1 miles is actually held within the zoo proper. But, this makes for some unique challenges. Probably categorized as a "crowd-run" due to the number of people, this is a congested run from the start. The race starts on the street, where it is about 20-people wide, and in less than 2/10ths of a mile switches onto the tiny paths of Lincoln Park Zoo. Whereas, most crowd-runs go nearly a mile before switching to narrow paths. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it all depends on perspective. This merely adds a challenge to get off to a quick start and pass as many as possible early on, and then the challenge of squeezing down from 20-wide for 3-wide almost immediately after the start. It adds a different dimension from a standard crowd-run, as traffic navigation is critical. Once inside the zoo, for maybe 1/2 a mile, the race is on the narrow paths - but to add to that, the zoo is open. This is a free-to-the-public zoo - so once those gates are open - anybody can be anywhere. This leads to navigating around families walking in groups and parked strollers - all while running the most crowded portion of the race - the first 1/2 mile. Again, it's perspective, this can be a negative, or a unique challenge.
The course finishes with the final .1 miles back inside the zoo. Like most large runs, there are plenty of vendors, and, what is becoming a Chicago 5k tradition - free beer and pizza at the finish!
This is a race that tests your traffic navigation, traffic avoidance, and quick start skills. There are also a couple of hills as well.
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