With the Dead in town for 3 shows this weekend, what a perfect time to feature the Terrapin 5k, which, coincidentally (well, actually on purpose), took place last night - the night before the Grateful Dead concerts started. And, just happened to occur just across Lake Shore Drive from the concert location. All coincidences, I'm sure. (note sarcasm)
RAM Racing hosted the Terrapin 5k, a Grateful Dead themed event, on July 2 at Arvey Field in Grant Park, only steps away from Soldier Field.
The event featured "Magic Brownies" and "Shroom Pizza" as the after-run "Munchie" and of course, an after-run beer. The featured beer was Magic Hat Number 9 and Electric Peel - ideal for the theme of the evening. The swag, pictured below, speaks for itself.
The course was a variation of other Grant Park courses, but different than other ones. It starts in Arvey Field, immediately goes under LSD and then up a hill to run along Lake Shore Drive until the 1 mile mark - at Monroe Harbor. The course then turns around and heads back south on the Lakefront Path - which is LITERALLY lakefront. The lake is about 10 yards to the runners left. What an awesome view going north to the skyline and then back south to Museum Campus - with the cityscape on one side and the lake view on the other. Running along LSD is fun too, as many of the drivers, stuck in heavy traffic this time, love to honk and cheer for the runners. Once the runners get back to Museum Campus, they head towards Columbus Drive and run along side that for quite a while. No traffic here though, Taste of Chicago is in town, and that road is closed. The course goes north, almost to the Taste, then makes a quick U-Turn to head south past the softball fields (16" softball, by the way). This also adds to the fun as some of the softball spectators turn around to cheer on the runners. The course then heads back east, and even has a little chicane to navigate, then back north on the other side of the softball fields. It then u-turns again, and runners finish along LSD heading south - with the finish line viewable from LSD. Again, lots of areas of motivation along the way.
Being 4th of July weekend, The Taste of Chicago, and the Dead concert weekend (and who knows what else) this added a touch of variety to the course. By rule, Chicago does not close its public paths or parks for a 5k. Therefore, the course was a little crowded, but not bad, as non-5k participants were EXTREMELY courteous in sharing the path - some even blended into the run for a while. So, this does add a challenge - but at the same time, adds motivation. So many people watching from all points of the course and so many of them cheering on the runners. So cool when complete strangers cheer on complete strangers!!!
Post race, runners pick up their food and beverage and relax. Shortly after 99% of the runners completed the course, the band Old Shoe took the stage and played Grateful Dead songs for about 90-to-120 minutes. Nearly every participant stayed to watch the band. A sea of tye-dye.
Not all the runners were Deadheads, probably only a few were legit Deadheads, many were Dead fans and many were music fans. But, what was unique was the relaxed atmosphere the entire time. Pre-race instead of seeing a bunch of people "getting into the zone", they were all just laying and sitting on the grass with their tye-dye outfits, just enjoying the weather and the view. Then, when it was time, they meandered up to the starting corrals. Post-race was even more relaxed as people enjoyed the band and swayed and danced to the music, or sat out on blankets and enjoyed the music, weather, and view.
Combining a 5k with live music, especially Grateful Dead music, definitely presented a very peaceful, enjoyable, relaxing event. The true definition of community and friendship.
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