Seems like the perfect time of day to post our Featured 5k of the Week - the Sundowner 5k. As the name might suggest - this is an evening race. The race started at 7:15pm on a Thursday night at Pilcher Park in Joliet, IL. The timing of the race is just right as the sun just begins to dip behind the trees of the park - hence the name. Depending on one's speed, the sun may still be up or might almost be down at the finish line.
There isn't much parking available AT the race location - but there are shuttle buses that run continuously from 5:00pm until 9:00pm from the nearby K-Mart. The K-Mart isn't really that far, and many people choose to walk it as a pre-race warmup - or post-race cooldown.
The race takes place in a park/forest preserve, with the entire course
within the tree-lined park. It is pretty much an out-and-back style
course - but there are quite a few sections which are not two-way
traffic. The path is plenty wide for passing and for spreading out and
for the most part is a smooth path. Rumors have it that it will be
repaved for next year and be even smoother. The race starts with a
downhill within the first 1/4 mile - but don't forget, that means there
is an uphill somewhere in the final 1/4 miles as well. There are
rolling hills throughout, but nothing really visible to the eye, but
slightly noticeable to the body. Nothing really to talk about.
Somewhere after the halfway point, they have installed a "misting system" which runs over the path and sprays down a cool mist of water. Even though this was an evening race, it happened to be quite humid and hot that night, and this was definitely a welcome surprise to the runners!
Even though the course is quite wide, it's not quite wide enough for the large turnout they draw each year. The race is started in two waves - the runners 9 minutes and under, those "in it to win it" and then the 9+ minute runners. The wave start definitely relieves congestion at the start, as well as throughout the course.
Many races also have "kids runs" - and those usually take place after the event. This race switches that around and they have a 2-in-1 kids race to start. Those under 8 run 1/4 mile and those over 8 run a full mile. They start together. This is a great way to kickoff the event, as 5k participants line the home stretch cheering on their kids as well as kids they don't even know. It's a great positive and uplifting way to kickoff an event.
After the race there is plenty of grilled-on-the-spot hamburgers and chicken burgers as well as pop and beer for the participants. It's like having a picnic that includes a 5k run! A very nice small-town atmosphere as the sun sets and the day cools down.
Somewhere after the halfway point, they have installed a "misting system" which runs over the path and sprays down a cool mist of water. Even though this was an evening race, it happened to be quite humid and hot that night, and this was definitely a welcome surprise to the runners!
Even though the course is quite wide, it's not quite wide enough for the large turnout they draw each year. The race is started in two waves - the runners 9 minutes and under, those "in it to win it" and then the 9+ minute runners. The wave start definitely relieves congestion at the start, as well as throughout the course.
Many races also have "kids runs" - and those usually take place after the event. This race switches that around and they have a 2-in-1 kids race to start. Those under 8 run 1/4 mile and those over 8 run a full mile. They start together. This is a great way to kickoff the event, as 5k participants line the home stretch cheering on their kids as well as kids they don't even know. It's a great positive and uplifting way to kickoff an event.
After the race there is plenty of grilled-on-the-spot hamburgers and chicken burgers as well as pop and beer for the participants. It's like having a picnic that includes a 5k run! A very nice small-town atmosphere as the sun sets and the day cools down.
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