The Veterans 5k supporting the Wounded Warrior Project was held on the first Saturday in November at the newly reopened Cardinal Creek Golf Course in Beecher, Illinois, a Chicago Southland Community on the Historic Dixie Highway. The course itself is located on Dixie Highway just behind an old-fashioned ice cream stand!
The event featured a chili cook-off (free voting entry for 5k participants), 1 free bar drink for participants, hot dogs and hamburgers for a very minimal donation, "small" raffles, and "large" raffles, and a 50/50. In addition, the great atmosphere of a golf course clubhouse before and after the race and a bounce house for the kids and a couple of Wounded Warrior Themed cars on display. Oh yeah, and a DJ before/during/after the 5k.
The 5k itself took place on and along the golf course. The course started and ended by the clubhouse (just like a round of golf). The majority of the course was run on a combination of paved and crushed gravel golf cart paths. The paths were rather narrow, but the grass around them was smooth and flat. After about 1 mile the runners thinned out and the path sizes were not an issue. (They were never really an issue - just a special aspect of the course). As with any golf course, there was little shade (sun was bright, but temps were just right). There was also non-stop rolling hills. Only 1 really significant ascent and descent though. But, it seemed runners were either going uphill or downhill at all times. Nothing wrong with that - it's a golf course - that's what they do.
Some of the course ran along a subdivision side street and then along Indiana street, but 95% (or more) of the route was on the course itself. There was even a bridge crossing which was fun and unique! About 10% of the course (maybe less) was run on grass. No trip hazards though, as this is a golf course - not a forest preserve. Near the end of the course, there was a steady incline on the grass, which then reached the paved path, with a more direct incline. Upon cresting the hill - there was a steep downhill, so much so that one had to be cautious not to roll over forward. Again, another unique feature to the course.
Throughout the entire course, runners changed from pavement to crushed gravel to grass and even wood plank (the bridge). All of this made for an ever changing and fun course. And, naturally, being a golf course - a nice scenic and somewhat serene course. Certainly more serene than road courses.
Oh yeah, a busload of Marine Recruits also showed up to run the race. After they completed the race - they ran from the finish line backwards for a distance all the while high-fiving and encouraging other finishing runners. A very nice gesture - that provided that extra motivation for a strong finish.
Very nice to see them there - I thank them for being there - and for always being here for us!!
Great volunteers throughout the course and at the clubhouse. This was the inaugural event - I hope it becomes an annual event!!
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