Featured Running Event of the Week - Allerton 10k

The Allerton 10k is one of three races during the Allerton Races (facebook link) weekend at Allerton Park and Retreat Center (facebook link) in Monticello, IL. In the past I have posted about the Trail-Glo 5k which occurs on Friday night at 8:30pm, in the dark. You can read about that one on our blog at this direct link - http://cabin7promotions.blogspot.com/2015/03/fridays-featured-5k-of-week-allerton.html

The other race is the Allerton Half. A 13.1 Half Marathon through the Allerton Park woods, prairie, statue gardens, barns (yes, through a barn), and other terrain. But I did not run that one, but I'm sure it's safe to say it's everything I'm going to talk about - times 2.

The Allerton 10k is a 6.2 mile race through primarily the wooded portion of Allerton Park. The park itself has prairies, sunken gardens, woods, river beds, streets, monument gardens, barns, and all kinds of terrain. The 10k is primarily in the very hilly wooded portion. The race starts on the north side of the Sangamon River and runs on the road until the south side of the river. It them spends the bulk of the 6.2 miles going up hills and down hills and up hills and down hills. Sometimes, it's even flat!! But even those end up being gradual ups or downs. There are so many unique surprises along the way that I don't want to provide any spoilers here. But let's say that there is a theme - music and uniqueness. Well, and fun!

The majority of the trail is 2-to-4 wide paths consisting of dirt/mud and grass. There are a few (very few) gravel paths, about 1.5 miles of road, and a very small portion of single-track paths. There is a one interesting out-and-back segment, that seems oddly out of place - but provides one of many unique surprises - and a chance to high-five fellow runners on the tight 2-wide path.

The course is definitely challenging, and since the leaves are not in bloom quite yet, runners can see other groups ahead in the distance, foreshadowing an upcoming uphill - or even more enjoyable the upcoming downhill.

The first 6.2 miles are shared with the Half-Marathon runners - as 10k runners cross the finish line, the Half-Marathoners stream by to the right to continue on. This provides for a fun mix of paces within the same race!

The grounds at Allerton Park are amazing, the Half-Marathon obviously takes in more sights, but I highly encourage participants to take the time to walk the grounds before/after the event and see all of the amazing statues and gardens and everything else. For those who don't mind spoilers - be sure to check out the Allerton Races facebook page and webpage and the Allerton Park facebook page and webpage (linked above) to see the permanent sights, as well as the run-specific unique sites.

The race is staffed with AMAZING volunteers providing everything from water to encouragement to music to entertainment. Without them, this event would just be a "trail race" instead, it's something very special!

The finish line allows the runners to get their finish line kick through Fu Dog Garden - a long stretch of grass coming out of the woods with Fu Dogs on pedestals on both sides. A very cool ending - feels royal and historic!

And, as expected, this one of a kind event has one of a kind trophies for those with podium finishes. A very cool Fu Dog ceramic!

Trail races are challenging and unique by nature - but this event is also amazing, surprising, funny at times, entertaining, and full out fun.

It's more than a race - it's an event!!