Featured Running Event of the Week - Frosty 5-Miles

A few weeks ago we had the Frosty 5k (that's K, which equals 3.1 miles).  Today we have the Frosty 5M (M, for miles - or 5 miles).

2017 was the 38th Annual Frosty 5-Miles in Channahon, IL.  38 years for a single running event is IMPRESSIVE to say the least!!!  And there is no question why it has endured for as long as it has.

It is run in early/mid February, which in Chicagoland means the weather can be anything.  It can be 45, it can be 62, it can be -17 wind-chill, it can be in the middle of a 6-inch snow storm, it can be freezing rain - and this year - it can be windy!!  News mentioned gusts up to 40 mph with a sustained wind around 19 mph.

So, the course takes off from a grade school and the first mile winds through small-town Americana streets.  Even in February, in 37 degree weather, many residents were standing outside to cheer the runners along, take pictures of friends and neighbors, and generally watch the spectacle of people running for no apparent reason except, "because it's fun".  A very nice start to the race, very friendly.

The course then heads out of town and into a semi-hilly region with a couple of small hills, then a long long long downhill slope.  During this part there is water to both sides of the runners, through the tree line, but since it is February, it's easy to see through the trees.  There is something scenic about water.  At the end of the downhill, as runners approach a dead-end right before I-55, is the turn-around.  But, maybe it was because of the hill, it seemed to be an optical illusion - that turn-around seemed to be miles away.  But it eventually arrived.

Now, the tough part, that long downhill - was now a very long uphill - and it happened to also be INTO the wind most of time, and into a cross-wind the rest of the time.  The "back" portion of the race was almost entirely into the wind.  The cross-wind was so strong, that runners were literally blown sideways a foot or two mid-stride - like a tractor-trailer being blown on the expressway.  But it didn't matter, everybody kept on trucking, I mean running.

The route finishes with a smaller winding through the neighborhood, to even more residents outside cheering and finishes with a long block straight-away to the finish line - perfect for those who love the finish-line kick!

The event itself was very well-organized, there was never any confusion about anything, there was gear check, and even a table of scoring computers, so runners could check all their stats as soon as they crossed the finish line.  The pre and post race festivities took place inside the grade school cafeteria and gymnasium (2 separate rooms) and there was plenty of room for everybody.