Founded in September of 2012, Muddy Monk had a simple vision based on a few loves: people; the…read morecity of Chicago; good beer; and, trail running. So the concept was born that Muddy Monk would design and coordinate trail races replete with aid stations and plenty of volunteers and provide craft beer (following all local rules and regulations) at the end of each trail race. I've had the luxury of running in three of their events (their inaugural Thriller in Schiller, the Frozen 5 Miler, and the Mayday^3 15k) and I'll offer a a few quick points about these guys: Organization: 4.5 out of 5, and getting better each time As with every new concept, there will be growing pains, and Muddy Monk was not exempt from these early learning curves. At the very first Thriller in Schiller, a lot of good work was done up front, and registration/getting to the course itself wasn't an issue. Some of the main concerns that the runners had (and echoed by the organizers after the event) included a shortage of water after the event, and the need for some type of streamlined timing system. As an aside, MM does not use the disposable timing chips that you may find on road races for a # of reasons, some being cost and logistics, but they do employ Race Splitter. The second race I did with them (Frozen Five Miler) was truly a test against nature. The race was set in Poplar Creek Woods (I-90 and Sutton) and it snowed, snowed, snowed the days before with limited snow removal. Combine that with the fact that REI was doing a demo of some type in the same area, and parking was nonexistent at the grove. Here, MM definitely improvised, and had people park at the sports retail center down the road, and sort of came up with a makeshift shuttle system. Did it work? Yes. Was it pretty? Perhaps not, but I have a feeling that if the same thing were to happen again in the same type of weather, they'd be prepared. My most recent race with them was the Mayday^3 15k. Because I had some errands in the area in the morning, I came out two hours prior to race start time, and MM had the operation running smoothly. Volunteers were out helping with registration, the course was already marked, and all of the electronics were working. The organization of this event was spot on and I hope that the upward trend continues. Cost of Races: 4 out of 5 MM's races are reasonable to run from a price perspective, and if you register early enough, a 5 - 8 mile run will set you back about 35 bucks. And you get a t-shirt/hoodie and some type of finisher's award. And snacks/refreshments at the end, along with one craft beer. Race day signup isn't that bad either, as I signed up on the day of the Mayday^3 for the 15k distance and was only set back 40 bucks. I didn't get a finisher's award (pint glass), but I did a shirt. For reference, they are holding a half marathon this summer, and early registration is 55$. I imagine that a good chunk of that goes towards making sure that there are paramedics on site during the whole duration of the race. Technical difficulties of trails: 1 - 5 out of 5 I remember the Thriller in Schiller being a very easy race to run. It was my first ever 5k of any type, and I enjoyed how for all intents and purposes, it was "easy" and I didn't struggle a lot. The Frozen Five Miler, full of slush and snow and ice, was more technical but at least it was mainly straight with very little lateral movement throughout. But oh yes...the Mayday^3, that race was gnarly. The single track was particularly narrow, and oh boy was there a lot of lateral motion to dodge in between trees. Limbs and branches greeted you IN THE FACE if you weren't careful, and there were enough fallen trees that you had either jump over them gracefully, like a gazelle - or if you were tired on the last 5k, come to a standstill, put one leg over, and then slowly put the other leg over. As a general rule, the 5ks I would imagine would be slightly "easier" from a technical perspective, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Fun factor: 5 out of 5 This is where MM shines. There's something a little different, maybe even "off", about trail runners. At the end of the race, we drink a beer and talk about what parts of the course gave gave us the most problems, or compare the amount of mud and cuts that we have. Trail running is just more FUN for me. Selection of beer: 4.5 out of 5 MM and I will just have to split hairs on this one. I personally don't think that Finch's is that good when it comes to competing with the rest of Chicago's microbreweries. This does not mean that I won't drink it, it just means that for a volume to cost comparison, I much prefer Half Acre. But I get it - Finch's is probably easier to get in the 4 varieties that are usually out there, and no one really complains. And I shouldn't either. Moving along... Overall: 5 out of 5 Fun times, fun people, good beer.

Andy C pretty much covered everything so go read his review…read more Muddy Monk puts on A+ events. They are laid back and an absolute blast! The races are well organized and well executed. The courses are extremely well marked. Some of the courses are more technically challenging than others, but they're always a blast to run.

When asked if I was going run the Elvis is Alive 5k, I could only respond with one of my all time…read morefavorite quotes -- "Yippie ki-yay mother f---er!" (Deepak Chopra's concluding remarks at my college commencement). The race costs $33, is at beautiful Diversey Harbor, and has a small participant group. You are guaranteed to have a blast, but resist the urge to shout "This race is the master race and superior to all others!" because that will probably get you in trouble (unless you're in a Paula Dean restaurant). Couple of notes about the race. People who dress like Elvis get to start first. However, there are no corrals, so if you don't have a costume, or you move slower than Adele's metabolism, stay towards the back. This race isn't timed but there are timers at the start and every mile in between. If that isn't enough to figure out your time, just focus on keeping your drool cup tied tight and not acting irrationally violent when someone finds a quarter behind your ear muffs. Also, I noticed many of the runners wore bright fluorescent shirts representing the recipient charity, the Team to End AIDS. Or was it called the Team With AIDS? I can't remember! Good thing I used plenty of hand sanitizer when interacting with them. After the race, there are tables piled high with peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, watermelons, Clif bars, and pretzels. This is a welcome sight if you gave it your all. Probably less so if your bulimia is acting up. But then again, how badly do you want to be a Theta?? There also also trash cans piled high with water and Gator-ade. Amazing considering I just read a book about this place where kids have to fight to the death with primitive weapons just to win sustenance for their hometowns ("North Korea -- The Untold Story"). The after party also includes a stage with singing Elvis impersonators. It's great because I had no idea Elvis was the guy who originally sung some of those songs. I thought "All Shook Up" was just a poorly chosen selection on the "Deliverance" soundtrack. They even sang non-Elvis songs by the Stones or CCR. Just a suggestion for next year, though -- I'd like to see Elvis takes on slightly more modern stuff, like the Milkshake Song or any track by Two Live Crew. I thought the good vibes were captured when one Elvis exited the event and exclaimed, "Elvis has left the building!" Everyone laughed, although probably not nearly as much as when that phrase was first declared (by the coroner when asked "How is Elvis?").

*Information from site*…read more 2015 Beanie Hat - 2 designs to choose from DO-RITE DONUTS, coffee and cider for every finisher Holiday themed marketplace featuring local food and craft sellers  On course carolers from Lane Technical College Prep high school Whether you run, walk, or just stand and cheer, you are invited to participate in Chicago's Most Festive 8K and make spirits bright for youngsters in need by making a donation or contributing a new toy to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital. The Rudolph Ramble 8K is a winter wonderland of music, local food and craft sellers, freshly prepared winter treats, holiday decor, photos with Santa and more.  The Donner Dash is designed for children ages 2 to 12 years, and takes place on a loop course on the running path with the start and finish in the heart of the festivities. The race will be staged in the following heats: Each child will receive a shirt, commemorative Donner Dash Medal that (doubles as a great ornament) and a candy cane.

My cousin and I ran the Rudolph Ramble 8K in December 2014, and it was the best organized run I…read morehave ever done in Chicago! Admittedly, we really, really lucked out with weather as it was 50 degrees in December. And perhaps because it had snowed 8+ inches the prior year, participation was down (not sure, just a guess), meaning that the course was not overly crowded. I particularly loved that the race was mostly along the Lakefront path, but we weren't tripping over other runners. Like most Chicago races, the course was flat. Fleet Feet did a great job with entertainment. Santa was on site posing for pictures pre- and post-race. There was a very large inflatable Reindeer, also great for photo ops. The race kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem and Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer. The atmosphere was very festive - I love the holidays! Results were up on race day. Gear check was not crowded, and there was plenty of free food and Gatorade at the finish. The token race gift was a cute winter hat - a nice change from a t-shirt. I'll be running this race again, though I'm guessing most December days aren't so warm!

This is an incredible Race which benefits The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois! The race…read morecourse itself wraps through the zoo grounds making it a unique and fascinating event for people of ALL AGES! Date: June 5, 2022 Venues: 10K Race 5K Walk/Run Kids' Course SWAG:I love that they offer a t-shirt and bib with your registration fee. FYI-Finishers' Medals were available for an EXTRA $25.00 to help benefit the Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo is open daily for all individuals FOR FREE! The Zoo offers many on-site fundraisers to benefit the zoo and bring the community together as a whole to enjoy this public resource and gem of Chicago!

It seemed like ages since I'd been to Lincoln Park Zoo. Like, at least 10 years. Too long, for…read moresure. So I signed up for the Run for the Zoo as the perfect reason to return to the place I once loved. The event itself is well-organized. There's a 10K, 5K, 5K fun walk, and Gorilla Gallop for kids. With all those events going on, I expected some confusion. But to my surprise and delight, this was a smooth sailing ship. The course looped through the zoo at the beginning of the race - and it was fun (and a little unusual) to run by a crowd of polar bears. They didn't do much cheering, but that can be forgiven. The rest of the course followed the lakefront trail, up almost to Irving Park and back down by the Belmont Harbor. After the race was over, I played tourist and strolled around the zoo, stopping in the new primate house. Wow. That made the early morning well worth it. I'd highly recommend the race and taking a day for the zoo.

I really liked this race and I'm looking forward to hopefully running it again next year…read more I registered with a discount code and was able to do packet pick-up at the race. They also offered a number of dates where you could go to Fleet Feet and get your gear beforehand. I showed up early on race day and was able to park within 1 block of Registration/Packet Pickup. It was only 2 blocks from the Starting Line and about 2.5 short blocks from Gear Check. Gear Check was also conveniently located at the end of their vendor area, so that was a smart move on their park Like others stated, this isn't the best event to try and PR at, but it clears out after the first mile. As is all too common at other racing events, people love to start out where they can't keep up, despite an official announcement to be courteous to others. I was hoping to do about 10-11 minute miles and went where I was supposed to, but I ended up being held back and going closer to 12-14 min/mi for a half mile and then totally passing up a bunch of people ahead of me and still only averaging closer to 11 min/mi initially. Slower people are also notoriously bad at moving to the right. Luckily, a pretty flat course helped me make up for it down the road. It's a somewhat winding course and lots of neighbors come out to cheer you on. It started out a little chilly but it quickly warmed up. Most of the race is shady, so it didn't get too bad. There's a stretch down Lawrence that is a bit brutal since the sun was shining by then and hitting the pavement. At least that part of the race only lasts for a few blocks and then you're protected by trees again. An advantage of this event taking place in Ravenswood is that there's a lot to do when you're done. If you're faster, you can finish and grab a celebratory pint and/or brunch at O'Shaughnessy's Public House. If you're slower, like I am, you might want to set your sights on River Valley Farmer's Table. They have a great Bloody Mary! If you're feeling adventurous and would like to check out another nearby neighborhood, there's always Lincoln Square. You might even get some ideas of where to go during your run since part of it goes up Lincoln Ave.

I did this run for the first time today. It reminded me a lot of the Bucktown 5K. This was a really…read morenice neighborhood race. They limit the capacity so that it doesn't get too crazy. The race proceeds from the Ravenswood Run benefit the Ravenswood Community Services Food Pantry at All Saints' Episcopal Church and the Student Health Centers at Lake View and Amundsen High Schools. There is also an optional $10 add on for a pancake breakfast (proceeds also going to the above charity). Plus, the shirt is super cute! This was sponsored by Fleet Feet -they have numerous races in Chicago and they always do a great job as far as easy packet pick-up and race organization. The only constructive feedback I have is that it was very casual and there weren't staggered starts. You could just walk up to your estimated mile time and get in line. Since this year it was so popular and sold out, I would recommend at least a 3 minute staggered starts between the mile times. The first mile was pretty crowded but, entering mile 2, things started to thin out a bit. I think it's fair to say that if you are an "elite" runner trying to accomplish a personal best or even win the race, get in the front of the line. Otherwise, you just run it to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and to simply participate, as I did. Despite the initially congested nature of the first mile, I hit my typical completion time. I'm glad I finally did it and am excited to make this part of my yearly race schedule!

I love this event, 8K IS THE BEST DISTANCE. No notes. Afternoon/evening time is my best time to…read morerun, too! Keep it going/bring it back!!

Bastille Day Run....how we meet again. The first time was in…read more2009. I just had adopted a new cat a couple of hours before, and the only thing I remember pretty clearly was getting sick in a trash can around mile 2. Yeah...good times... And speaking of good times, I wonder who came up with the slogan of the race this year (or is it every year? Not sure. I shall "invetigate") but that was a job poorly done in my humble opinion. Not that it's an easy job, and you surely don't have to please everyone. But still. First of all, using New Orleans motto to promote something as quintessentially French as Bastille Day is a bit of a faux-pas...that's about as appropriate as drinking Earl Grey on the Fourth of July, eating General Tsao chicken for Cinco de Mayo or giving out chocolate rabbits for Christmas. But then, think about it for two seconds. Even if you are not an expert in the language, you probably know that "Laissez les bons temps rouler" literally means "Let the good times roll." Kind of a, um, weird choice to celebrate the opening of one of the bloodiest times of French history. Unless your idea of a "good time" is to make heads roll. Personally, I think the Queen of Hearts has it best: "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!" Otherwise, the event itself was rather nice. Small in size, perfectly located for an evening run, free beer, music...good times indeed. But still.

I did the Shine tour 2015 Color run this summer and it was a bit of a let down. First of all, it…read morewas cloudy at the start line and then the skies began to darken. My friends and i then heard the claps of thunder and then it was like, OH SH*#, its coming down. And then it did. As we started to run, it began to pour! And not just a brief shower, It rained the whole race!!! Not that any of us could control the weather but as Lily Z. had mentioned, the event planners were ill prepared for the rain. Instead of getting a "dusting" of colored powder, you received a heavy sling of colored mud (because the powder had already mixed with the heavy rains) as you ran through each color station. And just when you've hit the 3.1 mile marker, drenched and cold and perhaps starting to get the shakes from hypothermia, you are hit one last time in colored mud... Only this time its GOLD powder!!! Yes people. You're hit with gold colored mud only to be glowing like a sad looking Oscar statue at the end of the finish line. Let's just say it was the piece de resistance to end it all off. My guess was that the crowd either loved and embraced the drenching experience or hated it completely. I'd hear runners say, "This is so BLEEPIN" awesome! Let's do this next year!" And then there were those that were like, "This Fn sucks. I'm never doing this again." And then there were those families with their 2-3 year old crying incessantly because they're all wet... The blowers at the end of the race were of no use to anyone there since you were already covered in rain and powder. The powder just stained you and anything you touched. Luckily i was smart enough to bring a towel to sit on in the car ride home, otherwise i would have had a helluva time time doing detailing on the car seats!!! Post-racers left the event looking like "Carrie" from the movie but instead of blood, you were a rainbow/glittered hot mess... I guess the only consolation prize this year was that they gave you a finisher's medal. Perhaps next year will have better weather.

The most low key 5k ever. This was my first and everything was oh so casual! I wish the different…read morecolor stations were better prepared because some of them ran out of powder by the time we arrived. Also, I don't know if they were adequately prepared for the rain. The post-it wall was a wreck. The Shout station was closed. I was not impressed with the SINGLE leaf blower for the entire race. The organizers made it seem like the leaf blower was some amazing post-race cleaner. No. it was really a guy with a leaf blower. A bit disappointed but at least the other runners made it fun and energetic.