**Review of the 5K event only**
This is a nice little neighboorhood 5K.
The course starts at 159th and Cicero, runs north up Cicero, trough Oak Forest on the west side of Cicero, and then back south down Cicero. It's all on the streets so there's plenty of room. Like pretty much every race ever, the final stretch is uphill, in this case the viaduct under the Metra tracks.
The course support was good - water stations, well staffed race day packet pick-up. Overall it was a very well executed race.
The price is on par with other 5Ks in the area ($30). You get a long-sleeve t-shirt in the goody bag and a bunch of random promotion swag from local business - pens, cups, magnets, a letter opener?. Apparently, this year you can drop another $5 for a long-sleeve dry-tech shirt which I appreciate. Dry-tech shirts get much more wear from me.
I'm planning to run again this year, and maybe even stick around for the parade or some of the restaurant/ bar open houses. read more