Ears frozen, noses dripping, hands blue…read more Smal price to pay for hot cocoa and sinfully fudgey brownies after a 3.1 mile run through Danada's Forest Preserve. This race is sponsored by Dick Pond's, an amazing local business fitting suburban runners with the right kicks. My husband and I frequent the St. Charles location when we're looking for individualized attention for new running shoes & to pick up our favorite Balega socks. On one of those trips is when I happend to pick up the flier for the Cocoa 5K. Perfect for us since my husband hates driving so early all the way into the city for races and also since we'd be out of town for this year's Hot Chocolate 5K. This race is a great alternative for suburban dwellers not willing to make the trek to the city. Stats: -online registration $39 -chip timed -warmest, softest, zip fleece jacket (runs a little big for women, short for men) -hot cocoa and fudge brownies after the race (I appreciated that they didn't over do it with the chocolate) -completely flat course that starts out on a grassy race track with the majority of the course on a soft crushed limestone path -out & back course so beware of bottlenecks!

I love Dick Pond and go there for all my running shoe needs. You should definitely check them out…read moreif you want great personal customer service when looking for the perfect shoes to run in. However, this was about my tenth race and probably the worst I've ever ran. It was so congested I had to walk the first 1/4 mile after crossing the start line. It was advertised as a Run/Walk and I have no problems with walkers, but walkers were walking in the middle of the path, not to the side like they should to let faster people go through. There were times at the beginning were I was literally stuck and could not pass. There were also people with strollers in the middle of the path. Most of these things are not the organizers' fault, just poor judgement and lack of experience from the people running, but it made for a terrible race experience for me. The fleece jackets and hot chocolate were great, and I personally thought the weather was perfect (I like cooler race weather). It started on grass, which was interesting, and turned into a path which is my favorite to run on and easy on the knees. I'd recommend you move toward the front to avoid the bottleneck if you do this race.

It's great running the SF10 after a two year hiatus. What a great way to start off the holiday…read moreweekend. This year, a 10k was offered along with the 10 miler. I did the 10k and had a similar experience (and medal) as if I had done the 10 miler :-). The best part of finishing in Soldier Field. Great job to the event organizers and volunteers! It was an amazing Saturday morning and perfect for the run.

Fantastic event! So wonderfully organized! Hope to experience this again! Perfect way to honor…read moreyour veterans!

Except for a year in Florida, I've lived all of my life in Chicago and today was the first time I'd…read moreever set foot in the city/town of Riverside. This may very well be the best kept secret in Chicagoland. Well, it has been for me, anyway. A few fellow Yelp runners and I were looking for a centrally located race where we could all meet and run together for the first time. For some, this was their first organized race EVER! This Riverside event was the first one suggested and after checking out the website, we all agreed it would be perfect. It all started with the price. Only $25 for registration, which included electronic timing, bib and free T-shirt (VERY nice, by the way). An early start (7:30AM) ensured the temperature will be cooler than the predicted high for the day, and the tree lined streets on the route insured it would stay that way. Plenty of winding curves along the way kept us focused on our pace and ample water stations kept everyone well hydrated. Heck, even a few of the residents were out with their hoses spraying us down as we ran by. A very welcome gesture, to be sure! But for me, the best part of this race was the plethora of incredibly stunning homes that lined the course...each one, more beautiful than the last. I think I spent so much time in awe of the architecture and gardens here that the race was over before I knew it, much to my chagrin. After meeting up when our last member crossed the finish line, it seemed we all had the same experience and will definitely be back next year to do it again. Who knows? Maybe even sooner just for a visit! It's hard to imagine another 5K in Chicagoland that's better that the Riverside Independence Day run. This one is sure going to be tough to beat...but I'll keep looking!

The 4th of July 5K in Riverside is my favorite. So far, I have ran it two years (2013 and 2014) and…read moreI plan to run it every year as long as I'm a resident of this lovely town. Race goodie bags are generally pretty good, including items like lip balm and a voucher for a free frapp from McDonalds. Last year, I got a really great coupon that got me $20 a purchase from Sports Authority for items I needed to purchase anyway (biking shorts and a triathlon waterproof watch), so entry into the race practically paid for itself. Every year, the moisture-wicking t-shirts are of high quality. If you're small like me (5'2", 105-110 lbs), I recommend choosing the youth large size shirt. Last year someone else picked up my packet + t-shirt in too big of a size. The volunteers were awesome about letting me exchange for a different size. The course is scenic. You get to run through beautiful Riverside, which has a number of stunning Victorian homes. The course brings you on winding roads, which are characteristic of the architecture of this town (the first planned community)! There are always people sitting in lawn chairs (waiting for the parade) who cheer on runners, which will help you get through it. There are runners of all ages, shapes, and sizes. A decent number of runners with jogging strollers go through every year, which I think is great! For the end, be sure that you're running over the proper finish line. Some people get confused and think they've finished. Watch carefully for signs. There should also be volunteers guiding you to be sure you make it to the finish. Upon finishing, find your supporters in the crowd, eat a bagel and some Gatorade, and stick around for the 4th of July parade and Guthrie Park festivities that will immediately follow!

I was inspired to get into running after I saw that movie about that mentally-handicapped guy who…read moreran really fast and ended up joining the football team. You know, Rudy? But when it comes to RAM Racing, you could say I have a love-hate relationship (similar to when I dated that bi-polar woman). I'm happy to say they got this race right, though. Packet-pickup was at the event, held right next to Soldier Field. They even changed the event name (formerly "Terrapin 5k"), joining a long list people enjoying success after a name change (e.g. Christopher Kutcher, Elizabeth Fey, Osama Seacrest). For participating, you got a long-sleeved shirt with the race's slogan, "Run, Rock, Relax," but it was obvious that people were taking it easy. Many drank their free beer before the race, thus carrying on a tradition of athletic events in/around Soldier Field where people were just there to have fun and couldn't care less about the outcome. Of course, the notable difference is this athletic event wasn't a Chicago Bears game and these people weren't the Chicago Bears. The race is divided into corrals. Corral "A" is where you find all those folks who put stickers like "26.2" on their cars' back wind-shields. Even though I ran in corral A, they were sold out of those stickers when I went to the store. Luckily the store had a few "Total Douche" stickers still in stock. If you're not a runner, corrals go all the way back to "L", where we are reminded that it is difficult to get a second wind when you never experience a first one. The race around Museum Campus and back to the stadium is easy enough, and at the end, you receive corn and a hamburger, served to you on a Frisbee. Man, that took me back to college, and the farcical lengths people went to save money on plates. Also, it reminded me how much I hated eating at our cafeteria. The "Rock" part of the race is the post-race band, "Big Head Todd and the Monsters." The event offered a $25 entrance fee for those people who were only there for the after-party, which I thought was good. It would have been unfair to make Big Head Todd and his monsters pay the full fee considering they didn't even run. I'm sure the band was not accustomed to playing in front of so many in desperate need of a shower, but at least now they'll be ready for those gigs at retirement homes or in eastern Europe.

This is a great race that visit some of the great west side parks that are [art of the Chicago…read moreBoulevard system. Much of the race runs along these boulevards visiting Humbolt, Garfield and Douglas Park. This is a different view than the Chicago Marathon. The 13.1 race has improved since its first running. It was great to see Carey Pinkowski starting us on and cheering a little before the half way mark. In 2025 it was great to see Ted Metellus in the finish line VIP area after he ran the race. The start was well organized and there was no trouble with crowding. The signage was a little misleading making you take a roundabout way of getting to the bag drop. Found water stations plentiful, course easy to follow and crowd and runner support great. The postrace activities were better than the Chicago Marathon's. The music and the party were great. The only trouble I had this year was not signing up before they closed the registration. I think it closed early because many signed up for the benefit of completing the distance classic and guaranteeing a Chicago Marathon bib the following year. It would be nice to allow bibs to Chicago marathon legacy runners.

I just had to register for Bank of America Chicago 13.1 being that the start/ finish line is in my…read moreneighborhood. In time we will see how much this event grows but the opportunity to run this inaugural event was hard to pass up. The course also runs through some of the parks on Chicago's West Side that I am very familiar with like Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Douglass Park. The health & wellness expo was held within the Roosevelt Collection Shops, a beautiful location in the south loop of Chicago. The expo was very organized with the main stations highlighted. With it being organized, it did not appear too congested in the process. The volunteers were very helpful and kind at this expo. Packet pick-up went smooth after I identified the corral letter sent via email. After that, I went to the booth section with that particular letter to pick-up my shirt and bib number. Prior to the day of the run, I smiled every time I looked at the t-shirt because it reminded me that this is an inaugural event. Running an inaugural event is something that nobody can take away from you. Starting in Garfield Park, the course ran through Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Lawndale neighborhoods. My favorite highlights along the course were of course seeing the Garfield Park Fieldhouse, running through a peaceful Humboldt Park, and seeing locals on their porches waving. I adored the older women nearby Garfield Park on their porches waving, cheering, and greeting us with "Good morning!" as we ran towards Lawndale neighborhood. It is a memory of this event that I will always remember and cherish. There were a decent number of spectators and supporters along the course. Most were there to cheer on their supported runner whether it be friends, family, or runners' part of their particular running club which were mostly from either Three Run Two, or Chicago Road Runners. The majority of the course was flat with a slight decline and incline mostly within the viaducts along the course, but nothing too excruciating. I have to say the rough parts for me where the mental games started were from mile 8 to 12. There was a lack of spectators in the majority of the area plus I felt a nagging pain in my left ankle at the time. The course had enough medical personnel and police officers along it. There were also plentiful water stations with a combination of Nuun Hydration followed by water! And both were identifiable! It warmed my heart seeing the 'Biofreeze' set-up along the course which I just had to run through; running through it helped ease the pain I felt in my left ankle. I would definitely run Bank of America Chicago 13.1 again because its presence brings positivity to Chicago's West Side, plus, I would love to see and be part of the event's growth in time. ~Blessings~   Thomas G

Nice medium sized fall marathon in the Chicago area. (There is a half and full marathon…read moreaffiliated with this event.) Race is well supported. Course is pretty flat with a few minor hills. Marathon is fairly expensive at north of $100. Nice long sleeve tech t shirt comes with registering. Nice finishers medal. Beer for all finishers. If you don't get into Chicago, this is not a bad alternate race. Note: Comments based on 2014 race.

One of the best experiences to kick off the end of summer!…read moreThe event was very well organized. It was a Chi -Lite Wonderland. Before the race started, it consisted of the event MC throwing glow-neon merchandise (mohawks & glasses ) into the crowd and sporadically tossing glow sticks. There was a count down before the race started and we were released into several groups and not all at once, which was smart in avoiding a horrid stampede. There were swarms of bubbles, neon paint being splashed on the runners by other random runners. There were check-in points along the race to rehydrate with water & bottled Rockstar gatorade. The drinking cups matched the shirts of the servers. The creative aspect of the event was phenomenal. Umbrellas hanging upside down from the ceiling that were lighted with neon bright lights combined with a water pond of colored lights! The price ticket was $44 ( including taxes etc) Great deal. There were picture booths to capture the moment as well. Ending the race with a rave was perfect. I saved the majority of my energy for the end. At one point, the DJ stated that the Fire Marshal wanted to end the rave earlier than the crowd anticipated but I guess that crowd wasn't "having any of that" so the party continued and lasted a bit longer.

It's a glow-mob mentality! (Yup, heard it, don't care. :-P ) Fantastic event! I hope to do this one…read moreevery year as a sort of end-of-running season finale. It was just so fun! Yes, the $50 price tag is a little steep, but the payoff IMO is well worth it. Consider that you are usually paying $25-$40 for any other walk/run registration, & with this one, the $50 gets you an awesome DJ, music & laser light show- plus funky glow shades, an LED bracelet (required for entrance), and a cute & cooler than most Electric Run t-shirt. Register early. Pricing is date/tier structured. I paid $40 or $45, it went up to $60-$65. There's a diverse crowd, all ages, all strengths, set your own pace. I'd say skip all their overpriced glow/light up accessories. Instead, stock up on your own from party stores, dollar stores & Halloween stores. However, test the glow-in-the-dark makeups before the event, as the gel I bought from a party store was supposed to glow & glitter, but didn't. Try to get glow accessories that require very little assembly! LOL We spent about 45 minutes at the event trying to "break" the sticks & putting our stuff together! We never even stretched, ran out of time. Battery-operated has a nice ring to it! I'm going to start searching for inexpensive items now for next year- & those you can use again, as traditional glow sticks, you can't. Invest! :) I want to do this event every year! This is not a bib/chip-timed event. It's much more of an experience. People are encouraged to dance, & to stop & look at & take your own pics at all the displays along the way. There are some really great photo ops, believe me. Packet pickup is the day prior (or race day- and I saw no long lines for it race day, FYI, thowe were told there would probably be), & no check-in or corral assignments. You just show up with the required bib & LED wristband & line up at will. Easy. The course is pretty well laid out, with only a couple areas where I felt like a hamster on a wheel, like the part where where it was a big parking lot & we were mazing repeatedly thru as if we were waiting in line at an amusement park. But the majority was more well-thought out & the views were spectacular! My favorites by far were all the green & purple lit paper lanterns in the trees, & walking under the "rain of light" canopy, as I like to call it. Side note: how can I incorporate this in my master bedroom?? I did have some anxiety- hi, have we met? I prefer to walk/jog/run on smooth surfaces. I do not like potholes, cracks, puddles, curbs, gravel, sand, mud, quicksand, time-warps, vortexes or the like! (Well, let's be honest; who doesn't like the Time Warp...it's just a step to the right...) Thankfully, this course was very good for the most part. There were, however, places where it was almost complete darkness, but still lots of people. It's a little unnerving not to be able to see the ground in front of you, but I seemed to be the only one acting like I needed to press the call button at an assisted-living facility, so I'm pretty sure I was in the minority. Plus, the hydration tables were awesomely stocked with glow cups of water, but as usual they just get thrown on the ground (why are there never trash cans??), so you have to be careful not to trip or slip there-- & organizers, how bout we don't choose an area going down hill when there's water & objects on the ground in an almost pitch-black tunnel? Just sayin'! I have one major & one minor complaint, & here's where ER lost a star. MINOR: The after party was inside which was fine, but it was HOT & stuffy. Bring in some fans. I think they sell them at Target. MAJOR: the ridiculously long, slow & understaffed lines for drinks at the party. This event attended by 10,000 people was sponsored by Southern Comfort, & we were all set to do a little drinking. WHERE were the BARTENDERS?? I am not exaggerating when I say there were 2 lines with one bartender each. Lines extended across the width of the great hall we were in. That line...did. not. move. Remember when Grandpa Morty bar tended your cousin's wedding reception? Yeah, it was like that. They really lost out here on so much money. A lot of people, my party included, skipped it. I'm pretty patient with most things- que sera sera, right, but we didn't want to stand in those lines when we could've been dancing. Next time, ima bring a flask. Haha Don't, they do search your bag. (Speaking of that, there is no bag/gear check, so pack light. So much easier not to be carrying anything.) I have really enjoyed the 5/8K's this spring and summer. I have never enjoyed an after-race more than this one! There is nothing quite as fantastic as you nearing the finish line to see the show/lights/crowd in the slight distance waiting for you. I felt like I was entering the party at Zion in The Matrix! Lol And I only picked up a mild contact high, just for a sec, & then my dancing frenzy resumed... increased...enhanced...improved? Well, anyway, it was super fun!

This race was awesome! Just ran it this morning, 6miles took me 1hr & 15min. The course was through…read morea prairie and a farm. Excellent views & obstacles, will definitely do it again! A+!!

This race is Amazing! To date I have done 15+ 5Ks of all ranges, courses, causes etc. This one was…read morehands down the BEST. I literally can not say enough good things about it, we had zero complaints. It was easy to get to, the directions they had on the website were better then what came up on the GPS. Parking was FREE and there was plenty of spots available. Packet pick up was a breeze, no wait time. Our goodie bag was great. There was plenty to do while we waited for our start time. The course was challenging but not unbearable. First mile was mostly a fast run with a mud pit and a few other obstacles. Second mile was a bit rough, the hills were tough. Third mile just looped around really. Obstacles were everything they should be, challenging but FUN! The end was the best part, giant pool followed by a giant mud pit, then the finish line. The athlete refreshers were perfect for after the race: granola bars, banana, fruit snacks and water. There was a Monster tent handing out drinks, the Subaru swag tent had reusable ice packs for you to take home. The absolute best part was the "car wash" and hoses they had set up for you to clean off all the mud. Paul Mitchell was one of the sponsors, they had gallons of shampoo out by the hoses for people to use, it was perfect. I have been to mud runs before where they had a water tank truck with a guy holding a hose and one person at a time got to rinse off. This was the best set up I have ever seen. It was also a family oriented event. Lots of stuff to do to keep the kids entertained including a kid mud run. I would highly, HIGHLY recommend doing this run. We will be returning next year without a doubt.