Very impressed with this race. It is a small, neighborhood race. I was surprised it wasn't a bigger…read moredeal in La Grange. It was a beautiful Friday night and was held within walking distance of Lyons high school. Two things were particularly impressive about the race: 1) It was a pretty route, all through the neighborhoods in La Grange and 2) so many kid bands were playing along the route. There was more rock bands than the Rock N' Roll Half Marathon downtown! I can't believe there are so many talented kids in La Grange. It must be a big thing in this community. Very impressed and is being added to my "must do" roster of race events each year!

Similar to a previous review, the pre-race communication is lacking. I registered using a Black…read moreMonday code. I selected a packet pick-up date that I forgot to put in my calendar. I totally forgot about packet pick-up leading up to the race until I coincidentally saw something on Instagram about the last chance for packet pick-up the day before the race. No reminder email about packet pick-up...just a random chance of checking Instagram having not used Instagram in many years. Mind you they charge you if you have to do race day pick-up after missing the previous pick-up chances. The race itself has drastically declined ever since the founders left the race group. The founders were eager to improve and ensure an excellent race experience. The current group does not care. No post-race survey to fix the low hanging fruit issues. The noticeable difference with the race itself is the finish line. Finishers hang out right at the finish line so you finish and run into runners and spectators blocking the area just over the finish line. That is a safety issue especially since the temps were well below freezing so couldn't see if people spilled water. The is also incredibly inconsiderate to block the finish chute after running a half marathon into a headwind. The last thing I want to do is have to navigate through a crowd to get water or my medal. The race course itself is the usual lakefront course with spectators blocking the path at multiple spots and at least one car driving on the lakefront path during the race. Not only was packet pick-up nearly missed, but I selected the Fleet Feet gift card in lieu of a shirt during registration. They ran out of gift cards at packed pick-up. They were supposed to mail me the gift card after the race. Packet pick-up was on Jan. 30 and race on Jan. 31. I emailed on Mar. 5 saying I never received my gift card. I emailed again on May 11 saying I still have not received a gift card. Finally, I received an email on Jun 5. saying the gift cards were mailed out. I received the gift card early last week. I opened the envelop yesterday on Jul. 1 and find out the gift card was valid 1/1/2026-6/30/2026. Them emailing me on Jun. 5 was their reasoning of giving me a heads up about the expiration date. To their credit, the race group did respond to emails every time I pointed out their failed promise. However, 4.5 months later to resolve an issue of their own doing is pathetic. I was given a discount code for the next year's race so kudos for them, but I had already decided that last year was my last F^3 race. The race is not worth me spending any money on. Compared to my first F^3 Lakefront Half in 2014 at Montrose Beach exposed to the Polar Vortex, this race and race group have really gone downhill. There are many other races in Chicago that offer a better overall racing experience so run this race at your own discretion or at least set the bar very low for your expectations.

I ran this race a few times before Covid and it always was a unique and fun one. For the 2022…read moreedition, F^3 was a slap in the face. They were sending out race emails BCC'd (instead of paying for a trusted sending service) so everything went to spam. The only important email that went through, on 1/21, provided 24 hours notice for the last Chicago city packet pickup. However, the more important detail shared turned out to be that the event would be 100% outside with no use of the United Club: "We will be conducting the race outside this year. After consulting with our medical director and team, we will not be using the indoor United Club in an effort to mitigate COVID risk during a time of high community spread. We furthermore will recommend face coverings while in corral areas." Despite how massive of a convenience this was, organizers seemed incapable of communicating in a timely fashion on Facebook or on the race website. I perceived this as a sly way of minimizing blowback. My position is that if the organizers didn't have to completely eat the fee for canceling the United Club week-of, they should have credited some portion of entry fees for those who wanted to run the next year. That would be in an ideal world though. In this world, the next "Race is On!" email participants received was telling us to take public transportation to the race and to gather at a bar after the race. So much for those doctor's recommendations! When complaining about this online, someone in the Chicago running community mentioned that this "independent" organization was actually bought out by some national group or private equity firm years and years ago but continues to hold on to the "independent" branding. I've been unable to verify it, but, man, being a distance runner during Covid was a frosty experience.

Great race! Not very big, but put on well, for it being a neighborhood race. The course route was…read morevery well marked, with mile markers, and cones along the way. Edgewater 5k, is one of those races that attracts members in the neighborhood; some surrounding. Majority of the runners were elementary students, that attend the neighborhood schools in the Edgewater neighborhood. Some of the older runners were former students, or teachers at Edgewater schools What interested me about this event, was that some of the proceeds benefited the local schools; which ever one you chose to donate to. No, I'm not a former student of any of the schools, but i do attend church at Swift Elementary, which is one of the schools that participated in the race. I've also volunteered at Swift Elementary, so I felt the need to support Swift. Lots of post run food at the finish: bananas, pancakes, water, etc. ATHLETICO, was even on site, giving out massages to finishers which was great. Overall this event was great, and I look forward to running it again in the future. Enjoy, if you are considering this event in the future.

Amazing course!…read more Amazing concept (running past twirling hippies, hell yeah son!) AMAZING gear check (other races need to take a note on how quick and efficient the volunteers at this race are... STELLAR!) A free Magic Hat beer? Why thank you! A slice of Home Run Inn pizza (you might want to wait a little while after running to eat this or it'll sit like a rock in your stomach...) An awesome band (Mr. Blotto played here for the 2011 Terrapin) Amazing staff, seriously just so f'n nice! Even if I tried, I can't find one bad thing to say about the Terrapin... Excellent race RAM... p.s. Ladies, the *shirts* (not jackets) that RAM orders are a bit on the big size so go one size down for a better fit. (this is for all RAM races, not just Terrapin)

I had to review this because there were a few "thumbs-down" moments. First, it would be nice if…read morethere was a packet pickup location in the Loop. The location/time for pick-up was not convenient. Second, the Home Run Inn pizza was LOUSY. Literally tasted like the cardboard it was served in. (Didn't stop me from having more than one piece though). Third, no banana and/or bagel tent? Thought that was a given at any race. Fourth, no race results kiosk? Also, thought to be a given. Fifth, beer tent lines were ridiculous. Set up more than two tents if you can. Last but not least, DRI-FIT shirts are a must. 100% polyester running shirt? Thumbs down. I'd pay the extra $5 for a better shirt. The course, location and band were fantastic. Parking was also readily available. Despite my review, I will run this next year. Hopefully, these comments will be taken into some consideration.

The Race That's Good For Life 5K was hosted by the Oak Park Runners Club to benefit CARA (Chicago…read moreArea Runner's Association), a non-profit organization that enables local area runners. The race was recently voted the best and fastest in the Chicagoland area. I do agree that it could be the fastest, because I did my best race-time so far. I do not know if I agree that it was the best race I've participated it. However, it wasn't horrible either. It had good and bad things. Pros: Parking was found nearby. Packet pick-up was easy (even if the girl looked at my like I was confused when I said my last name that could also be a first name). Around this time of year the weather is a bit more cooperative. Except for one "hill", the course is completely flat. There was water at the mile marker and water/Gatorade at the finish. Chip timing is used and there are clocks at the 1mi, 2mi and finish line (There might have been one at the 3mi, but I forget). People were handing out roses to racers at the end. Cons: I personally found the scenery to be a little bland since it is down residential streets. The first mile had a significant amount of cracks in the pavement, which made running a bit uneven and hard on the ankles. Despite gear check being associated with the number on your bib, the girl wrote 667 when I was 66, so it took way longer than it needed to for them to find my gear among the piles of bags. Nothing really caught my eye to make me stay afterward and I pretty much left as soon as the race was over. Pro/Con: Separate races for women, men, mother-daughter, father-son and youth. I think that was a pro because it kept the course pretty open. It might be seen as a con for others. All in all, it was a good race and I would encourage people to try it and support a great cause.

There are lots of things to love about this race. There is literally something for everyone…read more Men's and women's races, a kids race, mother/daughter & father/son competitions, a junior jog and even Athena/Clydesdale divisions for those who want to give it a go. And if you don't run, there's a walk too. I have never run a race where they have separated the men and the women but it turned out to be great. The course was wide open the entire way (even at the start) and the flower they give to the women at the end is a really nice touch. Overall, I thought that the course was great. Almost completely flat with lots of people from the neighborhood cheering you on from their homes. Along with the great weather we happened to have this year, it was a perfect combination for a PR. I thought that the organization was pretty good. There was plenty of room to move around in the high school before and after the race, even with packet pick up and vendors located in the same area. I also really liked that they had real restrooms open for all to use instead of porta potties. After the race, there were plenty of snacks and beverages too. My only gripe was with the junior jog. It was a total cluster. We chose this event because our 4 year old wanted to run in a race. He was so excited until it came time to start. There was just a mob of kids and parents outside of the cafeteria with very little organization. It was difficult to hear announcements and lots of kids got knocked down due to the cramped out and back course on the same sidewalk. I have heard that they're working on improvements for next year. I really hope so because I'm sad that this was our little guy's first impression of what a race is like. It was nice that they gave out a finisher's ribbon, though. All in all, it was a good experience. The race is easily accessible by the green line but if you drive there is plenty of parking in the area, most likely due to the staggered start of all of the events. One tip, though, since there are so many opportunities to win awards, the awards reception is quite long and a little chaotic. They do post results almost immediately after the race so it may be best to look to see where you stand before sitting through the madness if you think you may have won something.

This year, 2026, the Cinco de Miler 5 mile race moved to Union Park. I absolutely loved this move…read more It has historically been at Montrose Harbor, but the new route was amazing and showed off a neighborhood rarely seen during popular Chicago races. I would argue that the parking was better here, as it can be a bit of a cluster now with the parking gates newly installed at the harbor. You just have to find street parking and walk on over. I loved that we ran by popular restaurants, the corridor of murals and ended in a park that is centralized in the city. The burritos were fantastic this year. Stuffed and fresh (it's a breakfast burrito, so it's egg and potato), you throw a little of the Cholula hot sauce packets they give you and it's GREAT. They give you a little cup of horchata too. I have to say, this year's race rekindled my love for the Cinco de Miler.

First tee hosted a holiday bbq and information in greater Chicago area. We stopped by and the…read morefamily had a great time! Food, games, horseback riding, and fellowship. This event was top notch and free. We are so thankful we stopped by and enjoyed the activities. I also shared their program information to friends and family looking for lessons in the area. They have scholarships, lessons and much more to check them out. Some opportunities available in Pebble Beach, Atlanta, Minnesota, Naples, and Montana.

I have never done an indoor race before, so that was something new and I'm all about expanding your…read moreexperiences. It was definitely better to run in controlled conditions than have to worry abour rain, sleet or snow in an unpredictable February (even though it ended up being 45 degrees and sunny). They did a really good job organizing everything. I found Check-In relatively easily and was directed to Gear Check. The lines moved quickly and I was at the Start Pens (12min+ I'm ashamed to admit). They let each Pen approach the Starting Line every two minutes and sounded the horn. It definitely helped keep people from stampeding and made the Course less congested. I was a big fan of the victory bananas and Smart Water. Can't say that I liked the Powerade (I'm a Vitamin Water Zero girl). I also didn't like the Gear Check Volunteer snapping at my friend's friend to "cover up [her] number!" when she asked her number (clearly printed on our bibs) and was told she already had her bag. Overall, I think it was run pretty well and will get better with a few improvements. It was their first year. I might do it next year if they bring it back, but I personally didn't like how it felt like a maze with all the winding between the North and South Buildings. I hated that you could see almost the entire Course. That's mostly because I kept seeing how much was left to run and all I could think was, "I'm glad a cardiovascular organization is running this because I might have a heart attack."

Not particularly well organized event (wasn't exactly easy to figure out where you needed to go for…read morethe race in McCormick when you were there). Course has many turns (as you would anticipate in an indoor race), and when running with the large group of entrants, log jams occurred at many of the turns. Nice to get out of the house in the winter and do something physical, but I would probably look for something else besides this event to do. Note: Writing my review for 2014 event.