Other than to obtain the exclusive medal given as part of the Chicago Distance Series for…read moreparticipating in the three premier races: the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1, and the Chicago Marathon. I felt that it was time to run Shamrock Shuffle being that I have lived in the city of Chicago for ten years now and have yet to run the event. My reason for not running it in the past was because the temperatures were always a complete turnoff during the time of the event, so I avoided it! This year, I proceeded into this event with the Chicago Distance Series being my motivator to take on this 8K run.... and the possible cold temperatures! For the packet pick-up expo, we were required to pick up our bib number and t-shirt from Grant Park, which is the location of Chicago's beloved Buckingham Fountain. Thankfully, it was held inside of a tent because it was very cold outside the day I visited. Inside, the packet pick-up was congested, but not once did I stand in any long lines due to how organized everything was. And for that, I thank the volunteers very much! All that was required is that you present the QR (Quick Response) code sent in the email in order to pick up your run essentials for the event. With the uncertainty of how my legs would perform, I had to dig down going into this run being that I ran the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon the previous weekend which was a much different pace ran. I have been a runner long enough to know that as long as I am mentally strong there is not anything that can break my spirit! The morning of the event, it was Judas by Fozzy that pumped me up prior to walking out the door headed to the event. It was the perfect hype up song prior to me making my way to the starting corral because it put me in good spirits. Speaking of the corrals, they were organized based on qualifying times and estimated times provided on applications. And when the run starts, you can clearly see who put the wrong information on their application. As expected, the temperature was cold outside, but I was well-dressed in layers for the occasion. For me, the Shamrock Shuffle ushered in that feeling that my run season has officially started for the year as I waited in the starting corral counting down the minutes until the start. At the time, I took in the music being played as I either stretched, jogged in place to keep my legs warm, or eyed the other runners in the corral. The run course was relatively flat I must say with some slight incline portions on course, but with incline there is also decline so I reminded myself to just let my legs go on the decline portions. I kept reminding myself to ease my pace until I figured out what was ahead on course, specifically those slight incline portions. I am always patient in the process and take it mile by mile because I will eventually get to that finish line at some point. The course made me think of the Chicago Marathon because it takes you within the downtown Chicago area on portions of the marathon course. It was a very beautiful course, and it even had the final hill that is part of the marathon course, leading towards the finish line. Eek! So, coast that last mile and preserve your energy for that hill, if you are running this event. Even though the distance is an 8K, the Shamrock Shuffle had the spirit of a marathon with all of the supporters; some supporters even holding signs with encouragement written on them. I cannot remember any portion of the course that did not have any spectators on it which was great to see. Along the course, each mile was marked, and there were plentiful hydration stations featuring a combination of Gatorade followed by water; both were identifiable! And the volunteers working those hydration stations were very cheerful and supportive of all runners. Now as for the swag! The Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt was green with the event name written in a circular style with a clover in-between; and it fit my body frame perfectly! The finishers medal featured Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle written out in the middle with clovers underneath, and finisher on the left side and the year on the right side. I am so grateful to now add my very first Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle medal to my run medal collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running. With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, and Mercy Home Heroes t-shirt on, I took on this 8K.... and conquered it! Yes indeed, I would surely run the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K again. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k should be on every runners bucket list. I've waited a while…read moreto run this race and this year I finally got an opportunity to do it. This fun 8K (4.97 miles) usually marks the beginning of running season in Chicago. It's one of the more popular races in the city and participation at the very least, is 20K or more. I've done a number of competitive runs in my 3 years of racing and this race is perfect for runners at every level. I'd personally rate this course as easy/intermediate. This course, like many others I've done in the city, is relatively flat. There may be a few occasional slopes but it's not too short, nor is it too long. The slightly challenging part of the course for some might be taking on Roosevelt hill at the last mile. Honestly, I didn't find it to be too bad. It's a long and steady slope but if you push through it, it's manageable. Once you've crossed over the hill and made that final left turn, it's a clear path to the finish line. The strong show of support from passersby; whether it came from signage or the quick shout outs of, "Keep going, you can do it!" helped me make it through the second half. Along the way, I came across bag pipers in full regalia serenading us as we darted through the streets of downtown Chicago and its many architectural wonders. In addition to that, there was an excellent variety of music offered by DJ's along the course ranging anywhere from classic rock, the Top 40's, and the essential Chicago House music. Dress warm because temperatures in Chicago during March/April are a crapshoot. One year we can get sunny temps with comfortable highs in the 50's through 60's; other times, like this year, we saw clear skies but blistering cold winds! Your best bet is to check the weather, wear layers and gloves (when appropriate), and don't forget to wear the green! I made sure to rock my green tutu this year. Other runners pushed the envelope and wore hilarious things like horse heads. I even caught one participant in a full T-rex outfit. That was a riot! If you're curious about the cost, entry fees are cheaper if you sign up early in the fall. I signed up 4 months prior and paid roughly $45. I had to go to McCormick place to pick up my packet and it cost an additional $10 after a reduced event discount. I had some difficulty finding the McCormick garage entrance. My only suggestion for next year is to provide more signage as you arrive off the exit from I-55 or include directions in the participant packet in the days/weeks leading up to the event. This year's packet includes your racing bib, a Nike moisture wicking commemorative t-shirt, and a pair of souvenir socks. Your medal is earned upon completion of the race. Depending on your mode of transportation, you could spend an additional $5-8 for public transport or if you ride share, Divvy (bike share), or rent out a garage spot on Spot Hero, expect to spend anywhere from $10-30. If you really want to save money, your best bet is to get someone to drop you off and pick you up afterwards. Cost might be a deciding factor but the benefits totally outweigh the costs. If this is your first run, you'll be given the wonderful opportunity to run through downtown and get a grand tour of the magnificent City of Chicago. In addition to the cool swag, your entry supports a great cause and tradition which has endured for decades. If you missed out this year, next year would mark their 40th anniversary. I enjoyed participating in the 2018 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, and look forward to returning in the future.

Course is the same as almost all weeknight 5Ks in the city. Start at Soldier and run down the…read morelakeshore trail and loop back. Somehow, because the run was affiliated with the Bears, starting at Soldier, felt appropriate. Well organized event. Event was run in waves to limit the amount of congestion on the course. Descent post party activity, with post race beers. Nice Bears branded tech t-shirt.

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 race was great and you truly felt the community coming together to show their pride for…read moreHighland Park, the Firecracker 5K, and specifically S.M.I.L.E., which is a program that provides funding to help disadvantaged youth participate in activities and events that they otherwise couldn't afford. My husband is very passionate about their cause. We parked in the park parking lot and didn't have to walk very far to the building where restrooms, registration and packet pick-up were. They had race day packet pick-up, which I always appreciate when these races are so far from home. The only thing I would recommend in regards to that is having better signage since the sign and arrow for that was close to the ground and easy to miss when people stood in front of it. I made a couple circles around the event area and that building before realizing where to go to get my race bib and goody bag. The goody bag is primo, by the way. It's a high quality gear bag and I will use it for all of my races until it dies. The shirts were nice, too. I'll likely donate mine, though, since it's a bit big and I have more than enough. I prefer medals. This race was not chip timed, but they did keep track of people's times to the best of their ability. They timed me at 32:48 and my Fitbit (usually accurate within 1 second) read 32:45. This race is difficult. You start out in a field, so you're already on less than ideal ground and it only gets harder from there. The first mile has low incline, rolling hills on the paths through Sunset Woods Park and the paved streets of Highland Park. You run into some small potholes and cracks, but it's nothing to be incredibly worried about. You'll be more concerned with the steep hill you have to climb halfway through the course. The good news is that you get to go really fast down the steep hill right before it. And the rest of the race is a lot like the first mile since it overlaps a bit. The after party was fun and casual. Their A to Z Entertainment DJ was great. I didn't do well enough to place and I didn't win anything from the raffle, but I got a free snow cone. I consider that just as good.

I discovered Proud To Run after searching runguides.com for running events in the Chicago and…read moreChicagoland area during the month of June. I considered it because I support anything LGBTQ, plus I imagined that it would be a fun event to participate in with it being pride month. Out of the option to run either the 5k or 10k, I selected the 5k being that it was my preference in distance at the time. As for Proud to Run as an organization, it is staffed entirely by volunteers and donates 100% of its net revenues to mission-driven LGBTQ non-profits across Chicago. For packet pick-up, we were required to pick up our bib number and Proud to Run tank top from either Fleet Feet Old Town, or Montrose Harbor Grove 16 leading up to the event depending on the date. The hours were pretty much the same each day at Fleet Feet Old Town, but I ended up picking up my bib and tank top the day of the event at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 being that it was most suitable for me. I eased into the run with the mindset of taking it easy and using it as a training run since it has been so hot as of late in Chicago. I kept my pace within a 7:10 - 7:45 minute mile pace, with the goal of finishing the 5k in no more than 25:00 minutes. This flat course started at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 and headed along the Lakefront path slightly passed Foster Avenue Beach and back to Montrose Harbor Grove 16. Always a lovely sight is the Lakefront, which I have visited many times for training runs as well as run events. Along the course each mile was marked and there was an identifiable hydration station featuring water within it. And the volunteers working at the hydration station were enthusiastic and supportive of all participants. There were affiliates of Proud To Run near the finish line within Montrose Harbor Grove 16. After finishing the run, I just wanted to grab whatever hydration and snacks were available, relax and see what other festivities followed the event. I loved hearing about the history of the event which was organized by Peg Gray of the Gay Athletic Association, along with Rob Williams and Jim White back in 1982. Along with that and hearing more about the struggles of the LGBTQ community this year with some I am familiar with, I cherished the experience even more. Now as for the swag, I anticipated picking up the Proud To Run tank top prior to the start of the event. I quickly put it on after I picked it up minutes before the event. It was maroon with the event name written on the lower half, with the words "Love right now" inside of a heart; and it fit my body frame perfectly! The cute medal given once I crossed the finish line featured a moveable heart with birds on each side and the event name on the lower half; the color of it matched the tank top. As a memory of the event, I am grateful to add the medal to my collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running. With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, a sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, I took on Proud To Run 5k.... and conquered it! As a supporter of LGBTQ, I would surely run Proud To Run again in time. Any event that brings individuals together of different ethnic backgrounds, gender, and age groups I am all for it! Thank you very much, Proud to Run Chicago. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

This year was my second year running Proud to Run. Last year I ran the 5k, and this year I ran the…read more10k. I'm already planning to run the race again next year, because it is one of my favorite things about Chicago's Pride celebration. Proud to Run is awesome for a lot of reasons. It has been part of Chicago's Pride activities since 1982, and everyone is invited to come out to run and celebrate, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. In addition to celebrating pride, the race raises funds for local LGBT organizations. This year's beneficiaries were Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, and Chicago House. With race entries getting more expensive every year regardless of distance, I'm always more willing to hand over my money when I know the money is going to a good cause. And, in order to keep as much of the money as possible going to the chosen charities every year, Proud to Run is organized by an all volunteer, community based board of directors. How great is that? Even with it being all volunteer led, the race is extremely well organized. Online registration is quick and simple, and there is always plenty of information about the race available at the website and email reminders sent leading up to race day. There are also plenty of packet pick up opportunities, with five different advance packet pick up dates offered this year, in addition to race day packet pick up. The course is pretty standard, starting at Montrose Harbor and winding through the park, utilizing the Lake Front Trail. The course this year was well marked and easy to follow, with volunteers stationed at any turns to make sure that racers went in the right direction. All of the volunteers, from packet pick up, to water stations, to those just making sure folks know where to turn on the course, were lovely. These were some of the best and happiest race volunteers I've ever seen! As I mentioned, I ran the 5k last year and the 10k this year. I love that there are two distances to choose from, giving more people an opportunity to participate. I have friends who aren't interested in a 10k, but they will run a 5k, so we can all run our chosen distance and then meet back up after the race. The 10k starts about 10 minutes before the 5k, allowing a little extra time for 10k runners and keeping the course a little less crowded for everyone. Every runner gets a medal once you cross the finish line (sorry, but I love some race bling!) and various post race goodies (bagels, fruit, water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, etc.). There are prizes for the top finishers for each distance, as well as a pretty sweet raffle after the race with prizes from various local business, including Universal Sole. Just be aware that you must be present to win raffle prizes, so if your bib number is called and you are not there, then a new winner is selected. So stick around for the post race entertainment!

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.

Since so many people on our ride asked, puzzled, "What is this? Is it a race? Is it Critical Mass?…read moreWhat's going on?" I figured that writing a review for this great active event was only appropriate. Now, you won't have any excuse to miss the 2014 edition!! I feel that during most active/sporting events, no matter how well organized they can be, there's always something to complain about. Well, not this time. From beginning to end, it was flawless! Easy online registration (yeah, there are these annoying fees, but what can you do about it? To make it all better, I highly recommend to make a quick search about coupons. Whatever you buy online, there's a coupon for it. Most of the time. This time, I snatched a $10 off on each registration. Yay me), convenient pick up times, great directions, map, tee-shirt. And an awesome urban adventure. Here's the deal: you choose a distance. 12, 22, 35 or 62 miles.They select four different food providers. And you stop along the way for water (ice cold!!!!), food and bathroom breaks, for however long you want. You are given a map to follow but there's also excellent marking on the street. I was so impressed by the work they put into it!! It's (almost) impossible to get lost. Volunteers ride along the way with you to assure a smooth day, and you just have to enjoy the vista. This year took us all on the North Side, and we discovered great hidden gems along the way such as the Alta Vista Terrace District within a stone-throw distance from Wrigley Field, to the Indian Boundary Park in West Rogers Park and the actual Rogers Park itself, from the North Shore Channel Trail to off the beaten path streets lined with beautiful mansions and bungalows. What a glorious city Chicago is, and what little of it most of us know. My group of friends and I did the 35 miler, and had a great time. It was plenty enough for us, but not so much that we were dead at the end of it. Cannot recommend it strongly enough! Words of wisdom: - wear padded shorts, it will make the whole thing way more comfortable (REI sells pretty affordable ones) - bring a water bottle; the stops are far and in between and if it's hot out, you'll want to chug water on a regular basis - wear your helmet! - visit the ATA (Active Transportation Alliance) website http://www.activetrans.org/ for more information on the event in particular, and biking in Chicago in general - have fun!

I'm hoping that this can become a biannual event, because partaking in this years version of Active…read moreTransportation Alliance's big showcase was a day I will remember for a long time. The levels of organization and friendliness offered by the ATA and their group of volunteers was remarkable and had me beaming positive vibes all ride long. In my own words, ATA is set up as a nonprofit which advocates for people of all backgrounds to have access to more options to get around the Chicago metro area that are affordable, safe and accessible. This particular event not only introduced "newbies" to their mission, but got around 3,000 people out as examples of that mission to the rest of the city. On at least three occasions I was asked (while stopped at red lights) what we were out on the ride for, which is to say their next event will probably involve more than 3,000 riders. A very good thing, in my opinion! As for the details of the rides- you have your choice on how to participate. With four distances (12, 22, 35 and 62 mile options), you can find one to your liking. All were incredibly well-marked with volunteers scattered about to direct people on the correct path, as well as easily identifiable markers spray painted on the streets (if you were like us and didn't have a nifty map holder installed onto your bike). An overwhelmingly large portion of our ride (the 35 miler) took place on streets with either delineated bike lanes, or the segregated and buffered kind (along Dearborn going through the loop). With groups leaving in waves, there was plenty of space to go at your own pace pretty quickly upon the start of the ride, but not get too spaced out where you didn't feel like you were part of a group of riders out to do a trek. It helped that the weather was nice (mid-70s going up to the low-80s), but in all honesty, I think we would have enjoyed this event even if the weather was bad. With stations set up throughout pretty evenly for restrooms, water and the eventual snack stations - the "chow" portion, if you will - there was ample amount of ride space without pushing people too hard. Active Transportation Alliance- good on you all for putting together such a friendly, comfortable, and visual event showing off a portion of your mission to the rest of the city (well, at least this time- most of the north side). The hard work put forth by the volunteers and coordinators was evident in just how smooth and wonderful the ride and the event was. Oh, and the snacks were great! I look forward to going back to each of the vendors in the near future to enjoy their food again. Any chance you all can make this biannual? Spring ride and early-Autumn ride?

This Review is for the New Year's Eve Run & Walk 5K-December 31. 2021=for January 1, 2022~ Yay!…read more 5K Walk and Run for ADULTS ONLY! THE RACE STARTED THIS YEAR AT 9am! (Obviously-there was a short staggering for those more experienced runners)-but from the Mindful Walkers Corral B- it was a short time...after they left! Small Number of People Participating- But still maybe from looking at the bibs only under 600 people. (FYI-Only confirming from Bibs that I witnessed) Finish at The Theater on The Lake...ends with a glass of Champagne (or other adult drink options sponsored by their Sponsors-Tito's Vodka, Corona Beer, etc.) and a Finisher's Medal! Plus the "usual" Bananas, Apples, Gatorade, Water, etc. +They offer small breakfast options for purchase that are reasonable. ALSO-the venue offers outdoor and indoor options for seating to enjoy the lakeside view of Lake Michigan. LOVED THIS 5K/RUN and WALK- Why- (as I think of them not in Chronological Order-sorry!?) 1. They separate the faster more experienced runners from those that are walking "Mindfully!" 2. Great Music all the way through! From Start to Finish! 3. Great location at the Theater on The Lake-Bathrooms, etc. 4. The Course at this point in time allows individuals to see things differently- *BIrd Nests in the Trees (without leaves)/Sculptures/Architecture, etc *The Water Stops! 2x along the way on the RUN *They Announce Each Individual's Name at the end of the Run=STELLAR FYI-It appears that there were only 500-600 Runners=Good Space Time-Especially with Covid-and in the future.. About the Neighborhood- * There are soooo many things I never knew about this neighborhood- Like:-Golf Driving Ranges, Small Restaurants, Serious Gym Areas for People in the Public Parks...many places to walk dogs...AIDS PARK BEING BUILT, access to stadium sitting along the water, among other options. I highly Recommend a Walk in the Neighborhood)...even if you are NOT interested in the race. But there is a beautiful history of Chicago too- -The Lamp Posts -The Building Architecture -The Good Food-that is now Global! Many Things....very mindful for those of us who are NOT COMPETITIVE..but a true arena for ALL of US to be Successful! AFTER THE FINISHING LINE- * Your Name is Announced * You are entitled to a Mimosa, Hard Seltzer, Corona, Tito Bloody Mary and other drinks at the Bar *After Race Treats-Bananas,Apples, Protein Drinks, Bottled Water... *Free Pick-Up From Gear Check ALSO BREAKFAST IF YOU WANT TO STAY AND HANG OUT (you have to pay for the breakfast!)=but under $10.00! FYI-According to the MC-This was an amazing year "weatherwise"-42 degrees-the sun came out and most of the participants were wearing puffy vests, sweatshirts and leggings! WILL DO IT NEXT YEAR IN A HEARTBEAT- From the Pickup (At Lululemon-North Avenue Chicago) to the Finish=STELLAR! It appears to be all about ADULTS who want a chance to run/walk and enjoy this amazing part of our city=Lake Michigan and Chicago views...and positive attitudes! And Local Sponsors are willing to MAKE IT HAPPEN! THANK YOU! -