I really liked this race and I'm looking forward to hopefully running it again next year. 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. read more

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I did this run for the first time today. It reminded me a lot of the Bucktown 5K. This was a really nice 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! read more

I think this race is beautiful. The gorgeous Victorians along Hermitage, the blossoming trees along Sunnyside, the passing through Lincoln Square, and the free cinnamon buns from Ann Sather's at the finish. Yes, it's only a 5k and the calories in that bun are prolly more that what I just burned, but they taste wonderful. I have bias because my parents' house is at the start line and running through Ravenswood makes me happy and nostalgic, but I think that this is a great 5k. I agree with what another review said about having corrals because A LOT of people jump in wherever they want at the start line and end up walking 500 m into the race, which is cool, as long as you don't line up at the 8:30 mile pace sign. Other than the start line issue, I feel that the race is well organized and the course is lovely. Overall, I love that the money goes back into the community, it's fun to watch the kids' races after the 5k, and there's just a great community feel. This is my 8th year running this race and each year I see more and more people coming out of their homes on Hermitage, Paulina or Leland to line up and run. To me, there's just something magical about that. read more

Run this race because it is in the neighborhood. (Nice that some of the proceeds go to a local community charity.) Run through the city streets in Ravenswood. Race is well supported, there are a lot of participants. Nice tech t shirt. They allow jogging strollers and quite a few folks run with them. read more

I love the Ravenswood Run 5k! I look forward to this race every year, and it never disappoints. I love that the race benefits a couple of neighborhood charities: the Ravenswood Community Services Food Pantry, and this year it also benefited the Student Health Centers at Lake View and Amundsen High Schools. There is also an optional pancake breakfast after the race ($10 extra - you can purchase your tickets to the pancake breakfast when you register for the race) that also benefits the food pantry. The race is well organized by Fleet Feet, with everything you need to know clearly communicated via their website and via emails to participants. I have always gotten a quick reply if I send a question to the race organizers, and I feel that everyone I come in contact with who works or volunteers with the race actually cares about the event. Everyone is just so friendly and helpful. Packet pick up was quick and efficient, available the couple of days leading up to the race at various Fleet Feet Chicago locations and also available the morning of the race at the race site. The course itself is great - flat and fast, winding through the streets of the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square neighborhood. I love races that are on city streets instead of the lake front trail, so that is always a bonus for me. Runners are asked to seed themselves at the starting line based on estimated pace, and there are pace markers set up so you know where to line up. Most folks seem to choose the right place, but there are always a few who head straight to the front even though they will be running slowly, so things can get pretty crowded at the beginning of the race. The course always seems to open up a bit after the first mile. After the race, there are always plenty for free snacks (bananas, fruit snacks, packets of cookies - that sort of thing) and water. This year, there was also bottles of chocolate milk. And the best post race treat ever? Cinnamon rolls. Anne Sather's always has a tent handing out free samples. My only quibble with the race has to do with the shirts. I love the design, and I'm always a fan of gender specific sizing - it is the only way that I get a shirt that actually fits properly. I don't, however, love gender specific colors. I know that race organizers have to work with what is available from the sponsor, but I really dislike that this year women were given pink shirts and men were given blue shirts. I really wish that all participants had the same color shirt. read more

I was really excited to run the Ravenswood 5k, as running is now my only competitive outlet, having been banned for steroid use from my other pasttime (1992 Scripps spelling bee). I got a fun shirt with a raven on it, you know because of the word "Raven" in "Ravenswood." Much preferable to the previous year's emphasis on the word "wood" and the nonsensical "I got wood for Ravenswood" slogan. Unfortunately, the event (priced at $39) was not fun and entertaining like its namesake, Poe's "The Raven." Instead, on this cold and windy day, it took on a gloomy and depressing quality, like Disney's "That's So Raven." The race runs through the Ravenswood and Lincoln Square neighborhoods. Volunteers are present throughout the first mile shouting at you to watch out for the speed bumps. The last mile goes east on Lawrence, and we ran through intense wind. Good thing my iPod, watch, and Google glasses were all wind-powered. Also this race features a disproportionate number of runners with strollers. I tend to cut them some slack because my mother would also push me around in a stroller during her physical activity. It very nearly cost her her place on the soccer team. I already felt guilty enough hearing her constantly tell me the reason I was born was because Planned Parenthood didn't take American Express. Post-race includes bananas and bagels. But, sorry my fellow Yelpers, I was unable to get a very simple question answered by the high-school volunteers. How hard it is to tell me if the Brookshire pomogranate dark chocolate drops are fair trade? WTF Junior?! I was so blinded with rage I didn't pay attention to other post-race details. For example, ChicagoAthlete was there passing out free copies of their magazine, but it could have also been ChicagoAtheist. One thing I did notice is for an additional $10, you can have a pancake breakfasts, with the proceeds going to the neighborhood food pantry. Although a worthy cause, is eating a pile of pancakes the most appropriate way to fight hunger? Let that join the list of other well-intentioned yet missing-the-point fundraisers, like the charity female boxing tournament, whose proceeds went to the local battered women's shelter. And, as with many of these races, there is a kids run, including 3-yr old (and under) 20 m dash. That's right, "and under." So if you're driving back from the maternity ward, you can enter your hatchling in the fray. The good news is he's probably still so greased up with amniotic fluid that he won't even have to run. Set him on his back and with one good push, he can hydro-plane his way to victory. read more