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.

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.

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.

Great race. Very organized. Wonderful way to start race season!…read more Course is deceivingly a bit hilly at part, but otherwise straight and flat. Again, very pleased with it.

How do I sum up this race…read more... Ok, it was my first ever Half Marathon. I've done a few 5K's and the 4 mile Turkey Trot...but nothing over just a few miles. Registration started months ahead of time. I think I first saw the sign up around Halloween the year before and by Thanksgiving I finallly worked up the nerve to hit that "register" button. The race isn't until May....so surely the 6months or so in between would get me prepared in time. Well.....as the months quickly went by, I got more and more nervous. Spring started to show up around town and with only a few short weeks until Race Day I was straight up scared. Two weeks until race time, I swear I would get serious anxiety every time I passed by RT 83 because I knew the race route was Rt83 from the Palos Pool to Archer and then back again. I must drive past or drive along 83 several times a day - - and every time it made me seriously nervous. Race Day came and oh man. I was hoping to just complete the race. I knew there was a 3hour time limit. I didn't care if I had to log roll the last few miles, I was going to finish in that 3 hours. I developed a plan with the pacer groups in mind - I LOVE that they had pace groups. Between the groups and the mile marker signs every mile with a timer clock on top, I thought I could manage my speed well enough and get to the end in time. The air horn went off and off we went. Still terrified, I found the first mile or two to be oddly emotional. Here I was! I was doing it! I started off with the 2:20 pace group but I found that their pace just didn't suit me well. I went a little ahead of them and figured as long as they didn't pass me, I was still in their general time range. First five miles...easy peasy! I'm on top of the world! Look at me go!! Then....I started to do the mental math and wonder how much longer until the turn-around point at Archer and how that was going to go. (It's simply a loop in a parking lot - very smooth and easy and then you run right back along the same path you just took to get there.) Miles eight and nine...and suddenly I'm feeling the pain. My feet hurt. That side cramp from mile four seems to have settled in, but now....horror of horrors..my radio tells me it's low on batteries!! NOOO!!! Can't stop now! If I start walking at this point, I know I'll never start running again. Just keep running!! Mile ten is fun. "It's just a 5k from here!" Right?? .....mile 11?? Yeah, that novelty wore off lol. Keep going! Twelve is coming up! Mile 13!! You're so close! You can hear the music and the spectators! Don't stop! You can do it!!!! .......I did it!! Oh man What a race. The trail is flat, smooth, not a single stick or stone or obstacle in your way. Water stations every other mile or so. Port a Potties at every water station. There's mile markers at every single mile with a timer clock on top so you know exactly where you stand. In the end, I finished ahead of any goal I could have set for myself. My time makes me proud to this day. And that nervousness about Rt 83? Now when I drive past it and down it several times a day? Now I'm proud. No more intimidation. No more questions. Just pride. For 2 hours and 18 minutes...I OWNED that street. ....I can't wait to do it again.

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.

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 admit -I'm a bit partial. This 5K was held by the gym I go to. I love this gym and sense of…read morecommunity of those who attend every day and I was really excited about this race. It's not every day that you know a large majority of people involved in the event you are attending. However, this review is an objective review based on my experience with many, many 5K events. I was super impressed as to how organized this race was, especially given the really bad weather yesterday. The weather held out until about 15 minutes prior to the start, and then it was a complete downpour! They made frequent announcements and were even prepared and passed out rain ponchos to those who wanted them. Since the registration disclaimer said "rain or shine", the race was on! I was particularly impressed with the turnout and excitement of the crowd to continue to run despite the rain. There were elite athletes going for time, the "regular folks" (like me) and a bunch of walkers and families with strollers. What I LOVED about all the people who were either registered or volunteering (or even those hanging out to support everyone) was that everyone was excited and pumped up and wanted to make this a great event regardless of the damper of the downpour! The route was great -in years past, I was told people in the neighborhood typically come out and cheer but this was not case due to the rain. You could see a few people on their front porch watching, but the weather definitely had an effect on the neighborhood "cheerleaders." No worries -the volunteers along the route were happy to give "high fives" and words of encouragement as they directed the participants down the route! My favorite part of the race was two things -fellow gym member, Theo, spinnin' house music at the finish and our "coach" Lamont, who trains us every day, cheering us on as we crossed the finish line. There is nothing better than having your "coach" see the rewards of all of his training! I am definitely doing this race next year and am hoping for much better weather!

I enjoyed this race despite it being one of my worse 5K run times ever due to not training…read morewhatsoever. Normally in preparation for a 5K, I would do some sort of speed work in-between normal mileage leading up to the event, however both lacked because of life responsibilities. The glorious part about not training is that your pacing is off. Once I clocked that first mile I had an idea of what pace I preferred. Other than that, it felt great not to have that expectation to go out and kill myself, which took a stress load off. But best believe next year I have a goal! And that goal is to beat that 21:33 time that is hovering over my head at the moment. I loved the support that this race had along its course, and the race official brought enthusiasm. Outside of the volunteers on the course there were also people cheering us on from their window or porch, which is rare during a 5k event. The course itself was very accurate, flat, and out-and-back with nothing extra. It was also well marked, yet had a biker guiding the lead runner with everyone else following. Out-and-back courses are fun because you encounter the other runners in route back to the finish, which gives you that extra support to push on. The only thing that can hinder your performance during this race is the weather, so I recommend wearing something on the lines of a light long-sleeved shirt or either that fantastic race shirt with arm warmers. We all know that Chicago weather is unpredictable in the fall, so do not count out wearing shorts. With all being said if you are considering Lawndale 5k you will not be disappointed. Thomas G

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!