It was a cool and overcast Saturday morning for CARA’s Wintrust Lakefront 10 Miler and 5K, which celebrated the start of Chicago’s spring running season. The 10 Miler is part of CARA’s Runners’ Choice Circuit.
The course began on Wilson Avenue near Lakeshore Drive and primarily ran along the Lakefront Path. What set this course apart from so many other Chicago lakefront races was the last mile of the race. Participants ran (or walked) in the grass up Cricket Hill before descending the other side and ending with a final lap around the Wilson Avenue track. I enjoyed this change of scenery, and running on the track made for a very fast finish.
Bib pickup was offered at two suburban locations in the week before the race. Participants could pick up their bib the Thursday or Friday before the race at Road Runner Sports in Chicago. Bib pickup was also available Saturday morning before the race. For an additional fee, CARA also offered participants the option of having their bib mailed to them. Participants received a reflective tech hoody with their bib and a finisher medal at the finish line. Gear check was available at the starting line.
There were no corrals. Instead, participants lined up at the start by their anticipated pace. It was a cool morning, but once the race began and I started running, I quickly warmed up. The path was not particularly crowded for a Saturday morning, allowing runners plenty of room to race. There were two on-course aid stations for the 10 miler that we passed twice, offering water and Gatorade Endurance. Volunteers at all the aid stations were very encouraging of the runners. The race had mile markers at every mile, and there was a timing clock at the 10K split.
Post-event stretching and injury analysis were offered by NovaCare Rehabilitation. Post-race snacks and drinks included a Lagunitas beer and RX Bars. There were many different vendors at the post-race party offering no shortage of different samples.
Overall, I found it to be a fun race with a fast finish. I enjoyed the end of the race and the change of scenery from the usual lakefront races. I would definitely consider doing this race again next year!
10 Miler Run Top 3 Men
- Arturs Bareikis (50:59)
- Wilson Tuwei (51:44)
- Chris Robertson (51:51)
10 Miler Run Top 3 Women
- Jane Bareikis (59:25)
- Julia Buford (59:49)
- Columba Montes (1:02:14)
5K Run Top 3 Men
- Will Clevidence (18:11)
- Sergio Moreno (18:22)
- Picasso Russell (18:26)
5K Run Top 3 Women
- Valere Guertin (19:27)
- Kat Stevanovich (19:56)
- Emily Azari (20:42)
