Runs Ranked

I will have run in 22 races over the last calendar year.  Even I was surprised at that number.  Below I will list my favorite runs to my least favorite I did during the year.  I consider, swag, price, organization, ease of packet pickup into my rankings.

1. Chicago Marathon - Yes, it is expensive and the shirt that they give you is brutal, but still nothing like it.  Training for it sucks but race day is a total experience.  The Expo the day before is equally fantastic and they have a lot of good swag you can buy but I also cleaned up on the free crap.  Race itself is really run well and they have plenty of water stations and medical help along the way.  It will test you but there is nothing like the feeling at the end when you finish.

2. Chicago Big Ten 10K- I was totally surprised by this one.  I did not go to a big ten school but got hooked by the swag.  I got the Northwestern shirt and Nancy got the Illinois.  The turnout for these schools is enormous.  The race itself is a blast but the tailgate after party is what really sells it.  Race is at Soldier Field and at the party I got a sausage sandwich, ice cream, chocolate milk, and other trinkets.  Plus they had some big ten celebs walking around at each schools tent.  Also had some football drills games in the parking lot.  Gear Check was a mess but that was the only negative.

3. Big Game 10K – Ran on Superbowl Sunday.  Did it for the first time this year and it hooked me.  Takes place at Soldier Field.  Before the race you are inside the stadium warm in the luxury box section. You then go run the race and finish with an after party in those same boxes.  Only time you are exposed to the elements is during the actual run.  Our winter was brutal, but they had the entire path cleared.  After party also includes a free hot dog and drink, you really can’t beat it.

4. The Quarryman – This run is a beast.  Run through the hills of Lemont it is not for the faint of heart.  A very inexpensive race that features free pizza and a beer afterword if you are so inclined.  That ten mile run through the streets of Lemont however, is a challenge.  To say there are hills is an understatement.  You are rarely on flat ground.  Going downhill is almost as bad as at one point you are running and you cannot stop, the inclines are so steep.  It is a challenge but it is also fun and a race I plan on running again.

5. The Palos Turkey Trot – I have been running this Thanksgiving Race every year for the past 5 years.  I love this one.  It goes through the neighborhoods of Palos Heights and you have to deal with thirteen hills throughout the four mile course.  You always get a nice either hoodie or running jacket.  It’s a local race and one that I will run every year.  I have never had a bad time at this one.

6. The Ditka Dash – While, I am not a Mike Ditka fan I must say the race that they run for him is really outstanding.  Any race should be about fun and the Ditka Dash is definitely that.  Another that takes place at Soldier Field it has a great after party and good swag that they give you and even more that can be purchased. 

7. The Roselawn Cemetery 5K – I’ve done this one three years in a row and I love it.  It is pretty inexpensive and casual.  Takes place at night and runs throughout one of the coolest cemeteries in Chicago at night.  The course is lit up with candles and is a fun time. A glow in the dark shirt is your swag that is pretty cool.  I usually just walk the path as it is a tad treacherous at night and with a lot of dips and loose gravel.

8. The Lockport High School 5K – I dig this one because the funds go to the school. Starts and ends at the Lockport High. Not a ton of runners so the course is not too crowded.  We got a decent shirt and some popsicles after the run.  Very low key but was very organized. Course is also somewhat of a challenge as there are some hills.

9. Race to Wrigley – Still a very cool run.  I have run it the last five years or so.  My only complaint is they keep moving the date. When it was in May it was awesome.  Last year they had it in early April for some reason and it is a tad on the chiller side.  Course itself I love and finishing through Wrigley at the end is still awesome. It is not a cheap one and you don’t get much swag other then the shirt but I still like it.

10. Get Lucky 7 Miler – Ran this for the first time this year.  Team Ortho events are always interesting.  They have great swag and the Get Lucky was no different as we got a great hoodie.  But, the prices are high and the organization is always lacking. Still, I liked this path as it was on the south side in Jackson Park and there are not a lot of runs there.  It was muddy but overall still was fun and I would do it again.

11. The Bucktown 5K – Bucktown is still one of my favorite runs. It is scenic and the run itself I love.  It is a great neighborhood that the course really explores and lets you enjoy it. The swag is also really nice.  This year we got a great pair of running sweats but in past years we got really nice jackets.  The parking sucks and the after party is really lacking booths but overall still it.

12. The Warrior Dash – I always have fun at the Warrior Dash. The obstacles have gotten weaker but I did like the Goliath they added this year. The swag is lacking but they do offer you cool stuff you can buy.  And the after party is fun.  The chance of injury is always there but, I do still enjoy it.

13. The Super Bears 5K – This would be way higher up on my list if it was better organized.  The price, the swag, and the race itself I loved.  Really cool looking Bears tech shirt as your swag and a great after party. But the organization before the race was a joke.  No one who knew what they were doing and trying to get my packet was a total train wreck.  I hope they fix this for next year.

14. Original 5K – A really fun race.  Swag was lacking as all you got was a pair of tube socks (Which really sucked to run in.) The race itself was a total blast and saw some really cool people dressed up in their best 70’s gear.  It has potential to be even better but they need to step up the swag.

15. The Hot Chocolate 15k – The good is that the swag is awesome.  I got a great hoodie that I will wear the heck out of. The medal also is really cool.  However, it is really crowded. 40,000 people signed up and if crowds bug you then this is not the race for you.  The “expo” is also very lame. Packet pick up is at the Merchandise Mart, which I do not mind but the expo was really tiny and shoe horned into a very small space.  It is also a tad overpriced.  But you do get a lot for it so, it is one of those I still like but is not perfect.

16. The Rock and Roll Half Marathon – This used to be one of my top 5.  That was until this year.  Ok, you cannot beat the expo. There are a ton of tables and a ton of free swag. The shirt is alright but the medal is usually really cool.  The best part of this race is the bands playing at each mile.  However, this year the lack of bands was staggering.  I did not hear any music until mile six.  There were stages setup with no music being played.  The race organizers blamed the city but I am not buying it as there were bands there the last two years I ran it. Someone dropped the ball on that. Also, I know I ran more than 13.1 miles.  Everyone said the mileage was off and again they dodged this saying it was right.  But, anyone that ran it will tell you it was longer.  I am still going to sign up next year but let’s hope the issues have been fixed for 2015.

17. The Glo Run – I like the Glo Run, but, not in love with it. Shirt was very generic as was the rest of the swag.  Run itself at night was fun and it was very inexpensive.  The after party was also kind of lame. They certainly try hard and it is not a bad time but there are better runs out there.

18. The Pumpkin Run – I actually enjoyed this run for the first two miles.  It was that third mile that I got angry.  It said it was though a maze, so I did know that going in.  I just didn’t like it. Was muddy as hell and once you got in that maze you were at the mercy of the speed of the runner in front of you as you could not pass.  It is fun and organized well, and I love the shirt and the pumpkin I got. I would do it again but know what to expect this time around.

19. The Color Run – The race was fun and relatively inexpensive.  But the organization before the race left a lot to be desired. The line to pick up your packets was insanely long.  We got there early thank god but people were still waiting in line as the race started.  The shirt we got was very generic but I guess it has to be as it is about to get bombed with color dye.  It is not really a 5K nor is it really a run.  It is very different and it is a fun event.  Just need some better organization before the race.

20. The Monster Dash – I have a love hate relationship with Team Ortho. I love their swag but they are never organized, and always make decisions that leave me scratching my head. There was no store at the Monster Dash this year and when I asked no one seemed to know why.  The path is as usual was crowded and thin in a lot of areas.  The jacket we got was really nice but that is all you get and their races are not cheap.  I have emailed them about things in the past and I never hear back.  So, yes I like their races but would not miss them if I did not run them either.

21. Michelob Ultra Half Marathon – Now this one is more my fault then the race organizers. The race is organized and people are nice working it.  But man is that path boring.  No one is out cheering you on and running 13 miles that can mentally get to you after awhile.  The after party is fun and they do have a free pizza waiting for you at the end.  The medal was just ok but the main issue for me was I had some nipple chaffing issues. I learned a lesson with this one and always lube up now before any big run.

22. The New Years Day 5K- I was never more miserable for a race in my life.  I know it is January in Chicago, and they cannot control the weather. But it was just nasty out.  The shirt you get is alright, but other than that really no other swag. No warming tents and nowhere to conglomerate after the race.  I can’t speak to the path as it was all snow covered when we attempted to run it.  Somehow, I was talked into this one again for 2015, let’s hope for better weather.