Run For the Kids 5k

This year Chicago Fire Fighters and Paramedics held the 11^th annual «Run for the Kids 5K». Proceeds benefited children with serious and terminal illnesses (Cerebral Palsy, Pediatric Cancer) and their families, burn survivors, and programs that educate families in order to prevent accidents (Burn Prevention, Home Safety, Youth Education).
Parking on the south side was incredibly easy. The Parking Lot was free, which I am a fan of since I was expecting to have to pay $ 13+. It was WAY more convenient than taking CTA. Packet Pick-​Up and Registration was held outside of Soldier Field at the Southeast corner, and that was also the location of the Post-​Race Party. It was pretty easy to get to from the Parking Lot and grabbing my shirt and race bib was easy peasy. But no Goody Bags. They went green this year. Awesome! So just bring your own if you want to stockpile the sponsors’ free stuff.
The Race Course was pretty nice. I guess there was a concert going on so they had to change it a little bit from other years. It sounded like some streets were blocked off before and this time they had people run along the Lake Front Trail past Shedd up to about the Chicago Yacht Club at E Monroe Street and back. The course was not blocked off completely, so we had other joggers out there and had to keep to the right to let oncoming people use the trail as well. Some places bottle-​necked a bit, but nothing drastic. I think it was one of the most scenic and interesting courses I’ve run so far. The only problem was that the trail is a little worn and there are some holes and cracks in the concrete.
Post-​Race Party was pretty sweet. They played Top-​40s music, gave away some prizes and reminded people what the run was all about. The sponsors were pretty decent and numerous. CARA was there with race information, Monkey Bars Gym was showing off their sweet workout equipment, pizza, applesauce, popcorn, chips and soda were available and I was starving. We even got 3 tickets for free Bud Light. I ended up drinking just one and I think it speaks volumes to my kid-​at-​heart that I was much more excited about the Freezy Pops than the beer.