Best 5K Races in Chicago

Below is a list of my picks for Best 5K races to do in Chicago . . . if you had to pick 1 per month.  There are hundreds of 5K races so it only makes sense to follow this up soon with the best 5K races in the Chicagoland area.  What’s great about this distance is there’s no excuse not to try one; it’s only 3.1 miles.  Also, one of the risks of doing a list like this is if a race is cancelled which, unfortunately, happened this year in the case of the Park Ridge 5K where I set my 5K PR. Let’s hope it comes back next year.

January - New Year’s Day 5K (www.chicagoevents.com)

Many runners come to this start line with fresh faces, ready to start the new year off on the right foot, and there are usually a few blurry-eyed participants who partied well into the night.  It’s a great statement to start the new year by running a 5K along the lakefront in Lincoln Park at Stockton Dr. and LaSalle.

February

If you’ve lived in Chicago for any period of time, you know February is the month when winter never seems to end and spring seems like a distant dream.  If there’s a 5K race in Chicago please let me know and we’ll get a group to run it!

March - Wacky 5K (www.chicagoevents.com)

This race has seen a few course changes over 17 years but the current location on the west side of the Loop at Plumbers’ Union Hall is a refreshing change.  This event is a celebration of the end of National Snack Food Month, hence it used to be called the Wacky Snacky 5K.  The “Snacky” may be missing from the title but you can still expect plenty of goodies when you finish.

April - Ravenswood Run 5K (www.fleetfeetchicago.com)

For over a decade, this event has drawn runners off the lakefront and into a great Chicago neighborhood.  Its logo and race shirt have always been my favorites, and it’s a good time to shake out the rust on your “wheels”.  It benefits the Ravenswood Food Pantry at All Saints’ Episcopal Church.  

May - Alivio Y Salud 5K (www.chicagoevents.com)

When was the last time you headed out to Harrison Park? Did you know it was named after Carter Harrison, a Chicago Mayor?  This Pilsen neighborhood race benefits the Alivio Medical Center whose mission is to provide healthcare to people without insurance.  Last year’s winner is one of the top local runners, Emisael Favela.

June - Takeda WonderGirl 5K (www.gotrchicago.org)

Back in the 80s when Cindy Lauper belted out “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” I remember a bunch of my college friends declaring this their anthem.  The WonderGirl 5K, organized by Girls on the Run, has inspired hundreds of girls who just wanna have fun and also develop healthy lifestyles.  (Note: this is a fun run---not timed).

July - Chicago Fire Fighters Run for the Kids 5K (www.RunfortheKids.com)

Evening races, like this one which starts at the Soldier Field Great Lawn, are becoming more popular.  It’s convenient for runners who work downtown to turn off their computer, reach under their desk for their running bag and join hundreds of friends supporting a great cause. 

August - Elvis is Alive 5K (www.fleetfeetchicago.com)

This race helped launch Fleet Feet Sports popular race series. This past year, it changed from a rockin’ Saturday night run in Lincoln Park to a Thursday night run in Grant Park, but the number of participants having a great time and running in Elvis costumes hasn’t changed.

 September - Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure 5K (www.komenchicago.org)

Thousands of women and those who support women with breast cancer gather each September in Chicago for one of the biggest events in the city.  To say that there’s a sea of runners and walkers forming a pink human-ribbon throughout the city streets is no exaggeration!

 October - Bucktown 5K (www.runningawaymultisport.com)

When someone recommends this race, you can bet they mention the schwag.  This event, organized by Running Away, gets kudos for a great goody bag, which according to their web site is over a $100 value.

 November - Edison Park Turkey Trot 5K (www.epturkeytrot.com)

Turkey trots are incredibly popular in Chicago; in fact, I counted 13 races coming up related to “turkey.”  If you’ve done the “big” one in Lincoln Park, try one of the classic, smaller neighborhood ones like this. 

 December - Universal Sole Resolution Run 5K (www.universalsole.com)

What better way to celebrate the year end and make a commitment to the next 12 months than joining all of your friends along the lakefront path for this popular run, which used to be at night and now is held in the morning.  Don’t forget to bring some canned goods for the Lakeview Pantry . . . and think about resolutions---err---goals for 2009.