Skip to main content

Run Home Chicago

So, after the punishing (at least to Chicagoans) heat from Saturday's half marathon, I did the only logical thing on Sunday morning: I woke up at 6:45 and took a cab to Soldier Field so I could do day-of registration for the Run Home Chicago 10K. Brynn was definitely not feeling that idea so she went back to sleep.

I'd been getting interested in this race since it was an inaugural run that had been garnering a lot of attention leading up to the event. After registering (and running into Kate from Fit-Ink) I was pretty impressed to see Andrea Metcalf as the announcer and a big selection of presenters supporting the race (but it is a race to end homelessness so I can see why they were there.
Jesse White tumblers
Secretary of State Jesse White was there, with the Jesse White Tumblers - Kate said he was  participating in part of it (first as part of the base of a human pyramid that the tumblers jumped over and then he did a head-stand and split his legs and they jumped over him again). At the time I believed her but I just looked him up and he's 77 years old. If that was him performing, he deserves some high-fives because that headstand was solid. Now I need some proof Kate! Whether he was actually in it or not, this performance made me feel better about paying my driver's license fees.

Congressman Aaron Schock (who was voted "America's Fittest Congressman" by Men's Health last year) not only spoke, he also ran the 10K (and beat me by a full four minutes). He also pointed out that "being the fittest member of Congress is like being the best surfer in Kansas."

Chicago Bears Earl Bennett (who kicked off the 10K and ran the 5K) and Israel Idonije were also there.

I won't go into too much detail about the race itself since I already covered most of it in my Newcity review, but basically it was really hot and the course was an out-and-back double-loop (meaning the 10K runners basically ran the 5K course twice). There were a lot more 5K runners and walkers than 10K runners so this design made the course pretty packed for the second lap, which was when the heat was really getting to me anyway.
But the finish area was GREAT. Cupcakes from Swirlz Cupcakes, pizza from Home Run Inn pizza and all the normal stuff: gatorade, water, bananas, oranges, apples, bagels (I grabbed a bagel and it actually felt like it was already toasted... seriously it was pretty hot).

And best of all, hot dogs from America's Dog, who I really love since two years ago they selected my submission as a winner for their hot dog design contest. Picture the amazingness below: TEX MEX DOG - refried beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos... on a hot dog. Amazing. It was only on sale in their Chicago locations for two weeks (I guess it sounded better to me and them than it did to other customers) but they definitely won my loyalty with that... and reaffirmed it with free hot dogs after a hot 10K.
Tex Mex Dog
This was a great inaugural run and I hope they improve the course for next year (or just cut the 10K and use the same course but just for a 5K so there's no loops). I had a great time before, during and after even with the heat.

And I realized afterwards that Run Home Chicago marked the 20th officially organized race that I've run this year!

Comments

  1. Zach:

    Thank you for participating in our Inaugural Run Home Chicago! We hope to see you next year for a new course, plenty of fun, and hopefully cooler weather!! Christine Achre - CEO of Primo Center for Women and Children and Co-Chair of Run Home Chicago 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Christine! It was a very organized event for an inaugural run and what a great after-party. But it's especially impressive that you guys raised almost $69,000! Well done!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Daily Guide to Chicago Comedy Shows in April 2018

April 1: Character Assassination presents The Roast of Disney Princesses at Laugh Factory The latest entry in the Character Assassination roast show series pits a collection of Disney princesses -played by Chicago comics - against each other. Starring Allison Dunne, Alex Kumin, Sarah Shockey, Gena Gephart, Audrey Jonas, Eunji Kim, Samantha Berkman, Stephanie Weber and Mandee McKelvey. April 2: Comedy Overload Open Mic at Gallery Cabaret A weekly open mic open to all forms of comedy that takes place at a sweet venue in Bucktown. April 3: Shake 'Em Up Comedy Showcase at Shakers on Clark   This free two-hour comedy showcase is hosted by Darrick J and Nate Galloway. Comics get between four and 10 minutes each and the hosts let comedians know a bit needs work by hitting a bell and "shaking 'em up." April 4: Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O'Toole's Really you should be catching this weekly showcase at Timothy O'Toole's e

Life of Pi: The Pi Day Pi K Returns to Fleet Feet Stores Across Chicago

I have run a grand total of ONE time since crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon in October of last year. I know, I know, I'm disgusted with me too. So when I got Fleet Feet's notice about the Pi Day "Pi K" Fun Run this coming Monday evening (3.14 - PI DAY, get it?) it seemed like a pretty solid way to get back out on the running trail without getting myself up super early or registering for a timed race where I would embarrass myself. Also, my wife and I ran this race back in 2014 and had a great time. Plus, after an article I wrote for the Tribune about xkcd creator and all-around baller Randall Munroe speaking in Chicago at an Illinois Science Council (ISC) event , I know a little more about the organization behind the Pi Day Pi K and their mission. Quick excerpt from the Trib article: Founded in 2006 by nonscientist Monica Metzler (who also serves as executive director), the ISC was created to help engage adults in science and technology

Chicagoland's First Annual February Fool's Goal Half Marathon/Debacle

A few weeks ago I was looking through the race listings for the month of February and noticed that there are three different races this coming Sunday. All in different cities. As I was trying to decide which one to run I realized that they're all taking place at different times... and then I started thinking... Why not just run all three? I talked to my running homey Antonio and after some discussion about logistics, we realized that based on the timing and location of the races, this would be an insane dash from Chicago to Highland Park to Hoffman Estates to Channahon and back to Chicago, with just enough time to park, get our bibs, run the races and (after carefully stretching, of course) head off to the next one. That's also when we noticed that by a pretty sweet coincidence, the three races just happen to add up to a half marathon.  So, obviously we decided that it had to be done. We registered for all three and created a new race: Chicagoland's First A