Skip to main content

Ridge Run Challenge (10K & 5K) in Beverly

I ran the Ridge Run Challenge this morning. In case you're like me from a few weeks ago and don't know what that means, I'll give you a bit more info. The Ridge Run is both a 5K and a 10K racing event in Beverly (near Ridge Park). The Ridge Run Challenge is where you run both races (10K at 8 and 5K at 9:30). It's a pretty awesome idea - and a set-up like this probably would have saved us a lot of time back in February when we did the First Annual February Fool's Goal Half Marathon/Debacle.

This may exist with other races, but I've never heard of a race with multiple distances coordinating it so that participants could run both of them (this did involve them shutting down the finish line for the 10K after 1:20 - so if you're 10K pace puts you behind that finishing time... this race is not for you). I don't need to go into too much back story about the race though, since I think my Newcity review covers most of it, most importantly that the 10K is the oldest 10K in Chicago and this morning marked its 36th running.


But back to the Ridge Run Challenge. It involves running both the 10K and the 8K, switching bibs in between (and hopefully running outfits). According to the website, “Runners who complete the Challenge will receive special recognition.” I don't know what that special recognition was supposed to be but I don't think I got it. Those of us doing both races did have special gold stickers on our bibs so that may have been the special recognition we received. The volunteers at packet pick-up did indeed recognize me. They said, "Oh you're one of those crazy ones." And on the course, a few spectators yelled, "Good job! For the second time today!" So the secret of the gold circle is out and it does earn you special recognition. Plus it's just really fun to finish a race, go stretch, and then run another one. Even if it's on a very similar course.

So, here are some photos to give you an idea of what you can expect if you check this race out.

Race day packet pick-up. As Austin Power's father, Nigel Powers, would say, "Easy peasy lemon squeezy." Lots of volunteers and lots of space to move around (and inside a dry gym, which was nice for a rainy morning).


Most runners were hanging out under a big tent in Ridge Park up until a few minutes before the race. The rain lightened up a bit just before race time but it was still more than a sprinkle.

This little girl was much braver than the rest of us - no umbrella, no hood. She's just ready to face nature on her own terms.

Some kind of gym/theatre/sanctuary - I found this in between races and spent the entire 40 minutes I had stretching. This fooled me into thinking that my knee was fine and that running a 10K followed shortly by a 5K was not a bad idea. As soon as I started the 5K I realized the error of my ways. But this room is still awesome.

Runners gathering for the start of the 5K. This was a few minutes before they officially closed the 10K so there were still some runners trickling in and through this crowd. As I said in the Newcity review, this 5K could have used some pace groups - there were a lot of people.

Finisher's refreshment area. You had to take the tag off your bib to go through this area - I've never seen that before unless there was something highly desirable. This was just sandwiches (okay those are pretty desirable), water, apples and bananas.

Luckily, both Muscle Milk (a media team sponsor) and PowerBar were at the race, so I still ended up with plenty of post-race food and drink.

Comments

  1. Wow! Congratulations! I've heard of the race but did not know there was also a challenge to run both races.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats on completing the challenge! Also I recognize the guy in the gray shirt at the start of the 5K race, he runs a lot around the south/southwest burbs, so I see him a lot at group runs, races and I think CARA summer marathon training in Oak Forest. He might be a Chicago cop or I might be confusing him with another local runner.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like something I'd like to try once in my lifetime!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Did you not get your special Challenge Medal? Contact BAPA ridgerun@bapa.org and we can send it to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathleen - I just emailed. Looking forward to getting that medal - really enjoyed the race(s)!

      Delete

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