Zach Runs Chicago

In 2012, Burgers & Beer went from a monthly fun run put on by Universal Sole to an official 5K with an inaugural run in Montrose Harbor . The first race was so popular that last year they moved it to The Park at Lakeshore East. And it looks like it's grown again because this year it's moved to Soldier Field. Both the first and second year races were great (what's not to like about burgers AND beer?) so I think it's safe to assume that the third annual run on the evening of July 14th will be as well. If you're interested in signing up , the discount code bnb2014 is good for $5 off registration

Night races are really starting to be a thing. And though I was a bit of a naysayer at first, I'm coming around. There's something cool about running on a course in the dark with a bunch of other people, especially when there are sweet lights and music and all that good stuff. After driving back to Chicago on the night of Operation Pink Sky I headed downtown for the Energizer Night Race for a Brighter World. That's a really long title that somehow makes the race sound both better and worse than it actually was. As I said in my Newcity review , putting a brand name at the front of a race title gives it a corporate sound - but this race didn't have that feel at all (despite the giant Energizer bunnies sprinkled around and the Energizer bunny ears everyone was wearing). Maybe it was just the fact that it was a night race but it felt much more laid back than a corporate race would. Also, everyone had headlamps on which didn't help much at dusk but definitely loo...

The Park at Lakeshore East before the race With Universal Sole recently opening a new location in The Park at Lakeshore East , their super-catchily titled Burgers & Beer 5K moved downtown with them for its second annual running (from Montrose Harbor last year ). They also moved it up from the end of August to the middle of July, which may have contributed to the increase in entries. Though the race announcer attributed the rise in entries (entries more than doubled from 609 last year to 1229 this year) to the relocation downtown, I'd say excellent word of mouth, a very eye-catching title and an race earlier date also contributed to the race selling out. But, the race directors are right, the Park at Lakeshore East is a nice little hidden gem of a downtown park that other races really haven't taken advantage of yet. It definitely didn't hurt that the second annual race was held in such a beautiful, centrally-located location.

The good news: I own two pairs of waterproof socks. The bad news: I was not wearing either of them this morning. This morning I ran my first half marathon of 2012 (and the farthest I've run so far this year): The Magellan Development Group Chicago Spring Half Marathon. My full review of the race is up at newcity.com The Park at Lakeshore East (basecamp) It started off as an ideal day: 60 degrees, overcast, 30 percent chance of rain. Most of the runners either didn't bring jackets or checked them before the race got started (I was in the second group). And both of these seemed like good ideas at the time. But it started to rain early on and that rain quickly turned into a serious downpour. With the wind thrown in to the mix it made for a less than enjoyable run. But, as I noted in my review, that kind of weather sometimes makes you feel like you're really accomplishing more than just a half marathon - you're accomplishing a half marathon in the rain . A...