I ran this 5k in 2011, 2012, an 2013, and I fully intend to do it again this year. Each year the race has seemed to grow exponentially in terms of participation, however, the experience has not become at all tedious or chaotic as often happens when races grow so fast. The race benefits a charter school network, so if helping kids receive an education is your bag, then you can feel good about that too.

The "Day of the Dead" theme for this race is a blast. Many participants dress up as "Catrina's" and the like. I would love to see more of the lead runners get into the theme! There is a costume contest, dancing, really delicious posole (soup), Mexican hot chocolate, and much more after the race. Each year the long sleeved t-shirts are a different color and typically also have one subtle change to the design, the race website had an "el camino" tab where you can see (and submit your own) all the place the famous shirts have travelling nation and world-wide.

As for the field, this is a time of year when a lot of Chicago runners are in great shape so it can be a decently competitive race, however, this is also a great family event so there are runners and walkers of all speeds out there having a blast!

An additional claim to fame for this race are the awards. 3-deep in each age division receive a sugar skull hand painted by an UNO student. I have three so far, and cherish them.
Pre-race and along the course there is some traditional and local entertainment from school kids and other local neighborhood groups; music, dancing, and so on.