BTN Big 10K

BTN Big 10K

BTN Big 10K

( 40 reviews )
95% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Chicago,
    Illinois,
    United States
  • July
  • 3 miles/5K, 6 miles/10K
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Angie Maske-Berka

Iowa, United States
177 212
2018
"Go Hawks"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Angie Maske-Berka's thoughts:

The 2018 event took place August 12 at 7 am. The temps were in the high 60's but it was humid and sunny.

Registration: Starting around $50 online, increased as race day neared and closed a few days before the race. Included with registration is a gender specific, school specific, short sleeve tech shirt; bib with timing chip, name & school logo, finisher medal, post race beer, post race sausage, post race tailgate. No race day registration.

*Virtual event bags were sent with a few offers from race sponsors. I tried to get one to work with no luck, even with a call the brand.

Packet pickup/Expo: There was no true expo for this race. Packet pickup was held at Road Runner Sports multiple times starting days before. No race day pickup. Someone else could pick up your packet. You could also have it mailed to you for an additional fee.
*Wearing your race shirt during the race is common for this.

Pre-race: The race festivities were moved back to Soldier Field, so parking was available for around $20 or you could take public transportation. There were lots of port-o-potties and gear check was available. There was music and announcements on the loud speakers. Only 4 corrals were set up, and participants were encouraged to start lining up at 6:30. Each person had their corral letter on their bibs. They did say they would close corrals.

Mascots and cheerleaders were at the starting line, along with the emcee Bill Murray. However, I heard nothing in my corral, I am not sure if there was a National Anthem. We just kept moving towards the start, where we could finally hear the jokes coming from Bill Murray.

* There was a "weather alert" message sent to participants via email and posted on the web about the race day temps & humidity.

Race/ Course: With the change of venue, the course was basically and out and back, south on the Lake Front Path, with a small portion on the road, and an avoidance of the McCormick Tunnel.
-Terrain: paved surface, with a small gravel trail next to the path. The edge between these parts were uneven.
-Course: all miles were marked, there were clocks at spots with the start time. here were also signs marking an event taking place. While the course was closed to vehicular traffic, the lake front path is never closed, there were a lot of bikes, making it extra crowded. The out and back nature of the course also made parts very crowded, my corral started when the lead pack was coming back.
-Aid Stations: There were man Aid Stations. Each had Gatorade Endurance and water. They were in different cups.
-Spectators: there were a few spectators, but mostly for family & friends
-Volunteers: There seemed to be a volunteer every where you looked, the aid stations, intersections, finish line.
-Elevation: flat!
-I didn't see any port-o-potties on course, but not sure you need one for a 10k
-Photographers: FREE race pictures, posted quickly. However, I only saw them at the finish line.
-Bonus: slip n side on course
-Scenery: Nice lake views and cityscape

Finish: The timing mats were out and an arch was set up. Once across the finish line there were bottles of water and a volunteer handed you a medal. Then there were bottles of Gatorade, and a small protein bar. Also in the finish area was the post race stage with announcements and a backdrop for finisher photos - with a super long line.

There were tickets on the bib to redeem a post race sausage and beer. These tents were off to the side, but with the HUGE parking lot, there was room to spread out.

Post Race: There was a lot to do. Awards were handed out on a stage in between a live band performing. The post race is a tailgate. There was an area with the bag toss game. The B1G championship trophy was there to take pictures with. Free samples from other vendors too. Each school had a tent, but swag was up to each school.

*I found out each school provides something different. I am an Iowa Hawkeye, my school had koozies, schedule magnets, and posters. Other schools didn't have as much. I am thinking this is due to the fact that geographically my school can drive in a lot of swag, while others have to fly. This stuff is provided by the school and not the race. However, this year there were no props or fun things for photos.

My race: I had no goal for this race, I just know how much fun it is and I knew I would be meeting friends. I lined up in the corral and waited until it was my turn to start... about 20 minutes later. I did think the announcer really sucked, and then when I got close realized it was Bill Murray, LOL

This was my fourth year running this, The first time I ran this, it started/finished at the Soldier Field location. I didn't care for it. Then it moved near Grant Park and they stretched all the festivities out, including lots of corrals with wide streets. The lake front path is too narrow for this race. There were only 4 corrals and when my corral started, we had to share the path with the lead pack that was returning. It was hard to find a spot to run. I never felt it spaced out until we ran a section on the road. I am happy that McCormick Tunnel was not in the course.

I came across the finish line with a time of 1:07.

Overall: I really like this race, however I feel like this year was an after thought. I know the race is under new management, and all the things you expect for a great race were there. That being said, I knew this race had something extra to offer and those were missing - no school specific charms or ribbons on the medals, crowded lake front path, no school fight songs, and no photo opps at the tents - which I also feel is why the post race shut down quickly. I did like the school logo on the bib and my Hawkeye shirt was gold and not yellow!

GO HAWKS!!

Loading Comments...

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Latest reviews

Loading Reviews...