I should start by saying that I have very limited experience running 5ks. I’ve never cared much for 5ks and until this race, I haven't seriously raced one since the fall of 2008. I think this race changed my mind about the 5k. Here's why....

PROS
- Weekday evening race! I always love a good excuse to leave the office a little early.
- Reasonable race fee with the option of race day registration; And you can do a timed run or a fun run.
- Packet pick-up at Fleet Feet with the option of race day pick-up without a 'will call' fee.
- 50/50-ish split of the course being run on finely crushed gravel vs. sidewalks. I prefer the sidewalk/pavement but I know the more forgiving surfaces are better for me - this was a happy compromise.
- Clearly marked course with friendly volunteers directing us where to go. I didn't get lost, or maybe I should say all of the runners I was following didn't get lost!
- Fun course. There was a more to this course than just an out and back. (I guess it’s easier to be creative with a 5k than a half marathon…) There were several parts of the course where you could see who was ahead of you and vice versa due to turn around points. I find this motivational from both perspectives – chase those ahead of you, and keep at bay anyone behind you. This race was held in Lincoln Park, rather than downtown, thus, there were trees and grass and you never had to step foot on the lakefront bike path!
- Perfect size race. Not so many people that it felt overwhelming during the race but enough people that I always had someone near me to try and pick-off or keep-up with. (There were just under 500 timed runners. I’m not sure how many fun run runners there were.)
- Women's specific sized shirt. Nothing extra special about these but nothing awful.
- Live band, beer and vanilla wafers in the post-race area.

CONS
- No course map included on the website; I was fortunate enough to know someone who knew the course and mapped it out on the USATF website for me (Search for "Jim Gibbons 5k")
- Free for all start. There's a fun run and a chip timed run and everyone starts together. There are no signs suggesting where to start based on estimated pace. There were a bunch of grade school kids lined up at the very front that made the first couple hundred meters a little tricky. (And don't get me wrong - I think it's great these kids are active but I was nervous I would trip over them and hurt myself or them)

This race was well organized and was executed without a hitch (or so it appeared). I enjoyed myself enough before, during and after the run that after a six year hiatus from the 5k, I think I’ll do a couple more this year! I can only hope they are as great as this one!