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Chicago,
Illinois,
United States - October
- 3 miles/5K
- Road Race
- Event Website
Aubrene (Bree) F
chicago, Illinois, United StatesOverall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Pumpkins in the Park 5k was held on Saturday October 21st at 4 in the afternoon. A side note kids races are held before the 5k where the kids get medals and swag as well.
Packet pick up was a breeze at Fleet Feet on Friday from 10-7pm which is what I took advantage of to avoid the lines on Saturday. If you do not live in the city or have Friday night plans there was packet pick up starting at 1:30-3:30 onsite at the Lincoln Park south fieldhouse.
Parking the day of was street, the Chicago History Museum or Lincoln Park Zoo (make sure if you are in the zoo lot you are far enough south to avoid extra walking.
This course due to the congestion for the first 1-1.5 miles and varied surfaces makes it hard to achieve a PR unless you are at the front of the first corral (there are only 2 corrals) the congestion the course is fairly scenic taking you in and around the park.
Post race there was Revolution Brewing beer, sprinkled covered apples, Eli's mini pumpkin pies, bottled water, Nuun, mini Cliff bars. There was also entertainment onstage, a pie eating contest, costume contest, popcorn and pumpkin painting.
By the evening of the race the free race photos were already available which is such a quick turnaround.
The only cons were the varied surfaces and congestion early on. Otherwise the race was very well organized with plenty for the whole family to do pre and post race.