This was my first time running the Quarryman Challenge and I absolutely loved it! The price is very reasonable for a 10 miler, packet pickup was out in the burbs, the cotton t-shirt is a nice one to wear with jeans and the packet didn't contain a bunch of paper advertising other races that would just be thrown out. I may be one of the few who likes cotton t-shirts; I only wear technical shirts when I run and I have way too many.

The Quarryman 10 miler started at 7:30 AM so it was one of the first early races of the spring for me. Getting up at 5:00 AM was difficult. When I arrived at 6:45 AM there was still plenty of free parking available on the streets or in the designated parking garage just a couple blocks from the event. A quick walk to the start line and the after party area where there were plenty of clean port-a-potties and a DJ playing upbeat music. There was also someone cutting up oranges and offering slices before the event. This was a nice touch to start the morning.

Just before the race, someone sang a nice rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and then we were off. I knew this race was hilly because I had been out to Lemont a few weeks ago to check it out. Yet, I was still surprised at just how hilly this race was. For the first half, all we seemed to do was climb. This race is run entirely on the residential streets of Lemont and given that it is held on a Saturday morning, there was a bit of vehicular traffic for those of us in the back of the pack to contend with. Overall though, the drivers were respectful, course marshals and policeman did there jobs, and it was not a huge problem. We ran past some beautiful houses and the spring flowers and trees were beautiful on a cloudy, rainy morning. The weather this year was just about perfect as temperatures never got above 65 and the sun didn't come out until the very end. The little bit of rain that occurred in the beginning felt great and kept us cool.

I carried my own water but it seemed like the aid stations were reasonably spaced. They certainly were staffed with an enthusiastic crew! Seeing all those smiling young faces cheering us on was a real boost.

The second half of the course, while still having a fair number of uphills, seemed to have more fairly steep downhills. Loved being able to pick up some time lost on those uphills during the first half of the race. The last quarter mile is a flat, straight run to the finish line and it was fun to finish without an incline.

The after party at the Quarryman is A+.. Two local establishments were pouring tap beers and just putting them out (none of this one ticket/one beer stuff) and there was also great pizza being served. The age group awards are really different for this race. They're a hunk of quarry stone with a small plaque indicating place. I didn't win one but my friend Muriel (whom I ran with) did and it looks great.

This is definitely a must do again for me! Hope to see you there!