This was my second time running the Run for the Zoo 10K. I ran a few years ago just for fun with some friends, but this year I was hoping to get in a good 10K time before starting marathon training. This race is a fundraiser for the Lincoln Park Zoo and since I'm a big fan of ZooLights, I was happy to support the cause. However, I was disappointed with race management overall.

Packet pick-up took place on Friday from 11:00 - 6:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 - 1:00 pm. I wasn't able to get there by 6:00 on Friday so I had to change my Saturday plans in order to get my packet at 9:00. I arrived at the New Balance store shortly after 9:00 and the line was already wrapped around inside of the store, out the door and down the sidewalk. The packets were not prepared ahead of time and there were only a few people looking up names, finding bib numbers, and finding shirts. It was a much slower process than I've seen at other races.

On race day, I was able to warm-up to the starting area so I didn't have to worry about parking or transportation. There were markers for pace groups, but it was evident once the race started that not many people followed them. I had to swerve around several strollers even though I lined up towards the front. The weather forecast was calling for storms, so they made an announcement that the race would go on if it was raining, but once lightening was spotted, they would "turn everyone around." The race started in the rain, and it did thunder a few times by the time I reached the turnaround point just past mile 2. Apparently they started making people turn back early around mile 1.5. However, these people took up the entire width of the path (it would have been helpful if they were advised to stay to the right). The course looped back towards the zoo entrance and was supposed to make another loop south of the zoo, but everyone was stopped as they passed the zoo entrance and told to walk even though it didn't seem like it was thundering any more at that point. Because the 10K was cut short, the zoo was inundated with both 5K and 10K runners all at once, and I chose not to wait in very long lines get post-race refreshments. Unfortunately, the gear-check was poorly organized and I had to wait in line for 45 minutes to get my bag. So, three things I'd like to see improve before I do this race again: packet pick-up, gear check, and weather contingency plan.

Despite a disappointing morning, it made me smile when another rain-drenched runner walked over to his son (who had been waiting patiently under a tree for his dad to get his gear) and enthusiastically said, "Let's go see some animals!" I guess that's what it's all about!