The Brookfield Zoo Run Run for Animal Care and Conservation Fund was held on Sunday, September 21, 2014 with an 8:30 AM start (this was chip timed, but there was also a fun run that started 8:40 and a fun walk at 8:50 that weren't timed - - though I saw most people just started when they wanted, not at the times stated). There was packet pickup on race day beginning at 7 AM - you had to look up your number posted on a cork board and then line-up in the appropriate line (there wasn't a line for my number). I think they had pickup on two other days as well, but I couldn't make it. The packet was your bib. safety pins if you needed them, and your cotton t-shirt; being a zoo they are more environmentally/animal friendly and don't use plastic bags. OK with me. This race is very family-oriented, so lots of smaller children and strollers. There was one water station around mile 1.5.

Things I liked:
• The money raised helps animals (especially the endangered kind)! How could you not love that?
• Parking and zoo entry was free with paid race entry, and family members not participating in the race that were in cars with participants were free. The only thing - you can't leave the zoo and re-enter (you'd have to pay then).
• The entire course is inside the zoo.
• The volunteers and zoo employees were supportive and energetic.
• Clear course markings.
• Banana and bottle of water at finish.
• Cups of Gatorade at finish.
• Able to wander the zoo after the race and check out the animals. Perfect time of day, as most are awake and active.
• The price of the race wasn't bad - especially since it's going to a good cause - $30 for timed race, $25 for fun run/walk was starting price, and race day ended with $40/$35.

Things I didn't like (or others might not like)
• Cotton shirt - not a fan of cotton race shirts, personally. I understand tech shirts can raise the price, I just really like tech shirts over cotton. They get more use :)
• The course has a LOT of twists and turns, which can be a pain when you're in a big crowd - also had to be careful of dips or sewer type grates on the sides (could roll an ankle if not careful). Of course, it's the way it has to be in order to have the whole race in the zoo. Just something to think about it you hate that sort of thing ;) And also to be aware and careful of your footing if you are clumsy like me.
• Some parts of the path are small, so with congestion can slow you down.
• Had to be more alert than usual because of smaller children running in and out/stopping in front of you. Also, large groups of people walking/running together, which made it hard to pass at times (again - it's a fun run/walk, so not as many people that are regular races and don't know etiquette).
• There were min/mile pace signs for people to line-up in, but was just going off the honor system (didn't need to give an estimated finish time) - - so lots of people in the wrong lines. I think there might have been some confusion for those doing the walk for fun, as there wasn't a line-up for them, and I think some started before the runners.

Obviously, this is more a fun run than anything else, so I wasn't trying to PR or anything, and didn't mind the kids or congestion. I was out there having fun and enjoyed running by all of the animals in their habitats. Just wanted to make note of these things for others, if they're the kind of things that help make a decision to register or not. This is definitely more of a race you do to help the CZS (Chicago Zoological Society) and to have fun with your family.

This was my third year doing it, and it certainly was better than the first year (2011) - much more organized with race day packet pickup. Overall I'd say it was a nice race, and it was great to see so many families out there together being active and having fun.

This race was held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 (originally slated for September 20) across the street from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

My biggest gripe about this race was it's lack of communication. I had registered in November, marked the day in my calendar, and didn't really look back at the site until about a month ago when I was thinking of changing from the 10k to the half marathon. To my shock, the date and location had changed! I knew location was TBD, but not the date. I never received an email alerting me to this change, and therefore had registered for a race on the day that this race had changed to. Quite frustrating. I got PLENTY of emails reminding me of price increases and to tell my friends, but never an official emailing telling me about a date change. Just an email with a subject 'Date and location change' with a short paragraph about it all would have sufficed.

Also, I knew parking wasn't great in Lincoln Park area and it would take a loooong time to get there if I took public transportation. I ended up pre-paying for parking at a parking lot about .75 miles from the race start. I'm glad I did, so I didn't have to waste time driving around looking for something. I noticed that people were also parking in the Zoo lot.

I registered early for the series (registered/raced Polar Dash, Get Lucky, Women Rock, and Monster Dash), so I had the option to have gear/bibs shipped to my house at a low rate, so I didn't need to attend the expo.

Ok, let's get to the more fun part... things I (or noticed others) liked about this race:
+ great swag - women's cut, performance, full-zip running jacket.
+ sterling silver finisher's pendant with a sapphire and diamond (instead of finisher medal).
+ you had the option to pre-pay for a medal as well as receiving the necklace (last year you could exchange necklace for medal, not sure if you could this year too).
+ option to register for 5k, 10k (chip timed), or half marathon (chip timed).
+ walker-friendly.
+ great post-race party: chocolate milk, bottled water, yogurt, bag with banana, Larabar, potato chips, raisin bagel, champagne (or pear moscato) in a glass flute that you get to keep.
+ could take pictures with hunky men in front of a backdrop or a Women Rock car.
+ DJ and tables to sit at in the party area.
+ Great volunteers.

Things I didn't like:
- lack of communication from race management regarding date change, location change, or about the series (you get series medal and medal holder for completing the series (had to have registered for them all at once, I believe, in order to be eligible) but had no idea when or how to get them).
- aid stations - they said there would be 4 aid stations for the 10k, but I only saw two, and it was only water (with the sun/heat, I sure hope they had sport drinks for the half marathoners).
- no corrals or wave start - the 10k and half marathon started at the same time, and the lineup was a bit of a mess — everyone just starting where ever they wanted rather than by pace. I found it incredibly congested for the entire race. People walking/running 3-4 abreast, which is poor etiquette (obviously not races fault, but annoying nonetheless). Very difficult to get around others.
- the entire course (especially paths prior to getting to lakefront) had potholes everywhere – I'm surprised I didn't hurt myself and can't imagine everyone made it out unscathed. I also had to do quite a bit of running on the grass to pass people, which isn't my favorite thing to do. The lakefront path also had a lot of cracks and holes, at least where we were running. If the course itself had a star rating, I'd give it a 2... scenery was great though, with the lake, harbor, skyline.
- at one point we got caught by cars going into a harbor parking lot, so had to stop for them. While there was someone directing traffic, drivers being cautious of runners/cyclists not stopping (so being told to go, but moving slowly or having to stop for those not stopping) made it a very slow/wasteful time for those racing.
- no clocks for mile markers, so I'd bring your GPS if you are interested in your time/pace. It seemed that the 10k markers were lacking... I only noticed mile 2 & 3, though it's possible I missed the others?
- course maps online weren't very clear - a bit confusing.

I'm usually pretty happy with this race series, but there were quite a few things this year with this race specifically that bothered me. The fact that I generally love these races is why it's so disappointing. It manages a 3 star because the swag is great. It doesn't take much to get a glowing review from me, as you can see from my high ratings on most races, but this race was lacking in a few areas. I'm on the fence about whether I'll be back again next year. I'm recommending only in hopes that next year will be better, and that usually I would definitely recommend because of swag and usual course.

I believe this was the fifth year for this race, though it was formerly known as Terrapin 5k. This was my first year racing it, and I didn't even register until Monday. Since I was so late registering, the fee was $45 + a service fee, which seemed a bit steep (though apparently not enough to prevent me from signing up!). Now that I've done it, I'd say it was a good bang for my buck.

Day of packet pickup was well organized, as was Gear Check. The race was organized by Corrals A–H with the corral each participant was in marked on their bib. There was a wave start, with maybe 2 minutes between each corral start. The post-race party was great – good food and beer, plus a bunch of bands playing, including Big Head Todd and the Monsters. I'd definitely run this race again, RAM Racing does a great job with organizing races, and their Swag is pretty sweet.

Things I liked about this race:
• race day packet pickup
• corral start
• 2 aid stations with water and gatorade
• plenty of port-o-lets that there were barely lines
• quality long-sleeved, technical half-zip in men's and women's cuts (women's were sold out when I registered, so got the men's, which I liked because it had blue instead of orange; the sizing was larger than I anticipated, but will definitely still wear)
• post-race party with amazing food (hot dogs, burgers, and veggie burgers with corn on the cob with the husk; condiments included butter, salt, ketchup, and mustard)
• Craft beer: this is what I like to see after a race! Bell's Brewery was there with three beers: Oberon, Amber Ale, and I think the third was their Pale Ale, but I can't be sure
• Reusable drawstring backpack with the logo
• Most people there to have a good time; with the rain/lightning making it unclear whether the race would be a go for sure or not, I noticed a lot of runners getting their beer and food prior to the race – loved that!

Things I disliked:
• I had to wait a bit for a burger (nothing to complain about, it was delicious and they were working hard on getting everything made – just a lot of people to accommodate).
• A lot of people were running or walking in threes or fours, making it hard to pass, which then required quite a bit of weaving, but that isn't the race organizer's fault.
• Having to run under McCormick Place – this area underneath the building is a bit hazardous. There's not enough lighting, and after the rain had made the ground slick (which is a bit uneven to begin with), I was nervous that people might fall and hurt themselves. I'm always very cautious when going under there, because I'm afraid I'll fall. I know it helps keep congestion down for both runners going out and those coming back, since it's wider than the lakefront path and brings us out onto a street until the turnaround, but it's a crummy area to have to run. However I get there's probably isn't a good workaround for it... just maybe include more lighting in there so people can see where they are going?

Overall, a great race. I really appreciated that the organizer's were taking note of the weather, and at one point had everyone go into the garage or underpass when lightning was sighted. Safety first.

Soldier Field is easy to access via CTA, and there were complimentary shuttles to Union Station after the race that ran from 8–10pm, which was a nice touch, though I didn't utilize it. Parking at Soldier Field was $20.

Definitely a fun race that I'd register for again :)