This was our first time running the Edison Park Turkey Trot and def had a great time!
Price was just right…under 40 bucks for this local race, benefiting Bear Necessities.
I liked that packet pick up was the week leading up AND at multiple locations.
I loved the start line and the incredible National Anthem with a saxophone accompaniment. Just wonderful.
Loved the easy course, loved the neighbors out to cheer on the runners, offering water, beer and liquid encouragement in the form of shots😂
We finished the race happy!
Only gripe is no tracking of time. I wish they did that.

This is my third time running, second time pacing, the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot.
It was sooooo cold at the start, 2 degrees with the wind, but that didn’t stop us runners from toeing the line.
Packet pickup was easy…a couple of days during the week leading up to the race AND race morning! Thank you for this!!!
Fire pits and outdoor heaters were scattered around the start line to keep us runners warm.
The race started on time with a lovely rendition of the National anthem and off we were! I paced the 10mm with Dick Pond, there were pacers from 7mm to 13mm for both the 5k and 10k. The 5k course was a nice out and back, easy peasy.
The medal was nice, the soup in the post race tent hit the spot.
Can’t wait until next year!

This was my second year running the Bucktown 5k.

Pearls from this race experience:
-easy 5k course, pancake flat streets of chicago
-easy street parking, I got to the race about 35 minutes before start and found a spot no problem.
-volunteers are awesome, lots of enthusiasm and cheering on the runners
-Chicago Police Department kept our route safe from cars, even the one fool who thought he could go around the horse blocking the street
-zip up hoodie, very cozy and lightweight, I’ve not taken it off since I got it
-donut at the end, it was good
-completed the Run This Town series and got a really blingy medal

If I could change some aspects of the race experience I would have another day of packet pickup maybe in the burbs or have race day packet pickup…there was a LOT of chatter amongst different running groups and from runners in line for packet pickup about only one day of pickup. For those of us that work different hours or not live in the city or whatever it may be, one day of pickup down in Old Town at Fleet Feet was rough. I went at 10am and the line was already around the block. The line moved well, but it was also during normal business hours at Fleet Feet which caused more chaos and people not knowing what is going on. The race does give you an option to have your packet mailed, but for over 20 bucks, I’m not trusting that it will come to me before the race.
I would also make the one aid station on course available to runners going out and coming back, like put it in the middle of the street.

Overall, it’s a good local race, easy to access and you get a donut and cool hoodie.

This was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to run the North Shore Classic Half and it did NOT disappoint.

Packet pickup was easy…a friend got my bib and pullover for me. Pickup was at the Fleet Feet Running store and for two days before the race.
We drove up to Highland Park from
Chicago, quick 25 minute drive up Green Bay Road. Ample FREE parking. Couldn’t have been easier!!
The starting/finish line area had ample porta potties, gear check, space to meet after.
The 5k started first at 7am after the National Anthem was sung. The woman who performed did a great job! The 5k got off right away and we had until 730am to get in our corrals.
The corral volunteers were chill and not power hungry like other races may have. They were great high school kids. Can’t say thank you enough to all the volunteers.
Aid stations were well placed, well managed and had water and electrolytes on course. I enjoyed the energy the volunteers had at them. Def helped to keep my energy up.
A special thank you to the Highland Park Police department who kept the roads safe for us. Between bikers zooming past and cars coming by as the one side of the road was still open, they did an excellent job of traffic and safety control. Thank you!!
The course was great, I’ve never ran up in HP so it was a treat for me to see something different than the chicago lakefront path.
Rolling hills through the course except for Mike 7…HUGE MOUNTAIN 😂
We got to run through Ft Sheridan and see the old homes which was a treat.
The finish line was spectacular. Music, cheering, pictures, bagels and cream cheese and medals!

I def recommend this race to anyone who wants a change of scenery and a moderate sized race. I cannot wait to run it again next year.