Race Day Information
RACE WEEK INFO:
Below you will find all the information you'll need for race day.
WHERE/ WHEN/ HOW:
WHERE:
Arrington Lagoon, south end of Centennial Park, Evanston. Located on Sheridan Rd, at Church, just south of the Northwestern campus.
IMPORTANT: If you are picking up your race packet on race morning, plan on arriving around an hour before race time to give yourself enough time to park, pick up your packet, and get ready to run. The later you arrive, the longer the lines may be, so be sure to arrive early! If you have already picked up your packet, we recommend arriving about 45 minutes before race time.
WHEN:
Race time is at 9:00am. Second wave at approx 9:05am. Walker wave will start shortly after.
IMPORTANT: If you plan on running slower than a 29:00 overall time, you should line up in the second wave. (If you plan on running faster than that time, you should line up in the first wave.) The waves will be done by honor system, so please line yourself up accordingly. Wave 2 will be walked to the start line after the first wave has started and will have a second air horn when it is time to start. Your timing chip will not start until you cross the starting mats. We will have signs out with paces on them to help you determine where you should line up for the start of the race.
If you are walking the 5k, please line up in the Walker Wave at the back. There will be a sign to direct you. The Walker Wave will follow behind Wave 2 to the start line.
DIRECTIONS:
Directions and parking info can be found HERE.
If you have not yet picked-up your race packet, we recommend arriving before 8:00am in order to have enough time to park, pick-up your packet, stretch, and check your gear. The later you arrive, the fewer parking spaces there will be close to the start line and the longer the line to pick up your packet will be. Please plan accordingly. If you have picked-up your race packet ahead of time, we recommend arriving about 45 minutes before race time.
COURSE:
A course map can be found HERE.
The start line is on Sheridan at Church. The course will head north on Sheridan before going west on Lincoln, circling around Long Field, and entering NU's campus. Runners/ walkers will run through the campus, onto the lakefill path, and finish on the Evanston bike path.
There will be arrow signs and course marshals along the course to guide the way.
There are no dogs, bikes, or rollerblades allowed in the race. If you are pushing a stroller, you must start in the back of your wave at the start. No exceptions.
TIMING:
Your timing chip will be attached to the race bib. Do not remove the timing chip. No chip = no time.
Pin the race bib flat on your front. Do not crumple or bend the timing chip before pinning it on.
MASK POLICY:
Since the event is outside, we do not require participants to wear masks during the event, but we do suggest that masks be worn while in more crowded areas, such as before and after the race.
If you feel ill on race day, please do your part in keeping others safe by staying home.
GEAR CHECK:
Gear Check will be located in the Arrington Lagoon Pavilion, at the rear doors. Look for the GEAR CHECK flag. If you wish you check any of your gear, please remove the "Gear Check" tag from your race bib and pin it to the bag you will be checking. Hand it to the gear check volunteers at the shelter. You can retrieve your gear after the race by showing the volunteers your race bib. Pinning your "gear check" tag to your bag before you get in line is recommended. Note: Your timing chip may be longer than your bib and may be exposed when you remove your gear check tag from your bib. This is okay.
Please do not check any items of high value. We are not responsible for any lost items.
AID STATION:
There will be an aid station with water located just before the 2 mile mark.
Keep Evanston and Northwestern clean! Please be sure to use the trash receptacles for any garbage.
BEAT THE TURKEY CHALLENGE:
Back again is our Beat The Turkey Challenge. Anyone that crosses the finish line before our Flying Turkey will receive an "I Beat The Turkey" button.
Runners must cross the finish line before The Turkey to receive a button. Chip times do not count. Our Official Turkey will carry a sign indicating it is him, so you don't get him confused with any other runners that might be dressed up and on course. (He will run the race somewhere around 21 minutes, so get your fastest shoes on.) The Turkey will start in the first wave.
POST RACE:
After the race, you will find water and snacks back at the Arrington Pond Shelter. They are in two separate areas to help the line move a little faster.
RESULTS AND AWARDS:
Results will be posted online HERE by 3pm on race day.
Age Group Awards can be picked up at the announcer's tent after 10:15 (after the awards for the top three overall have been handed out). If you think you won an Age Group Award, go to the tent and they will verify you earned one and give you your ribbon. The Awards Ceremony will be for top three overall males and females only. The Awards Ceremony will start around 10:15am. If you won an award but were not able to pick it up, we will mail your award to you.
The top three overall males and females will receive plaques. The top three finishers in each age group will receive a ribbon. Age groups are in five year divisions from 14 and under to 85 and above. For awards, the top three male and female runners will be determined by gun time and age group awards will be determined by chip time.
OLD HATS:
Do you need a replacement for one of our previous winter hats or did you miss a year that we had a design you loved? We will have winter hats from previous years available at the race site for $5 each. Cash only.
