Joliet Park District’s
Run3 Race Series
Joliet Park
District offers a great series of 3 races throughout the year. All 3 races are held in or around Joliet , IL , which is
approx 1 hour southwest of Chicago . All 3 races are also located just a few miles
off of Interstate 80, so they are also easy to get to. The first race is held in the Spring, the
second is in the Summer and the third and final race is held in the Fall. For completing all 3 races, participants
receive a fabulous hooded sweatshirt. This
year’s hoodie was a charcoal gray color and 2011’s was a basic black. I wear both of mine ALL THE TIME.
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Race #1: Rockdale Ramblin 10k
The first
race of the series is held in April in Rockdale, IL which is right off of exit
131 on I-80. This 10k is declared the
“toughest course in the Midwest ” because of some
major hills. The weather was perfect
though, with some chilly temps and overcast skies so the hills didn’t seem so
bad (to me at least).
Pre race with some
friends! (Mag Mile Runner)
During the
race, I somehow forgot that this course was TOUGH and I wasn’t supposed to be
running as fast as I was. I was on track
to cross the line with a PR if I just held onto my 7:15 pace… Sure enough, I got to the finish line and my
Dad snapped this pic of me…
Crossing the finish
line with a shiny new 30 second PR! J
At the
completion of the 10k, finishers are awarded a “dog tag” as a token of their
achievement. That’s one of my favorite
things about JPD’s races… there always have finisher’s medal’s!
Notice the gray
hoodie that I’m wearing in the above photo… this is the official race shirt for
the 10k!! Down the left sleeve is written
“TOUGHEST 10k IN THE MIDWEST.”
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Race #2: Sundowner 5k
The 2nd
race of the series is held in mid July, on a Thursday evening at 7pm. For this years race, it was extremely hot and
humid and race organizers encouraged participants to simply run for fun. I listened to what they said and therefore
finished with my worst 5k time in many years… because of this, I finished just
out of contention for an age group award.
L
The course itself for this race is
very pretty. It is basically just 2
loops through a pretty forest preserve.
There are a few rolling hills but nothing too challenging at all.
Basic white tech tee
(unisex sizing)
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Race #3: Red Eye 8k
The 3rd and final race
of the run3 series is the Red Eye 8k.
Held on a Sunday in November, this race starts super early, at 7:15am. It begins at Inwood Memorial Stadium on Jefferson Street in
Joliet . The course winds on streets, down a path,
around St. Joseph ’s
hospital and then back to Inwood, where the finish is on the blue running
track.
Frankfort/New Lenox runners post race
JPD gives
out age group awards for total time to complete all 3 races in their
series. I was lucky enough to earn first
in my age group (25 – 29) and got to take home the pint glass in my right hand
(above). Also, I am wearing this years
run3 sweatshirt in the above picture.
Run3 Goodies:
·
Rockdale Ramblin – Great quality gray hooded
sweatshirt, finisher’s dog tag medal and yellow age group coaster
·
Sundowner 5k – White tech tee and finisher’s
medal
·
Red Eye 8k – Black long sleeve tee shirt, finisher’s
medal black age group coaster
·
Run3 series – Charcoal gray hooded sweatshirt
and age group pint glass
I LOVE THIS RACE SERIES!!!
More information can be found @ http://www.jpdrun3.com/. The dates for next year have already posted,
so be sure to mark April 13th, July 18th and November 3rd down on your calendar!!
Super cool, Nicole! Great job running and guest blogging!!
ReplyDeleteI really loved the Rockdale Ramblin Run 10K! The hills were challenging, but my favorite kind of challenge!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting your pr on the toughest 10k in the Midwest. Wow!
ReplyDeleteGood job / post. I only got to run the Sundowner but it was a nice change of pace since it was at night, gave out a sweet tech shirt / medal, and had a nice cookout. These races are nice because I live in the Lockport area and look to run all 3 next year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great series of races, just my length too - 5-10km, what a great idea! Enjoyed your guest post:)
ReplyDelete