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Bucktown 5k
Category: Active Life Active Life [Edit]
Wabansia Ave & Marshfield AveChicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
- Nearest Transit:
-
Damen-o'hare (Blue Line)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
$150 for $200 Deal
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10 reviews for Bucktown 5k
10 reviews in English
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Review from Dianne S.
After running my first two 5Ks on the very same course near the LPZ, I loved the change of scenery in Bucktown. Definitely recommend signing up for this race early since A) registration is limited B) it's a very popular race for marathon runners to warm up C) just do it!
My goodies...this race is known for a great goodie bag & this year you got a heavy duty messenger bag, water bottle, and running gloves (that actually came in handy!)
Race on!...Running through Bucktown was awesome! Just like going for a leisurely run without having to look both ways at every intersection. Also love the fact that there was a car driving past us with a clock showing the time that had elapsed. Each mile marker had a timer too, so great way to stay on pace! Loved the neighborhood feel with families on the sidewalks cheering you on too.
This year the runner who was to finish first stopped and proposed to his girlfriend instead!! How romantic is that?!
Very well organized if you ask me. Porta-potties galore and tent after tent of refueling snacks post-race. Just couldn't find the dang water afterwards, but I was happy with my yogurty drink subsitute. Can't wait for next year!!Listed in: Run for it!
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Review from Tim M.
Chicago, IL
10/3/2011
I was excited about doing this race since I ran the Ravenswood 5k this year and had a great time. Figured that smaller community races are a fun time.
In the end, I can convince myself that I had fun, but there was a lot to be annoyed about. The track jacket seems decent. I think overall (and this was RAM's problem at Hot Chocolate too) the big issue was the crowd. There wasn't enough space for the nearly 5000 people to line up near the start (many people were stuck behind the school's fence as the gun went off), and the congestion was especially bad on streets with two-way running traffic. Some of the untowed cars made for fun obstacles!
If you're going for an informal, family feel, you'll probably have a good time. A few suggestions would make it better for everyone (especially those who would like to go a bit faster but aren't quite fast enough for the small and very limited start corrals): (1) follow Ravenswood Run's lead and put some pace suggestion signs up so people running 10-12+ min/mile (or walking) don't line up AS OFTEN near the front, (2) make sure everyone can get out into the starting area by not overselling the race, (3) figure out some way to allow for more than 2 chokepoints to enter the race start - I suppose I could have hopped the fence, but I didn't want to.
The lines for the taste of Bucktown were insane, also. Some of the food looked good, but I wasn't willing to wait for it. The free race food and supplies were good enough, I suppose.
Probably won't be up for doing this again unless I can get in a corral. One of my friends up there said it was perfectly fine. You could hear announcements, the anthem, and everything (I heard nothing from where I started - just barely made it onto the street at gun time). -
Review from Betty L.
Chicago, IL
10/2/2011
I ran RAM's Hot Chocolate race last year, and after today's Bucktown 5K, I can say that some things never change; RAM Racing still has a lot to learn about putting on a race. TOW the cars that are on the course! Some cars were towed, others ticketed, and numerous others were just left in the middle of the course, throughout the course. It would have almost been better (and less hazardous) if they had just left all the cars there.
The Finish line immediately after a turn in the road is a bad idea. A lot of runners I know sprint hard at the end, but without being able to see the finish line and not having a straight shot at it made that nearly impossible.
The clock also wasn't working as I passed the Start line, so I had no idea if I was 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc... off from their clock.
The roads were dangerous- there were a lot of orange cones placed over boards which were placed over what I assume are huge holes in the ground.
Yes, the track jacket was sweet. It was indeed family friendly and had a fun feel to it. Considering my main concern in a race is safety, I wouldn't run this race again, though. -
Review from Karen Anne B.
Riverside, IL
10/5/2010
2010 was my second year, and I think the best thing about this run is the swag bag. The route is a nice neighborhood route, but the streets are not in great shape and my friend rolled his ankle.
Their new "Taste of Bucktown" was not great. The items truly were just a taste at some booths, but it was a good effort.
I'll probably do it again if they continue to offer up some good stuff. -
Review from Joyce P.
Chicago, IL
8/19/2009
I'm surprised that I am only the 2nd person to Yelp this event. I should start out by stated that hard core serious runners may find this event annoying because the majority that participate are not hard core serious runners.
You have several camps that are part of the Bucktown 5k. You have kids, mom's with strollers, families, those starting to run and those who are participating in their last chance 5k one weekend prior to the marathon.
I've been on two sides of the spectrum of the Bucktown 5k-it is what I ran when i first began to run and I ran it the year I first ran the marathon. I don't mind the amateurs, walkers, families, stroller, kids, etc. It give the 5k a nice neighborhood feel to it.
This year will be my 4th or 5th Bucktown 5k and although the goodie bag has gone down a little-it has always been enjoyable and very well organized.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Chris L.
10/9/2008
This race truly is used by many to prep for the Chicago Marathon however, its still family friendly. The course is pretty easy and does have some spectators. The pace is a lot quicker than your normal 5k fun run.
Perhaps what this race is best known for is their goodie bag. They advertise their goodie bag to be worth around $100 bucks but I disagree. We got a great sweatshirt and reusable backpack but not worth $100 bucks. Wouldn't mind doing again. -
Review from Nikki R.
Chicago, IL
10/4/2011
I agree with Tim M and Beth L on this one. Yes the swag bag included a nice jacket but was annoyed by several things. No race day packet pick up was the first pain and then they ran out of my size jacket and I had to settle for a men's small. The start corrals were very limited. I usually run a 28-30 minute 5k but because I did not qualify for a starting position I was stuck behind walkers, strollers,etc... The entire time I was running I was trying to get around people. I have run dozens of races both lakefront and neighborhood but have never been bottle-necked before the race even started! Between the strollers and the untowed cars it really felt like an obstacle course. The two-way areas were the worst. Since it was so crowded I never even saw the 2 or 3 mile markers so I had no idea what my pace was. I am one of those people that like to sprint the last stretch but the literally you turn a corner and there it was. After you finished you had to fight your way to the water station where you poured your own water. The line just getting back in to the Taste of Bucktown area was long and then there were long lines for all the booths. We just left and didn't even stick around even though it was a beautiful day. This is not a well planned race in comparison to others I have run. My advice would be to limit the participation next year or drastically improve the logistics of the course. I would not recommend this race.
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Review from Dawn B.
Chicago, IL
10/4/2011
I thoroughly enjoyed doing this race and would run it again. The food samples afterwards from local restaurants were a nice touch too. The starting line needs more organization though. Two starting corrals just weren't enough and it was difficult to figure out where I should begin. I don't think they planned for 5,000 participants.
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Review from Sara G.
Chicago, IL
9/28/2009
This is a good warmup race for a marathon, or just for a short run. There are small crowds to cheer you on, and it goes by fast. Decent bag of stuff from some cool vendors too. Watch out for newbie runners here who might not otherwise follow etiquette experienced runners are used to.
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Review from Rebecca H.
Chicago, IL
10/4/2009
Easy peasy race no different from a morning run, except lots of traffic, street blocks, but there is some charity stuff involved and a cool prize pack for participating. Today I saw dogs, and jogging strollers. If you are a champion runner, this race is probably not your thing, but its good for everyone else just to get out for a good cause. Its well organized and they did a fun after party.
