Fun Races For Runners In Chicago Area

I wanted to jump on here and share some cool events that are happening around the Chicagoland area that many runners probably aren't aware of but maybe they should be.  Midwest Event Management is a new Chicago startup event management company that has started putting on some amazing running events in the Chicago area for runners!  

The first one and most popular is the Shamrock 5k Beer Run in Arlington Heights, IL.  This annual race is in its third year and has over 2,000 runners annually.  What makes this race unique is that it is a beer run that has beer stations on the course!  That's right at every 1k mark instead of having a water station there is a beer station!  Runners don't run this race they attempt to stumble their way through it and the after party includes more beer!  

If that is too much beer for you then there are two other races that also include beer, but not until you finish the race.  All of this beer is included for free with the race entry fee.  The Cheers To New Year's 5k race is a fun race in Itasca that starts and finishes at a the Church Street Brewery.  So, you don't have to worry about the weather you can hangout in the brewery and after the race go back in and enjoy a free drink on them.  The Beer5k is the same model; however, it starts and ends in downtown Chicago on the lakefront!  This is a great event for runners and once they finish they can hangout at the brew-fest taking place.

The Wine Run 5k is a super fun race that involves free wine for runners. This race has expanded from the south side of Chicago to a few other wineries in Illinois and Wisconsin.  This is a great way to run a fun race, get a free wine glass, and a free shirt.  These events have grown in popularity and are growing each year you don't want to miss out.

There are many other fun and exciting events that Midwest Event Management are putting on.  So, instead of paying $30 for a plain 5k think about one of these fun events and get so much more out of your running!

Tips for Race Directors on Effective Race Starting.

If you are a race director and have a decent sized race around or well over 500 runners this is a must read article to make sure you take care of your start line. 

Tip #1: I was at the Joliet Park District Red Eye 5k with over 500 runners over the weekend and they did something that not many of our 250 races do that we time...  At the beginning of the race they had pacing signs for 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 minute miles for runners to line up appropriately according to their running time.  This allows for everyone to be properly lined up and will reduce congestion early on in the race. Also, your elite or more competitive will appreciate this as many times at races you have slower people that line up in the front of the line.

Tip #2: Have sound and a microphone.  If you have over 150 runners your voice will not be able to carry the crowd.  You will need to have a sound system at your start line.  If possible try getting a radio station to play music at the start line and use their microphone.  If that doesn't work hire someone to bring a sound system.  If J3 Timing is timing your race we can provide one for around $50.

Tip #3:  The more runners you have the wider your start line should be.  We recommend a 10 foot start line at minimum and after 500 runners you should add 5 feet in width of your line for every 250 runners.  So, if you have 1,000 runners at your race your start line should be at minimum 20 feet wide.  Most timing companies can't handle that wide of a start line.  J3 Timing can go as wide as 60 feet with steel trussing for your finish line.  That is something to consider when hiring timing companies and setting up your race.

Tip #4:  Make sure that your race is chip started by the timer.  This will allow for the most accurate race timing and runners expect this at most races.  Chip started races means when the runner crosses the start line the timing machine records a time and that is their individual start time.  So, if the race starts and the runner takes 3 minutes before they cross the start line they are not penalized for that. 

If you follow these four easy tips you will have a great start to your race and your runners will surely appreciate it and hopefully you will continue to grow your race!  Thanks for reading and please comment with your thoughts and/or expereiences!

Thanks!

Andy
J3 Timing

Beer Run 5k-A new Fad in the Running Industry

In the running industry there appears to be a movement towards fun races to increase the number of participants and less of an emphasis on competitive races.  Don't get me wrong there are a ton of competitive races and almost all of the 5k races are chip timed and competitive.  I am talking more about the color run 5k a fad that hit the nation a few years ago.  As the running industry evolves so does its races.  The new fad that I am seeing is the Beer Run 5k.  More participants are running then ever and part of that reason might be because their are simply better races out there now.

I am seeing more beer run 5k races popping up across the country.  One example of this is the Arlington Heights Shamrock Beer Run.  This race started two years ago and in its first year they had over 1,600 runners!  Let me explain what this whole beer run 5k is about.  Runners start the race with a 3 oz. drink.  Then at every 1k point in their 5k run they have a beer station... That's right a beer station where runners have the option to stop and have another 3 oz. beer.  If the runners are able to survive they end the race and it is a party where runners can rip off a free beer ticket that will get them a 16 oz. beer for the after party.  While participants might not be too worried about their time they are certainly having a blast at this race.  After the finish runners are able to hangout and interact with other runners and the breweries are present at the finish line for the runners to try other beers.  Each beer station is sponsored by a different brewer so you have the tasting options of five different breweries!  Then at the finish line you choose which brewer you want your 16 oz. drink from.  

There are options if the runners would like to stick around and enjoy the atmosphere of the race they are certainly allowed to purchase additional beer tickets for the after party.  The post race is filled with music and entertainment.  This race had a photo booth setup for pictures which the runners love!  

If you are a race director who runs a couple of events throughout the year I would recommend you add a beer run 5k to your race series.  It is great fun and the turnout is usually high for runners.  If you have any questions or would like more information please contact J3 Timing.

Six tips for race directors to increase their race atmosphere

Six tips for race directors to increase race atmosphere

There are so many 5k races out there nowadays. With the 5k market being saturated and runners having multiple races to choose from each weekend, it is important for the race director to create a fun and exciting race atmosphere for their event. Your goal as a race director should be to create a fun event, bring your runners back, and have your runners spread the word about how great their experience was at your race.

Tip #1: Invite vendors to setup at your race. You don’t want runners picking up their race bib and standing around for 30-45 minutes doing nothing. Invite running clubs, chiropractors, boy/girl scouts, sporting stores, and other organizations to make your race look official. This also gives your race the appearance that it is larger than it might actually be. If you have a smaller race your goal should be 3-5 vendors

Tip #2: Provide a coffee table. Having a coffee table setup for your runners, volunteers, and spectators is a small thing that goes a long way. A fresh cup of coffee in the morning will put people in a good mood to start their day. Try finding a local coffee shop to provide the coffee as a sponsor. If you can’t find a coffee shop to sponsor this service usually runs between $100-$200 depending on the race size.

Tip #3: Have music playing at your race and have it playing at least one hour before the race starts if not earlier. Playing music before, during, and after your race is key to pumping up the race atmosphere. Races that don’t have music are quite and boring. Runners are looking to have a good time and if you want your runners to come back music is a must have. I recommend getting a DJ or renting a speaker box that you can plug in an iPod or phone.

Tip #4: Don’t forget about the kids! You will have kids at your race and if kids are happy their parents are going to be happy and will want to come back next year. Think about having a balloon or face painting table at your race. If you have a bigger race budget a bounce house is a huge hit with children.

Tip #5: Display a hashtag for your event and announce it on the PA system. The concept of the hashtag (example #stockton5k) is to have all runners, volunteers, spectators to post their videos/pictures with your hashtag. This will allow everyone and the race director to search Facebook/Twitter to view all of the videos/pictures that were taken at the event.

Tip #6: Provide a photo booth. I would recommend having a photo booth with your races logo. This is an opportunity for people to take pictures with groups or by themselves and then they will share those photos. I mean who doesn’t like to pose for a good photo?

For more articles and running tips please visit www.j3timing.com