I’m trying to get together as many Turkey Day race reviews as possible in case any of you are still looking for a race. Thanks again to Maggie of Run for Pi(e) for writing another great review!
Review of Downers Grove Bonfield Express 5K – review is of the 2010 race.
Registration: Online. Easy-peasy (I only mention this because there are still some races [I'm looking at you, park districts!] that do not have easy online registration)
Cost: $25. Race benefits a scholarship fund.
Packet pick-up: Easy. At the Advocate Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center. Ample parking. Pick-up was right inside the main doors. Not too crowded. I don’t remember what time I went though.
Swag: Long-sleeve purple shirt. It was cotton, so while it’s nice, it’s no tech shirt (we’re so spoiled), but I hear for 2011 they are doing tech shirts. They also had some samples – granola, etc.
Race Day: We lived less than a mile from the start line, so we walked. So I don’t know how the parking situation was. There is a parking garage, which was being used for post-race stuff so I assume closed off to race day parking, and there are also surface lots in downtown Downers Grove, but because of the course closures, I assume those were closed. So it was probably just street parking on side streets.
Start corrals: Marked by pace. We lined up around the 10 min/mile sign. However, the pace signs were easy to miss if you weren’t looking for them (i.e., if you’re not a runner, or don’t have much experience racing). As soon as we started moving, it seemed like we were the only ones that lined up around 10 min/mile that actually intended to run at that pace.
Actual race: WAY TOO CROWDED. Even though we lined up around 10min/mile, we had to weave around A LOT of walkers, and of course they are walking 2 or more abreast. And even once we got to a point where it was mostly runners, it was still so crowded. The course started in downtown Downers Grove, then went west through a wooded residential neighborhood. There was one stretch on some pretty narrow streets, and it was just so crowded. They also let people run with pets, and I saw a lady running with her dog and the leash almost clotheslined a child.
The race was chip timed. There was a water station halfway through, but I normally don’t take water during 5K races. There was some crowd support, mostly in downtown DG.
Finish: We were funneled into the parking garage for bananas, etc. Good idea to have it there in case it rained (it was overcast last year).
Overall: It was just too crowded on the course. According to the race results, there were over 3,400 finishers, and this race is on residential streets in a suburb, some of which are pretty narrow. If they are going to allow that many people into the race, they need to adjust some of the logistics. Some combination of better pace signs in the start area, a wave start for runners, a separate start 5 minutes later for walkers, no pets or strollers (or make them start with the walkers), or a separate race for the little ones. I don’t know if they are making any adjustments this year, other than adding tech shirts.
It’s fun to race on Turkey day, and this race supports a good cause, but personally I don’t think it’s worth it unless you live close enough to walk to the start, and are able to line up near the front of the pack. Or, if you’re a walker. Otherwise, check out one of the many other Thanksgiving races.
