This past weekend, we closed out summer and began fall with the Prairie State Half Marathon & 10K. This festive race begins in downtown Long Grove and runs through the village’s scarecrow fest, which is a scenic delight. All Community Events hosts this event each year and draws hundreds of runners to this picturesque area, which is straight out of a Hallmark movie.

The races began in downtown Long Grove, surrounded by the shops and town square area. Runners began promptly at 8:30 am for the half marathon and 10K distances. All Community Events also offered an Oktoberfest 5K, which began at 8:55 am. 

Runners left the downtown area and encountered their first climb with a quick out and back for the first few miles. At mile 4, runners hit that same hill back toward the start line and headed south to weave through residential neighborhoods. The 10K runners split from the half marathon runners and headed to their finish, while the half runners kept tackling the rolling hills.

I love this course as you cross paths with other runners, nearly the entire time. I got to see many runner friends that I didn’t even realize were running out on the course. Cheers and high fives are given throughout as we did several circles out and back through the homes and winding streets.

Aid stations were placed throughout the course, which were very appreciated by runners as the temperatures climbed into the low 70’s by the end of the race morning. Water and Gatorade were plentiful, as was course support from race staff, volunteers, and spectators.

Runners wound their way back to the downtown area where they were greeted with a large medal and an even larger hot pretzel. What a way to begin the fall season and celebrate with your running friends at All Community Events. 

All Community Events Chi Town Spring Half Marathon & 10k Run

It’s pre-dawn and 46 balmy degrees in the Chi @ 6:30am. Runners, spectators and their canine buddies arrive one by one to participate & cheer at this annual event.

It’s the All Community Events Chi-town Spring Half Marathon & 10k Run and runners are fired up!!
Growing up in this town, the amazing sunrise over the City’s magnificent lakefront never ceases to amaze.

As we exit our vehicles to greet fellow runners & the loyal, phenomenal pacers, there’s the enthusiastic voice of a new race announcer who is just as excited as everyone else.

At 7am, the crowd gathers to their assigned corrals & we make sure our gps watches are set & our shoe laces are tied. And finally the announcer counts down the clock. And we’re off!

Runners from all over the Chicagoland area take off from Montrose Harbor, head north to the end of the mostly flat, sometimes hilly, sometimes muddy cement trail and loop around thru the gorgeous lakefront, heading back south.

Pretty soon, 45 degrees feels like 65 then 70 degrees as the adrenaline flows faster and faster. As the 10k and half marathon runners cross the coveted finish line, approximately 1-4 hours later, there’s foot-stomping throwback music and fragrant Portillos hot dogs, garden dogs & beef sandwiches are wafting through the air.

And of course there are vivid backdrops to take even more selfies with well-earned medals on our necks to brag about & show everyone.

It’s a beautiful spring day to be exhilarated that the race season in Chicago is underway!

* Race recap done by Alice Henry, avid runner and Ambassador for All Community Events