The New Balance Ready to Run 20 Miler

The New Balance Ready to Run 20 Miler is a twenty mile, supported long run that precedes the LaSalle Bank Chicago marathon by three weeks and coincides with the culmination of CARA’s Marathon Training Program. On September 16, over 3,000 athletes will take on the challenge of running the entire Chicago Lakefront – top to bottom! This run will include a point to point course with transportation, ten fully stocked aid stations, a wave start with timed pace groups, finisher’s premium, and finish line celebration. Join CARA on September 16th as we do what we do best – get YOU ready to run the best race of your life!

Cost:
2007 CARA Marathon Training Program participants: FREE (participants must register by August 31)
CARA Members: $25
Others: $45

Date
Sunday, September 16th. Wave starts will begin at 7:00 AM

Location
Foster Avenue and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL

Course Information
The course is a point-to-point course which starts at Foster Avenue and runs north to Hollywood before turning south to follow the entire Chicago lakefront path, finishing at the historic and beautiful South Shore Cultural Center. Click here to view the course map

Wave Start
Runners will step off according to pace in groups of 50 runners at a time, spaced one minute apart. The faster runners (7:30 minute/mile) will start first, and be followed by subsequent groups (8 minute/mile, then 8:30 minute/mile, etc.) This event is NOT a race, but a training event. Runners will be led by pace group leaders to maintain a steady pace for the length of the run. Pace time should be selected at registration for proper wave group assignment. Wave start time will be given at packet pickup.

Important!
You MUST be able to maintain at least a 12:00 minute-per-mile pace in order to participate in this run. The course supplies and support may not be available to runners who cannot maintain a 12:00 minute pace. Pace leaders will be running the 20 mile distance stopping at aid stations for water and Gatorade. This is NOT a run/walk event.

Aid Stations
The course includes 10 fully supported aid stations, approximately every 2 miles. Ice Mountain water and Gatorade will be served at all stations, with additional nutrition available later in the course.

Transportation from Finish
Buses will leave South Shore Cultural Center every 30 minutes, beginning at 9:30 am, to transport runners back to Foster Avenue Parking lot. Due to limited parking, we encourage runners to carpool and/or use public transportation to the event start.

Gear Check
Runners will be able to drop their gear at the start, by 7:00AM, and retrieve their gear bag at the finish line.

Finish Line Celebration
The Finish Line Celebration is sponsored by Goose Island Brewery with music by Underwater People. After running twenty miles, you should celebrate! Runners can hang out and enjoy Goose Island beverages, post run snacks, and music by Underwater People. South Shore Cultural Center has a beautiful, lakeshore picnic area where runners can congregate to stretch, refuel, and dance if you want to! Click here to view the finish line celebration map.

Runner Premiums
All finishers are winners and receive a wonderful technical fabric running shirt proclaiming that they are finishers of The New Balance Ready to Run 20 Miler. You’ve done 20, you are ready for 26.2!

Packet Pick Up
Packet pick up will be available at the below times and dates. There will be NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP. Friends, co-workers or family members can pick up your packet for you if they have a print out of your confirmation email.

NORTH
Monday, September 10, 1PM – 8PM
New Balance store in Highland Park
610 Central Ave.
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-266-8323

SOUTH
Tuesday, September 11, 3PM – 8PM
New Balance store in Orland Park
16131 LaGrange Rd
Orland Park, IL 60467
708-364-8391
Directions: 1 mile south of Orland Square Mall (just south of 159th on LaGrange and next to Coldstone Creamery)

WEST
Wednesday, September 12, 3PM – 8PM
New Balance store in Oakbrook Terrace
17W 490 22nd
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
630-782-6730
Directions: ˝ mile west of Rt. 83 (next to Bennigan’s

CHICAGO
Thursday, September 13, 10AM – 8PM
Fleet Feet Sports, Lincoln Square
4555 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-271-3338

Friday, September 14, 10AM – 8PM
Fleet Feet Sports, Pipers Alley
210 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-587-3338

Saturday, September 15, 10AM – 6PM
Fleet Feet Sports, Pipers Alley
210 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-587-3338

Restrictions
The run is limited to 3,000 runners. We will close registration once we reach 3,000 participants. You must be at least 18 years old to participate. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Click here to register online