Summer road races step off soon. Is one right for you?
One of the surest signs of summer in the suburbs is the plethora of road races popping up throughout Cook, Kane, Lake and DuPage counties.
Area running clubs are on hand to help provide training and support to both beginning runners, and those who are more experienced, looking to better their race times and complete longer distances such as a 10K, half marathon, or even a marathon later in the fall.
“We see a lot of people, who if they start now and have the desire, go from their couches in the early spring to half-marathon shape by Thanksgiving,” said Nick Hurley, manager of Dick Pond Athletics in Hoffman Estates.
Dick Pond, which has locations in Lisle, St. Charles, Park Ridge, Hoffman Estates and Palatine, offers a “Walk 2 Run” program for beginning runners — a sequence that pairs running intervals with bouts of walking, eventually increasing endurance so participants can comfortably run for 30 continuous minutes.
Following that, Hurley said, runners can — and often do — tack on more advanced training plans for longer distances.
The key?
“Making sure you stick with things and are consistent about training and staying in shape,” Hurley said. “If you train for a 5K and then stop for four weeks, you'll wind up right back where you started.”
Here's a look at a number of our favorite area races and running clubs that will help you put your best foot forward at the starting line.
Training runs
Walk 2 Run: Dick Pond offers “Walk 2 Run” workouts at each of its five suburban locations. The first of four training plans wraps up on Memorial Day weekend, with the second beginning Monday, May 30. For more information, www.dickpondathletics.com/info/walk-2-run.
Arlington Trotters: A quirky and welcoming community, this long-standing group offers a number of weekly workouts for runners looking to up their training regimen.
These include speed workouts every Wednesday from April through September at Melas Park, 1326 W. Central Road.
The club also has a standing 8-mile Busse Woods Run each Saturday at 7 a.m., at the northwest corner of Arlington Heights Road and Higgins.
If you'd prefer to do your longer run on Sunday, the group meets in Barrington at 7 a.m. Sunday mornings for a 10.6-mile loop. The Sunday run begins in the Ace Hardware Parking lot, 950 S. Northwest Hwy., Barrington.
For more information, www.arlingtontrotters.com/Training/.
The Alpine Runners: This group has a Tuesday evening Fun Run. To participate, meet at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Zurich Barn located on Rand Road, ½ mile north of Route 22. Distances vary from 5½ to 7 miles. Call Beth Onines at (847) 209-8843 for more details.
Fan favorite
Roselle Run for the Roses: At 8 a.m. Sunday, June 5.
Through the years the Roselle Run for the Roses and Youth Event has grown to boast roughly 1,000 participants. Free child care, pony rides and a petting zoo for kids is part of the package deal, making it a great family event.
Count on the course being reasonably fast and flat. An oblong loop, it starts on Bryn Mawr Road between the Roselle Park District Clauss Center and Lake Park High School West Campus. It continues through the Waterbury subdivision and winds back to end in the North end of the Lake Park West Campus parking lot.
To register, www.run4roses5k.com/.
Off the beaten path
The Great Western Freedom 4 Run: Monday, July 4, in St. Charles.
This is a trail run that's a popular event for suburban powerhouse cross-country teams in the Fox Valley.
The flat, gravel course kicks off from the Big Red Barn at the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve at 8 a.m., leaving plenty of time for you to finish and get to your favorite Fourth of July parade in time.
To register, www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/113132/SMUCalendar.
Something different
Geneva's Summer Sunset 5K: Wednesday, July 27, at Geneva High School.
This offers a break from the typical early Saturday morning start time for races and gives runners the opportunity to take in a sunset while working toward that new personal best.
The race kicks off from Geneva High School at 7:05 p.m. with a youth mile, junior jog and toddler trot beginning at 6:15 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds from race registration will help fund the Fox River Trail Runners college scholarship program.
To register, www.foxrivertrailrunners.org/summersunset.
Longer distances
Wheaton's Windrunner 10K: At 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21
This race is organized by the Lisle Windrunners running club. The race is run entirely within the forest preserves of Danada and Herrick Lake with little public traffic, except perhaps, some wildlife.
Proceeds from the race benefit Illinois Special Olympics.
To register, www.windrunners.org/windrunner-10k.html.
The 38th Annual Alpine Races: At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, in Lake Zurich.
The races include a half-marathon and 5K course, run through the streets and along the shores of Lake Zurich. Gatorade, Water, and time splits will be available along the course.
Proceeds benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, the Lake Zurich High School girls and boys cross-country teams, and the Richmond-Burton girls and boys cross-country teams. To register, www.alpinerunners.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=857296&module_id=23355.