The Lake Effect

“We should run the whole lakefront together. And have a trolley pick us up.”

What started as an idea from one of our South Loop Runners. We are doing it. The deposit has been made. And you wouldn’t believe how hard this was actually to put together.

How it works

1. SELF-Supported Long Run - This is not a race. Just a bunch of Chicagoans that love running on the lakefront. Treat this as your normal long run and carry your own hydration and nuitrition

2. The Trolley will be at 71st street (Mile 18) and depart at 10:00AM. You need to make sure you are able to plan and get there in time. If that means cutting your run short and hopping on a divvy or ubering, make sure you know the 10:00AM cutoff time.

There are only 30 spots to the trolley. We will have wait list if there is enough demand to fill another.

3. Choose your distance. We will have 2 route options: Full or Half Lakefront.
While we love for everyone to run the full length of the lakefront, we know not everyone can run 18.5 miles at this stage of the season.

FULL Lakefront Trail run (18.5 miles) starts at 6:00AM at Mile 0 Ardmore Avenue. We recommend you be able to accomplish this at a 12 min/mile pace or faster.

HALF Lakefront Trail run (9 miles) starts at 7:00AM at Agora Statues (Michigan/Roosevelt). We will try to link up with your pace group in Museum Campus. But depending on day of circumstances, this may not be possible. Goal remains the same. Get to the trolley before 10:00AM

4. Pay or not pay. Our goal is to build community. You can just run with us and opt out of the trolley and refreshments. You will need to find your own way home.

Since we are not making money from this event and assuming all cost risk, it would be awesome if you opted into the trolley. We are asking $55+ for the trolley ride that will be stocked with fun drinks, snacks, and toiletries to freshen you up.

5. Celebration lunch at Flo and Santos - Optional but if we get enough people, we'll get a catered lunch. Sounds like a good way to get back 2,000 calories. Plus the food is delicious. Asking for $25 which will be refunded if it doesn't happen. There will be a group that goes regardless. This is more for catering or organizing efforts.