The Lakefront 10 Miler was the 2022 RRCA National 10 Mile Championship!

CARA's Lakefront 10 Miler & 5K

• Chip-Timed 10 Mile and 5K

• Beautiful lakefront course, with unique run over Cricket Hill, and our exciting track lap finish!

• Unique Long Sleeve Performance Shirt

• Custom Designed Keepsake Race Bib

• Professional announcing by Chicago legend Dave Kappas

• Overall and Age-Group Awards

• Prize Money for Top Three 10 Mile Finishers

• 10 Mile is a CARA Runners' Choice Circuit Race!

• Finishers medal for all finishers.

• Athletic Brewing Co. post-race beverages

A portion of the proceeds from the Wintrust Lakefront 10 Miler & 5K go to fund CARA's efforts to provide hydration stations along Chicago's Lakefront.

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CARA hydration stations are welcoming to all trail users. Stations serve water and Gatorade Endurance during the summer months at eight different stations from Promontory Point on the South Side to Montrose Beach on the North Side. Additional stations are available during the winter and spring at select locations. 

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The hydration station initiative had $46,000 in expenses in 2021, and your support will keep these stations available.

Event Day Schedule​​

• 10 Mile & 5K (Both Distances Start Together)

  • 8:50 a.m. - Deadline to report to Start Wave

  • 9:00 a.m. - Start

Registration Fees

• 10 Mile:

  • $35 - Limited to first 100 registrations​ 

  • ​$45 - Through February 28

  • $55 - Through March 31

  • $65 - Through April 9

• 5K:​

  • $30 - Limited to first 100 registrations

  • $36 - Through February 28

  • $40 - Through March 31

  • $45 - Through April 9

• CARA Supporter Level Members - Save 10%! (Discount credited automatically with member login on form)

• Refund Policy: If this event is canceled due to COVID-19, participants will have the option to choose to receive a refund (minus transaction fees) of registration fees, or to receive a 110% credit of registration fees for any future CARA registration, or to participate virtually. Optional finisher medal fees are non-refundable. In all other circumstances, participants must agree that refunds and deferrals will NOT be issued for any reason, including participant injury, illness, personal conflict, and any other issues out of the control of the event, including, but not limited to cancellation due to weather/lightning.

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Course

• Description: The course begins on the Wilson Track and progresses along Chicago's scenic Lakefront Path. Throughout the course runners will enjoy breathtaking views of the lake shore, the Chicago skyline and those of Montrose, Belmont, and Diversey Harbors. Participants in the 10 Miler will run south to Fullerton before returning north to the Montrose Ave. tunnel. Participants in the 5K will split off at the first pass of the Montrose Ave. tunnel. In the final mile, 10 Mile and 5K participants will run up and down Lincoln Park’s landmark Cricket Hill, before an exciting finish on Wilson Track and into the finish!

• Miler Markers: Mile markers will be posted at each mile.​

• Aid Stations: Water and Gatorade Endurance be available at the start, finish and at aid stations along the course. Aid Stations will be located at 2.1 miles, 4.6 miles, 6.7 miles, and 9.2 miles. Medical support will be available at all on-course aid stations.

• USATF: Course certification numbers are: 5K = IL18015NM / 10 Mile = L21008NM (2022 certifications pending)

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Finisher Medals

• Finisher medals for the 10 Mile and 5K will be available to all finishers.

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Awards

• Awards provided to the top three overall individuals in the male, female, and non-binary categories in both the 10 Miler and 5K. Prize money will also be offered in the 10 Mile in male, female and non-binary categories only as follows:

  • First:​ $500

  • Second: $350

  • Third: $150

• Recognition awards provided to the top three in men's and women's categories in age-groups:

  • 10 Miler: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over

  • 5K: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over​

  • Note: Overall award winners will not be awarded in age groups.

• RRCA National 10 Mile Championship: The 2022 Lakefront 10 Miler is the Road Runners Club of America 10 Mile National Championship. National championship medals will be awarded in men's and women's categories for open (Overall), Ages 40+, Ages 50+, and Ages 60+. Participants will not receive awards in multiple categories.

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Packet Pick-Up ​​(Tentative)

• Monday, April 4, 2022

  • Wintrust Logan Square Branch (12:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.; from 5:00-5:45 p.m. packet pick-up will be available through bank drive-thru only)

• Thursday, April 7, 2022

  • Fleet Feet South Loop (3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)​

• Friday, April 8, 2022

  • Fleet Feet Elmhurst (1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)​

• Saturday, April 9, 2022

  • Fleet Feet Old Town (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)​

• Race Day - Sunday, April 10, 2022​

  • Wilson Track (7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.)​ ​

• Packet mailing is available during registration for a fee. To add packet mailing after registration, login HERE. Deadline to order is March 28th at Midnight CT.

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Travel / Parking

• Travel information may be found in the Participant Guide (Available March 2022)

• Parking: Free street parking is available within the park on Montrose Ave., Simonds Dr., Lawrence Ave. (except by Dog Beach0 and Foster Ave. Paid parking is available in the Chicago Park District lots at Wilson Dr. and Lakeshore Dr. (Wilson Lot) and at Foster Avenue and Lakeshore Dr. (Foster Beach), and Montrose Harbor Drive.

• Public Transit: The following bus lines will get you near the start; 78-Montrose, 81-Lawrence, 145-Wilson/Michigan, and 146-Marine/Michigan. Be sure to check the bus schedule with your desired departure time. The 145 and 146 routes start running later on the weekends. You may also take the Red-Line Train to Wilson and head east about one mile to the start.​

• Ride Share: Those traveling to the event by ride share should drop off inside the Wilson Lot. Ride share drivers will not be able to turn-around on Wilson Dr.

• Bike: Bike racks are available near the start/finish line for participants who choose to ride to the race. Please bring a bike lock. A Divvy station is located immediate adjacent to the start line.

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Event Capacity / Finish Cut-Off​

• Participants must finish within two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes after the last on-time start (no late starts).

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Start Wave Assignments / Procedures

• Participants in the 10 Mile & 5K will start together in the same corrals.

• Participants are to organize in self-selected start corrals by their expected run/walk pace per mile for their distance (Under 5:00, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, Over 13:00).

• Corrals signs with paces will be spaced to allow for the expected number of participants per pace to line up correctly. Participants are encouraged to line up by a pace that accurately reflects their intended average pace for the entire race.

• Each corral will be walked to the start line for a controlled mass start. Please remain behind the start corral volunteers for your pace until directed to start.

Participant Guidelines / Expectations​

• Participants are expected to wear a mask or face covering when gathering pre- or post-run until they are two weeks post full vaccination for COVID19. Per CDC guidance, fully vaccinated participants are not required to wear a mask or face covering while gathering pre or post-run.

• Do not participate if you are feeling sick or ill, and or have a fever, or if you are unvaccinated and have been in contact with someone unrecovered from COVID-19.

• Persons from high-risk groups for COVID-19 complications should consult their physician before participating.

• Participants are encouraged to avoid traditional forms of physical contact (handshakes, high-fives, hugs, partner stretching, etc.), as well as close group gathering (group pictures, etc.).

• Do not spit or blow nose while running in the group.

• Do not share personal items, such as hydration, energy gels, towels, etc.

• Participants may be required to exit programs/events temporarily or permanently should their actions not meet expectations and or they are creating risk for themselves or others.

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Gear Check

• Gear check will be available. The gear check area is not covered. Please bring a water proof bag in case of inclement weather.

Awards Ceremony

• An awards ceremony will be held for overall awards winners (top three).

• Age group awards must be picked up from the Results & Awards tent post-race. Awards will not be mailed.

Results Posting / Look-Up

• Results will be available for look-up kiosks at the Results & Awards Tent.

• Results will be posted live to the event website, allowing for participants to look up their results on mobile devices.