Rudolph Ramble

*Information from site*
2015 Beanie Hat — 2 designs to choose from
DO-​RITE DONUTS, coffee and cider for every finisher
Holiday themed marketplace featuring local food and craft sellers
On course carolers from Lane Technical College Prep high school
Whether you run, walk, or just stand and cheer, you are invited to participate in Chicago’s Most Festive 8K and make spirits bright for youngsters in need by making a donation or contributing a new toy to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. The Rudolph Ramble 8K is a winter wonderland of music, local food and craft sellers, freshly prepared winter treats, holiday décor, photos with Santa and more.
The Donner Dash is designed for children ages 2 to 12 years, and takes place on a loop course on the running path with the start and finish in the heart of the festivities. The race will be staged in the following heats: Each child will receive a shirt, commemorative Donner Dash Medal that (doubles as a great ornament) and a candy cane.

I love the holidays! I bake my own gingerbread nativity scene, whip up my special blend of egg nog (the secret ingredient is myrrh), and always play Secret Santa at work, no matter how boring and predictable, and given the fact I work at home. How could I not sign up for the Rudolph Ramble 8k? They gave you a Norwegian ski cap and race day weather was mild and fair (like our criminal justice system — if you’re wealthy). Prior to the start of the race, a woman sang «Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer» and we were all given fun styrofoam antlers so we could feel like Rudolph (for that reason, I ran the race on all fours).
The race traced the familiar path along the lake front. Turnout was light but many of the people that turned out were not. I saw many walkers in the middle of the path. At least run along the side of the path. Not only do you not block runners, but you’ll have plenty of grass for grazin’ and if teens from the local town come and tip you over, you will not hinder oncoming traffic. When the race was over, I felt like it was Christmas morning when I got to the post-​race party. There were tables piled high with packets of Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Ritz crackers, CLIF bars, and bananas. I spoke not a word but went straight to work. And filled my pockets, backpack, and Norwegian ski cap, pushing people out of the way, like a jerk. And laying my finger aside of my nose, and ignoring the race director shouting «Somebody stop that guy!», bolted with my bros.
Some other notes. Results were available hours after the race, courtesy of the «Chronotrack B-​Tag Timing System.» It was part of your bib and tracked your time by hour, minute, AND second! Much preferable to the lame Chronotrack A-​tag timing system, which weighed 32 pounds, tracked only the year, and caused the wearer to be permanently sterile. The race featured a «Donner Dash» for kids ages 2 – 12. Also, some race proceeds benefited the Children’s Hospital. Granted, if you said, «I’m going to force my 2-​year old to do a run in the middle of December in Chicago,» I’m guessing children’s health is not your top concern. Registration came out to $ 48 online. I thought I could cut out the bogus
ordering fee by registering at the store. However, they just forced me to register with the store’s computer. Come on Fleet Feet! If I wanted to spend money on something that has absolutely no benefit to me, I’d still be paying taxes.

My cousin and I ran the Rudolph Ramble 8K in December 2014, and it was the best organized run I have ever done in Chicago! Admittedly, we really, really lucked out with weather as it was 50 degrees in December. And perhaps because it had snowed 8+ inches the prior year, participation was down (not sure, just a guess), meaning that the course was not overly crowded. I particularly loved that the race was mostly along the Lakefront path, but we weren’t tripping over other runners. Like most Chicago races, the course was flat.
Fleet Feet did a great job with entertainment. Santa was on site posing for pictures pre– and post-​race. There was a very large inflatable Reindeer, also great for photo ops. The race kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem and Rudolph the Red-​nose Reindeer. The atmosphere was very festive — I love the holidays!
Results were up on race day. Gear check was not crowded, and there was plenty of free food and Gatorade at the finish. The token race gift was a cute winter hat — a nice change from a t-​shirt.
I’ll be running this race again, though I’m guessing most December days aren’t so warm!