Riverside Independence Day 5K

The 4^th of July 5K in Riverside is my favorite. So far, I have ran it two years (2013 and 2014) and I plan to run it every year as long as I’m a resident of this lovely town. Race goodie bags are generally pretty good, including items like lip balm and a voucher for a free frapp from McDonalds. Last year, I got a really great coupon that got me $ 20 a purchase from Sports Authority for items I needed to purchase anyway (biking shorts and a triathlon waterproof watch), so entry into the race practically paid for itself. Every year, the moisture-​wicking t-​shirts are of high quality. If you’re small like me (5’2″, 105 – 110 lbs), I recommend choosing the youth large size shirt. Last year someone else picked up my packet + t-​shirt in too big of a size. The volunteers were awesome about letting me exchange for a different size.
The course is scenic. You get to run through beautiful Riverside, which has a number of stunning Victorian homes. The course brings you on winding roads, which are characteristic of the architecture of this town (the first planned community)! There are always people sitting in lawn chairs (waiting for the parade) who cheer on runners, which will help you get through it. There are runners of all ages, shapes, and sizes. A decent number of runners with jogging strollers go through every year, which I think is great!
For the end, be sure that you’re running over the proper finish line. Some people get confused and think they’ve finished. Watch carefully for signs. There should also be volunteers guiding you to be sure you make it to the finish. Upon finishing, find your supporters in the crowd, eat a bagel and some Gatorade, and stick around for the 4^th of July parade and Guthrie Park festivities that will immediately follow!

I am a volunteer at this 5k every year so am a bit biased but continue to volunteer because it is incredibly well run. A full staff of volunteers runs this like a well oiled machine. Every year it seems to go off without a hitch. The best part is that you get to run through historic Riverside. I find that the 5ks that I usually participate in are usually about the race… getting from point A to point B. Riverside offers a scenic course that makes it that much better.

Except for a year in Florida, I’ve lived all of my life in Chicago and today was the first time I’d ever set foot in the city/​town of Riverside. This may very well be the best kept secret in Chicagoland. Well, it has been for me, anyway.
A few fellow Unilocal runners and I were looking for a centrally located race where we could all meet and run together for the first time. For some, this was their first organized race EVER! This Riverside event was the first one suggested and after checking out the website, we all agreed it would be perfect.
It all started with the price. Only $ 25 for registration, which included electronic timing, bib and free T-​shirt (VERY nice, by the way). An early start (7:30AM) ensured the temperature will be cooler than the predicted high for the day, and the tree lined streets on the route insured it would stay that way. Plenty of winding curves along the way kept us focused on our pace and ample water stations kept everyone well hydrated. Heck, even a few of the residents were out with their hoses spraying us down as we ran by. A very welcome gesture, to be sure!
But for me, the best part of this race was the plethora of incredibly stunning homes that lined the course… each one, more beautiful than the last. I think I spent so much time in awe of the architecture and gardens here that the race was over before I knew it, much to my chagrin. After meeting up when our last member crossed the finish line, it seemed we all had the same experience and will definitely be back next year to do it again. Who knows? Maybe even sooner just for a visit!
It’s hard to imagine another 5K in Chicagoland that’s better that the Riverside Independence Day run. This one is sure going to be tough to beat… but I’ll keep looking!