Ditka Dash 5K

Fun concept… but holy moly is it crowded… and there were a TON of walkers at this race.
They redeemed themselves with free beer and a good band at the end of the run. Gear check went really smoothly. TONS of port-​a-​potties. Lot’s of fun give-​a-​ways.
Not a runners race at all…

When I first heard about this 5K and saw the fun swag we would receive (T-​shirt, adhesive mustache, sunglasses and a beer ticket) I knew I had get IN on it. I mean, it’s DITKA!
Online registration was a breeze, but the event sold out quickly. You also got to choose your time start by the hour and by the time my friend and I registered, the only available start time was 1pm. I really wanted to star earlier, but I think it kind of worked in our favor – more on that later.
Packet pick up was only available at Soldier Field’s United Club. If you had to drive, they offered discounted parking at the Soldier Field lots. Pick was was really easy. It was very organized and we got our bibs and swag very quickly. I know this was the inaugural year for the Ditka Dash, but I hope they can offer mail-​in packet pick up in the future.
The race is run on the Lakefront path starting at Soldier Field, going south and then looping back on the same path. Because it’s the lakefront path, you have to be aware of «regular» runners and cyclists that might be out doing their own fitness thing that day. Because of that, I think that our 1pm start time worked well because it was mostly Ditka Dash runners/​walkers that clogged up the path. That being said, it was hard to pass up runners/​walkers because you only have the path to use. This is not a timed event, just the digital clock at the start and finish of the race.
The pre and post race area was a lot of fun. There was a band, booths selling Ditka T’s, a photobooth, food stalls and the beer truck. How perfect that you can purchase post-​race eats like Chicago Style hot dogs, chili, Polish sausage after running your 5K.
Since we were in the last wave, my friend and I joked that we’d be so slow that everyone would be gone by the time we finished our course. But not so, there were still a lot of people hanging out, listening to music, taking pictures in their best Ditka poses. Very lively atmosphere. The post race volunteers handed out water, fruit snacks and granola bars once you crossed the finish line – that was really unexpected, but very nice.
It was a really fun event (coupled with gorgeous weather that of course Mike Ditka probably had a hand in planning). Tons of photo ops along the lakefront, friendly and fun atmosphere. I’d do this run again.