A party broke out at the 15K

Reflections on the Hot Chocolate 15K Run, Chicago

What if race organizers put together a community run and a party broke out? That’s exactly what happened last week, November6, 2010. The Illinois Bone and Joint Institute sponsored a 15K run in Chicago, on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. No doubt there was a bone chilling breeze nagging at all the runners prior to the start. A few minute before the 15k a shorter more doable 5K was scheduled. There must have been thousands of runners still trying to locate the bag check-in tent when the horn for the 5K sounded, but there was nary a sign of panic anywhere. There were so many runners that before the last wave of chocolate lovers crossed the starting line, the first wave of finishers had arrived and were anxiously looking for the chocolate fondue tent. That’s when I realized this was a party, not a race.

The race announcer added to the mayhem by letting everyone know that Dr. Oz was in the reviewing stand and would be available after the race. The ladies, and some of the guys, went gaga upon hearing that their hero was here. All the 15K runners were called to the starting corrals, but we didn’t all fit. I was one of the many runners left outside of the corrals hoping to get in. I wondered to myself, “where from have all these avid runners come”?

These weren’t all runners. These were all chocolate lovers at best or chocoholics at worst. There were so many runners it took me more than 6 minutes just to inch up to the start line after the horn was sounded. It was the third mile before I could get free from the casual joggers and walkers. By the time I hit my full stride, the finish line came up on me and the race was over, but the fun was only beginning.

There was no finishers’ medal, but I don’t think anyone noticed. There was a mad dash to the chocolate tents and the sponsors did not disappoint. What a delicious, well prepared treat! I had signed up hoping for a tune up run before my January half-marathon and I got more than I bargained for. I will permanently put this race on all my future calendars. On top of all this joy, I was celebrating my birthday. There is nothing like celebrating your birthday with 30,000 of your closest friends over a bowl of steaming hot chocolate.

Chocolate does soothe the Whole Runner’s tummy.