A Guide to the Race Course....

When we first starting planning the F.A.B. 5K, I thought the race course design would be the easiest thing. I have now learned that I have taken that aspect of running races for granted for many years. There’s lots to consider – measuring the course to a precise distance (no guarantees on that for our course – it’s all about how you take the turns!), busy streets, minimizing turns, Police coverage, scenery, etc. However, for our first year, I think we managed to put together a pretty respectable course.

Many marathons now have videos that take you through the whole course so you can prep for it. The F.A.B. 5K team is not at that level of technology yet, so I thought I would give you a narrative tour, you can also see the attached link for a preview:
http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=368281

The 5K begins and ends at Patton Elementary…you will be running out of the driveway, heading south on Patton, keep your eyes open for curbs and watch out for parked cars --- our course is open and this will be prime parking for race attendees here. Hang a right onto Maude for a short distance and then you will head north on Yale – note that there is a course cross-over at the intersection of Maude & Yale, so look for the faster runners making the turn to go south on Yale, be sure to cheer them on! You will pass Yale Court – this is the one mile turnaround for the fun run/walk. Right after that is the next turn, Lillian Ave, just a short jaunt on this and then you will head south again on Chicago for a short bit and turn back onto Maude. Now you can wave to the slower runners and walkers behind you at the crossover ;). Turn south on Yale, now you have a nice downhill stretch ahead of you with lots of shade. Be sure to wave and say ‘thanks’ to our volunteer course marshals and the Village of Arlington Heights Policemen who are helping to make sure you don’t get run over or go off course. At Elm, head east…look out for the water stop coming up at the Blue house on the corner of Princeton and Elm (this is at about 1.8 miles). Right after the water stop, head north on Harvard. This starts to begin a bit of the uphill portion of the route. You will run through scenic and shady Sherwood. Next turn is at Marion and then you will hit Yale again and the course should look familiar. Head north on Yale – you are in the home stretch, less than a ½ mile to go, time to turn it up a notch! Cut right onto Lynnwood, then make a quick turn onto Harvard, and then onto Maude. You will hit Patton Ave. and Patton School will be in your sights, there is no excuse to not sprint at this point. Head right past Patton, turn into the north parking lot, you should hear the crowds by now. Congrats…you are a finisher of the inaugural F.A.B. 5K!