An Open Letter to RAM Racing...

Dear RAM Racing,

I have been an active member of the running community in Chicago for just about a decade now. I have done a number of 5 and 10Ks, put on by all sorts of organizations. I have completed 11 half marathons all over the city and beyond, and run in the Chicago Marathon 5 times (finished 3 times).

I love the Bucktown 5K. It's a race that some friends introduced me to, and it's now one that always has a place on my racing calendar. I love that I can drive from the NW suburbs, park at Cumberland, hop on the blue line to Damen, and walk to the store for packet pickup and then straight to the race. It's fabulous. And you do give the best goodie bags in the city, no one's denying that.

But... I do have some issues. First off, you took my favorite race in Illinois (North Shore Half) and... ruined it. I was hesitant about using "ruined." It's such a strong word. But that's what you did. You took what was a "neighborhood" half marathon and destroyed it. We have to take SHUTTLE BUSES to the start line??? You used to be able to park at Target and walk there! Much less hassle. Plus, my bus driver got lost. Luckily I got there early! Sheesh! Then you sold out to Hammer and served HEED grossness. And the finish line? Don't even get me started. Masses of people trying to fit through an itty bitty hole in the fence? I love my flip flops, but they weren't worth waiting for. I didn't even see the food- the line was so long and I was frustrated from trying to get the flip flops. So I hopped on the bus and left. Disaster. Don't worry about me- I'll be at 13.1 Chicago next year.

That's not even my main issue. We need to discuss the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K. I did this race last year, after my mom was handed a card at the Chicago Marathon. I thought, "Oh that sounds like fun! Plus you get a fleece jacket! Score!" I signed up with a friend, and it WAS fun. We drove to the race, got stuck in traffic on Montrose, and amazingly found a parking spot right on the street, less than a half mile from the start. When I read the details for this year's race, I was totally there. Looked the same and everything. So I signed up again. Right now, 3 days before the race, I think it was a mistake.

#1- Stop increasing the participant cap. Just stop it. Not everyone who wants to run the race NEEDS to be able to run it. There's a reason why NYCM, Houston, and Boston are so popular- they are hard to get into, and people covet their entrance. If some lazy bum didn't sign up far enough in advance, TFB! 12,000 people on the lakefront path may not sound like a lot, but it is. Last year (cap: 5,000) I was zooming around really slow people at the end, and it was annoying. I'm dreading Sunday. I wanted to PR, but that's probably out of the question. If you don't have a wave start, that number of people is just ridiculous.

#2- Expo. Since you bill this race as the "perfect post-marathon race," don't you think most people are kind of Expo'd out? I know I am. The LAST thing I want to do on Halloween is schlep over to the UIC Pavilion when the blue line is closed for construction. Thank God for Naperville. (Although I did wait for OVER AN HOUR in that crazy line.)

#3- PARKING. What a pain in the rear. As I understand it, you were allowed to park in the Montrose Harbor lot last year. And all of the other lots, for that matter. And they are huge. So as of right now I can a) take public transportation, b) ride my bicycle, or c) park at LP Zoo or Navy Pier for the regular rate and be shuttle bused over to the site? No thank you. But then again, I could have another travel advisory email in my inbox as we speak.

I understand that you're in it to make money. I get it, honestly I do. But take a page out of Fleet Feet's book- at least finalize your plans months in advance and act like you care about the runners in the race. Finally, I'm going to give you a piece of advice someone once told me... if you have a good experience, maybe you tell 2 or 3 people. But when you have a bad experience, you tell 10+ people. Well I'm telling the Internet... take that whichever way you choose.

I'll be there on Sunday, because I already paid and picked up my packet. But I won't be back. Goodbye Hot Chocolate 15K, you will be missed.

Respectfully,
Maureen