Sundowner 5K

The Sundowner 5K is organized by the Joliet Park District as part of the Run3 Series, which includes the Rockdale Ramblin’ Run 5K & 10K and the Red Eye 8K. The Sundowner 5K follows a paved, tree-​lined, USATF/​CARA certified course through Pilcher Park at the Barber & Oberwortmann Horticultural Center in Joliet. The event also included a 1 Mile Junior Jog (kids 12 and younger) and a 200 Yard Dash for small children.
Last year there were over 650 runners and it has attracted an even larger crowd this year. Parking on-​site was a royal pain and nearly impossible. I arrived over an hour early and spaces were already full. However, the local K-​Mart in New Lenox provided parking spots for off-​site parking and Joliet Park District vans were used to shuttle participants and spectators to and from the race. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time for parking, walking/​shuttling to the race, packet pick-​up, gear check and getting to the starting line.
Timing chips were used to calculate participants official times, but a first group of runners who do 8min or under miles was sent off at 7:15pm and then the second group with everyone else was let go two minutes later. There were not two clocks at the mile markers so it made calculating pace a little harder since you had to take off 2 – 3 minutes from the time shown.
I think they did a pretty good job of keeping people safe for the race. This year was hellishly hot. It was in the 90s with a humidity around 58%. The Park District added more volunteers and water stations to the course, but for something like this they really need to add twice as many in the future. I also found the course to be a little more challenging than some 5Ks because of the low-​grade inclines and cracking pavement. Nothing serious, but just slightly more challenging.
After party area was alright. They had some food and some snacks. TCBY was there with a wide variety of flavored treats. I grabbed a hotdog, a beer and some chips. The hotdog and burgers looked disgusting and dessicated. I took two bites and tossed it. I’d say you’re better off doing what I did and leaving after the race to go to a bar with real food and real beer.

This was my third time running in the Joliet Sundowner 5K and every year the field grows by leaps and bounds. This year I had to park in a nearby subdivision and hoof it to the grounds where, luckily, I still had time to pick up my packet and make my way to the starting corral.
It’s a well planned event for a weeknight, Summertime run as the majority of the course will take you on a winding path that’s shaded by lots of tree canopy above. It is a bit hilly, however, so your hill training will definitely pay off here if you’re trying for a new PR or just shave some time off of last year’s pace. Another nice feature is the wave starts… with a crowd so large and a course so small, it only makes sense to split the runners into separate groups to give us all a little more room out there. I, for one, really appreciated it and I know you will, too!
My only complaint is that there wasn’t more water available during the last mile or so. On such a hot night as it was last night, it would only make sense, in my opinion. Otherwise, everything was stellar, including free eats and drinks afterward for the runners. I believe there was a $ 5 charge for non-​participants, which makes this night a great event for EVERYONE, young and old.
If you can, I suggest putting this one on your running calendar for next year.