FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, this is not a race. It is a supported training run.
It means that this run is LIKE a race, but you won’t receive a time. We will have all the
regular things any race would have- aid stations, volunteers, mile markers, port-a-potties, post-run food- but the point of this event is to help you get through your twenty-mile training run to help you prepare for your marathon. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for race day; it isn’t officially a race, but you go through all the same motions.
Busse Woods is bordered by Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, and
Arlington Heights. Grove 5, where the run starts, is located on Higgins Road just west of the intersection of Arlington Heights Road and Higgins Road.
Yes, mostly. There are a couple of stretches where shade is scarce, but 70% of the time, you’ll be covered.
The waves will correspond to specific paces. We have organized it so that each wave will
have around 50 runners, and a pace leader will help runners to their goal times. You are not required to run with the group the whole time and can break away if you feel like it.
We have set up the start in waves in order to not clog up the running path, to help runners control their starting pace better (by not starting with people much faster or slower than they are), and to help our aid station workers reload their tables.
Waves will go off roughly every minute until everyone is out on the course. In the past, we
have had around twelve total waves.
Waves are not assigned, they are open. Please line up and start with the corresponding pace group for that wave.
There will be an announcer calling out wave start times and the pace leaders will all have signs to help you find your way at the start, so all you have to do is look and listen.
There may be multiple waves for a specific pace, so please check the wave list that will be
posted and emailed out the week of the run.
Yes, you can switch. Just find the pace you want to run and join that group. Please start with a group that is in-line with your expected pace.
No, there will be other runners, walkers, cyclists, rollerbladers, and dog walkers along the
path as well. Please be careful and respectful and, hopefully, they will do the same.
No. There isn’t much room between the path and the forest and with the waves going off at different times it just isn’t feasible to put clocks on the course. Wear a watch.
Yes, each mile will be marked with a mile marker. We will make them as big as we can.
Even better! There are bathrooms all along the course. The forest preserve has several
permanent bathrooms on the path, and each has stalls for men and women. Signs will alert runners as to where they are located. MOST are right next to the path. There will be several traditional port-a-potties at the start/ finish area.
The aid stations will have Gatorade, water, and medical assistance.
No, if you want some kind of refueling gel, you’ll have to bring your own.
Yes, there will be food, water, and Gatorade at the finish line. We will also be grilling up hot dogs (yes, and veggie dogs), and have tables set up for you to mingle and chat with your new running mates, so stick around.
Ah, yes, the famous Elk Herd. You will pass by their area at Mile 3.5 and 19.5. At that time
of the day, they are usually hanging out in the shade, so you should get a good look at them as you run by.