At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning in Evanston, Lake Michigan glistened under partly sunny skies as runners and walkers took their positions at the start gate at Dawes Park for the first-ever Lakeshore Shuffle.
Katie Grundin, lakefront program coordinator for the Parks and Recreation
Department of the City of Evanston, said she was hired just over one year ago to
focus on programming at the lakefront.
“Evanston has such beautiful resources — with the paved trail that runs parallel to
the lake, the setting was perfect to host the first 5K walk and run for the
community,” Grundin said.
The spirited competition kicked off just south of the Arrington Lagoon with over
150 registered participants, each traveling a circular course set against the
backdrop of the Evanston lakefront — north on Sheridan Road to
Campus Drive then to the Northwestern Landfill, then south to Lee Street Beach,
before heading north again on Lake Shore Boulevard to complete the loop.
“This new event was an important way for us to make the lakefront more
accessible and more equitable, a way to bring people out from Evanston and the
surrounding areas to provide an introduction to the lake,” Grundin said.
Although the city has not hosted a 5K organized race until now, Grundin said they took a page from Evanston history by offering a spring race, inspired by an Arbor Day Run offered more than 20 years ago.
Blair Kamin of Wilmette said the Lakeshore Shuffle provides a great warmup for
the summer triathlon season.
“This race provides a wonderful course with great views of the Chicago skyline,”
said Kamin, the Chicago Tribune’s former architecture critic.
Preregistration for participants 8 and up was accepted up until the morning of the event at a per-person rate of $35 for Evanston residents and $46 for non-residents. That included a participant packet and medal.
Catherine Morrissey of Lincolnshire participated and said says she especially
likes running 5Ks in natural areas.
“A great draw for me is the view of Lake Michigan. Running with a connection to
nature is good for my mental health, it grounds me and gives me a certain
designated time to just focus on myself,” Morrissey said.
“I like to do one 5K per month,” Morrissey added, “and this was my race for April.”
Runner Scott Kiamm was first to cross the finish line with a time of 18 minutes
and 44 seconds.
Audrey Thompson, director of parks and recreation for the City of Evanston, also
participated in the race.
“I love running and there is a vibrant running community in Evanston and beyond.
We have plans to hold more races at the lakefront and to reach out to area running
groups — no better place to run,” Thompson said.
