CHICAGO — Like geese migrating north, hundreds of Chicago runners will flock to Northeast Wisconsin for the eighth annual Door County Half Marathon and 5K runs.
Course director Myles Dannhausen, of West Town, said nearly 400 runners from Chicago and its suburbs will be part of this year's 2,700-competitor race, set for May 2.
Neighborhoods represented include Beverly, Edison Park, Humboldt Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Rogers Park, Streeterville, University Village, Uptown and Wicker Park, Dannhausen said.
"Getting all these people from Chicago for two to three nights is a huge shot in the arm for the local economy," said Dannhausen, a Door County native.
Justin Breen says it's a big boon economically for the area:
Dannhausen said city runners were first introduced to the race during its second edition, when Jenny Hadfield, co-founder of Chicago Endurance Sports, brought a group of Chicagoans to the event. Hadfield, known as "Coach Jenny" from her column in Runner's World, said the Door County race goes through "some of the most picturesque half marathon miles in the world."
"I’ve raced all over the world and the Door County Half Marathon is one of my favorites," said Hadfield, formerly of Lakeview and a current Willow Springs resident.
Dannhausen and Hadfield said part of the Door County race's crux is featuring a completely enclosed course within the rolling hills of Peninsula State Park on the shores of Green Bay.
"It’s rare for a Chicago runner to race on a truly closed and peaceful course," Hadfield said. "No cars, no traffic and no worries about them shutting down the course early."
Dannhausen said Chicago's participants, which usually outnumber those from Door County, have helped publicize the race through social media.
"They spread the word, and they're more active on social media than Northeast Wisconsin runners," he said. "In Northeast Wisconsin, if you're running, you're usually running on your own. Down here [in Chicago] there are so many running groups and clubs, if one of those people runs, they're sharing their experiences on social [media] with a group of very dedicated runners."
Dannhausen said there is still time to register. For more information, click here.
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