The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA), announces the selections for the 2022 CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit. The Circuit provides a competitive structure for area runners and has long been a source of camaraderie for local runners with each other and between local running clubs.
The 2022 Circuit will kick off with the return of a Chicago favorite, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k on March 20 (Chicago)!
The Oak Park Runners Club’s Good Life Race 5K (April 3 in Oak Park) and CARA’s Wintrust Lakefront 10 Miler (April 10 in Chicago) make up the Circuit’s slate of races for the month of April. This year’s Wintrust Lakefront 10 Miler has also been selected by the Road Runner’s Club of America as its 10-Mile National Championship event.
May and June will be made up with a familiar set of races as the Circuit returns to the Quarryman Challenge 10 Miler (May 7 in Lemont), CARA’s Spring Trail Chase 10k (May 21 in Lemont), and the Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate 5K (June 19 in Evanston). Brand new this year will be the long-anticipated Bank of America Chicago 13.1 (June 5), taking place on Chicago’s West Side.
Circuit runners will kick off July with a longtime favorite, the Elmhurst Running Club’s 4 on the 4th 4 Mile (July 4 in Elmhurst). CARA’s Chi-Town Miles One Mile (July 30 in Chicago) will also return to the Circuit, allowing runners the opportunity to test their speed on the track in this series of one-mile races.
In August, Alpine Races will also make a return to the Circuit! Runners will take to the roads of Lake Zurich for this 10-mile race (August 21). In September, Circuit runners will experience a race true to their namesake, the Hidden Gem Half Marathon (September 10 in Flossmoor).
October will bring the chance to tour Chicago’s neighborhoods with the Bucktown 5k (October 2) and the world-class Bank of America Chicago Marathon (October 9).
Closing out in a similar fashion to 2021, the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5k (Lincolnwood) will give runners the opportunity to chase after their final points.
Circuit races are chosen annually by members through representatives on the CARA’s Race Committee. The Race Committee considers the input of CARA’s membership, local running club leaders, and race survey feedback received.
Runners of all levels participate annually in CARA Circuit Races to chase personal and competitive goals, to complement their year-long training programs, and to enjoy the camaraderie of the CARA running community. Both individual and club awards are offered. Runners who complete the minimum number of Circuit races may also earn the “CARA Racing Award.”
Runners do not need to register to be included in circuit scoring, except in Clydesdale/Athena categories. Runners are tracked and scored automatically, and at the end of the season runners are eligible to receive awards during CARA’s annual Awards Party. CARA Supporter Level membership is required for individual award eligibility.
2022 CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit Schedule
Sunday, March 20 - Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K (Chicago)
Sunday, April 3 - The Good Life Race 5k (Oak Park)
Sunday, April 10 - CARA’s Wintrust Lakefront 10 Miler (Chicago)
Saturday, May 7 - Quarryman Challenge 10 Miler (Lemont)
Saturday, May 21 - Spring Trail Chase 10k (Lemont)
Sunday, June 5 - Bank of America Chicago 13.1 (Chicago)
Sunday, June 19 - Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate 5k (Evanston)
Monday, July 4 - Elmhurst Running Club’s 4 on the 4th (Elmhurst)
Saturday, July 30 - Chi-Town Miles 1 Mile (Chicago)
Sunday, August 21 - Alpine Races 10 Mile (Lake Zurich)
Saturday, September 10 - Hidden Gem Half Marathon (Flossmoor)
Sunday, October 2 - Bucktown 5k (Chicago)
Sunday, October 9 - Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Chicago)
Date TBA - Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5k (Lincolnwood)
Schedule subject to change. Any additional races added to the 2022 Circuit will be announced separately