Your 2019 Ridge Run/Memorial Day Parade Survival Guide

CHICAGO - Among the best Memorial Day traditions in Chicago is the morning planned in Beverly/Morgan Park, where thousands come out every year to run, walk, cheer and celebrate in honor of the fallen heroes of the United States military. Activities as part of the Ridge Run begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and the Beverly/Mt. Greenwood/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade has been known to have floats moving along Longwood Drive until around noon.

"This is a big day in Beverly, and we like to show off our neighborhood," said Susan Flood, executive director of the Beverly Area Planning Association. The Ridge Run/Memorial Day Parade is one of BAPA's signature events of the year.

Here's your survival guide.

Weather Forecast

As of early Friday, the weather forecast calls for temperatures to rise from the 60's to the 70's and a 40 percent chance of rain.

Street Closures

Longwood Drive will be closed all morning long and many surrounding streets will be closed on and off throughout the morning. Plan ahead and consider taking the Metra Rock Island if coming from other parts of the city or suburbs. There are train stations every four blocks in this neighborhood.

Ridge Run

The Ridge Run is the oldest yearly 10K event in the city of Chicago, marking its 42nd year in 2019. Its origination came the same year as the first Chicago Marathon and one year before the birth of the South Side Irish Parade.

In recent years the event has added a 5K distance (timed run and untimed walk), Tot Run in Ridge Park and an untimed Youth Mile Fun Run. READ MORE: Ridge Run Offers Paces For Runners, Walkers

The Course

The Ridge Run 10K starts and ends at Ridge Park, covering much of Longwood Drive as far south as 110th Street, heading as far west as Oakley Avenue and continuing on a good chunk of Hoyne and Seeley avenues. The 5K wraps around Longwood and Seeley with turns at 108th Place and 103rd Street. See a map of the routes and where water stations will be here.

Both races include many steep grades of the Blue Island Ridge, the highest hill in the city of Chicago.

Race Schedule

• 6:30 a.m. Registration opens on the first floor of the Ridge Park Field House
• 7:30 a.m. 10K and Youth Mile registration closes
• 8 a.m. 10K Race Start
• 8:10 a.m. Youth Mile Start
• 9 a.m. 5K registration closes
• 9:30 a.m. 5K Race Start

Race Options

The Ridge Run Challenge: 10K and 5K - $60
10K run - $40
5K run - $35
5K untimed walk - $30
Youth Mile - $20

Cash Prizes

Money ($300) will be given out to the top male and female finisher in the 10K, 5K and the 10K, 5K Challenge (those who run both races back-to-back). Age group medals will be awarded as well.

Race Day Registration

Race Day registration opens at Ridge Park at 6:30 a.m. Registration for the 10K and Youth Mile registration closes at 7:30 a.m., and registration for the 5K r closes at 9 a.m. Fees increase for race-day registration.

"People can make up their mind that morning and run the race... that's rare," said Flood, an avid runner herself and 13-time marathon finisher.

Flood says it was running the Ridge Run 10K that inspired her to sign up for her first half-marathon.

Spectators

On race day, spectators are encouraged to line the race route to cheer on participants as they run through the center of the residential Ridge Historic District. Many will be out in front of their homes with their sprinklers on to aid the runners.

Memorial Day Parade

"Right after people are finishing the 5K, the Memorial Day Parade gets going," Flood said.

Grand Marshal

Tim Noonan, the North Beverly man who led the effort to have the World War I Gold Star Mothers monument in the Dan Ryan Woods restored, is the Grand Marshal of this year's parade. Read more here.

The Route

Beginning around 10 a.m., the 2018 Memorial Day Parade will kickoff at 110th Street and Longwood Drive in Morgan Park and head north on Longwood, winding down at Ridge Park.

After The Parade

A family festival will extend into the afternoon at Ridge Park after the parade. Enjoy time with your family and love where you live.