Your 2022 Ridge Run/Memorial Day Parade Survival Guide

CHICAGO — If you’ve seen your neighbors running past your house wearing old Ridge Run shirts, Chicago’s oldest 10K event is back in person after a 2-year pandemic pause. Ridge Run 2022 returns Memorial Day, which this year falls on Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day along Longwood Drive is an unofficial kickoff to summer with the Ridge Run races, followed by the Memorial Day Parade that keeps people out-and-about in the area until the early afternoon.

Whether you are running in one of the races, have an entry in the parade or plan to come out to watch all the action in front of your beautiful home, here's what to know about the big day and how to prepare.

Ridge Run

The BAPA Ridge Run is marking its 44th year in 2022. It originated the same year as the first Chicago Marathon and one year before the birth of the South Side Irish Parade.

The Course

The Ridge Run races start and end 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.

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
• 10:15 Tot Trot

Race Options

The Ridge Run Challenge: 10K and 5K - $80
10K run - $50
5K run - $40
5K untimed walk - $25
Youth Mile - $20
Active military personnel - $15
Race day fees go up $5 on race day.

Participants will receive T-shirts, cooling towels, finisher medals and goody bags.

Team Up

The Ridge Run invites area groups, clubs, families, and friends to form Ridge Run Teams and take advantage of a race fee discount as well as race day perks.

Volunteers

Volunteers are sought to work at the registration tables, water stations and serve as course marshals for the Ridge Run. For information, email BAPA or download their volunteer guide. Volunteers get a great view of the racing action and a 'Love Where You Live' volunteer t-shirt. Sign up to volunteer here by selecting the volunteer option.

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.

Registration

Online registration will remain open until midnight, Wednesday, May 25. Race-day registration, which is an additional $5, will be available at 6:30 a.m. at the Ridge Park Field House. Register for the Ridge Run here.

Packet Pickup

In-person advance signup and packet pickup will be available on the following dates & locations:

• Thurs., May 26, 12:00–6:00 pm, Running Excels, 10328 S. Western Ave.
• Fri., May 27, 12:00–6:00 pm, Running Excels
• Sat., May 28, 12:00–5:00 pm, Running Excels
• Sun., May 29, 12:00–3:00 pm, Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr.
• Mon., May 30, 6:30 a.m., Ridge Park (fees go up $5)

Results

New this year is QR codes strategically placed along the running course and in Ridge Park, where spectators and participants can check out the sheets come out. Results will be posted online as soon as they become available by the Beverly Area Planning Association and Chicago Area Runners Association.

After The Race

Stick around Ridge Park for a post-race festival featuring food vendors, beverages, entertainment and kids’ activities. BAPA’s Tot Trot starts at 10: 15 a.m. Beverly Arts Center is taking over the Kids Zone offering fun and creative activities.

Live and Believe (LAB) Nutrition will be selling healthy beverages. The Original Rainbow truck will be selling ice cream, as well as the Calabria food truck with sandwiches and sides for purchase. Home Run Inn will be selling pizza slices and beer.

Beverly Records DJ John Dreznes will spin tunes during the races, and WHSE Radio will play music in the park.

Memorial Day Parade

The Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade is the oldest community Memorial Day parade in Chicago. It features military vehicles, a color guard, scout troops, historical figures, floats, vehicles, flags, music, the Jesse White Tumblers and more.

The parade steps off around 11 a.m., after the Ridge Run races.

Grand Marshals

Beverly/Morgan Park resident Commander Elisabeth Pennix, U.S. Navy Reserve, and Master Sgt. Ginny Narsete, U.S. Air Force (retired) are being honored as the co-founders of Operation HerStory, the first all-female Honor Flight comprised of veterans of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. Read more here.

The Route

Beginning around 10 a.m., the 2022 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.

Sponsors

OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center is the presenting sponsor, which will provide the day’s health necessities, including running the first-aid tent and distributing general health information. Dr. Manharkumar Patel will be the Ridge Run MD. In addition to OSF Little Company of Mary, other race day sponsors include:

County Fair Foods, Mike Haggerty Buick GMC, Blue Door Neighborhood Center, Southtown Health Foods, Always Ready Repair, Rogers, Leir Foot and Ankle Specialists, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, Smith Village, F45 Training, Ald. Matt O’Shea, Meijer, CIBC, Beverly Arts Center, Marathon Sportswear, Running Excels, Core Fitness Physical Therapy, Calabria Imports, Beverly Records, LAB Nutrition, Original Rainbow Cone, WSHE 103.3, Trace Ambulance, The Beverly Review and the Beverly Area Planning Association.