Skokie Swifters Run/Walk Club
The FiFth Annual End of the Dumpster Fire Year/So Long 2024 20-ish Miler
In 2020, Sabrina decided to run the entirety of the North Branch Trail (~20 miles) on New Year's Eve as a way to say SO LONG to the ridiculous year that was, and friends came along to support. She did it again last year, and even more people came out; thus, a tradition has been born! It's our way of saying so long to a really bizarro year - again! Please join us for what we hope will be the biggest turnout yet - let’s give a high five for YEAR FIVE!
On Tuesday, December 31, Captain Swifter & Co will be running the entirety of the North Branch Trail of the Cook County Forest Preserves system--20.3 miles in total! Many folks will be hopping on the trail for a few miles along the way, and others will be coming to cheer and spectate. Whatever your involvement, please let us know if you'd like to come on out!
This is an altogether run - meaning it's not a race and it's not meant to be fast. This is a let's-enjoy-each-other's-company-and-be-grateful-that-we-GET-to-run run 🙂
The Specifics
It starts in Chicago near the corner of Foster Avenue and Kostner Avenue, and finishes in Winnetka near Tower Road and I-94, with one loop around the Skokie Lagoons. If you take a look at the map, you'll see it's the entirety of the paved Red Trail plus the paved Black Trail.
We're planning to start at Foster/Kostner at 1:00pm.
The finish line party (complete with drinks and snacks) will be in the parking lot of Tower Road
NOT the boat launch parking - use "Chicago River Canoe and Kayak,1770 Tower Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093" as the parking lot address
Pace will be between 11-12:30 minutes/mile with plenty of walk breaks and photo opportunities.
Don’t want to run all 20? Here are some good starting points with expected distance so that you can still finish in the parking lot party:
4.5ish miles: lagoon loop, starts and ends in the parking lot.
6ish miles: starts at Winnetka Road.
8ish miles: starts at Lake Avenue.
10ish miles: starts at Golf Road.
14ish miles: starts at Oakton Street (on the bridge).
Expected finish is 4:00/5:00pm, give or take some time given the day’s actual conditions.
We would love to see you at some point; please let us know if you might make it out and/or if you want to help with drinks and snacks! Please note there will NOT be a Tuesday night meet up at Sketchbook that night, so come on out to celebrate the last day of the year with your Swifter fam this afternoon!
