Gonzo Guide Green Bay Goes to Chicago - For the Men's Health Urbanathalon...Not a Race For Sissies

The Bellin Run is a fantastically put together race. It holds a comfortable place on our calendar every second Saturday in June. And it still remains a challenge, every time the running shoes come on. Afterwards, we have a spot close to the race course where the cocktails flow like the water that we should be drinking. Awesome day.

But, for those of you looking for something different, maybe a road race offering more than just hoofing it with your iPod on...might we suggest you consider making the trip to Chicago on 10.17.09 to compete in the Men's Health Urbanathalon.

The 10.5 mile course starts in Grant Park, winds down the Chicago Lakefront, through Navy Pier, into Soldier Field and back to Grant Park for your finish. Ok wiseguy, here's the rub: deviously planted along the race route are random urban obstacles you have to conquer. In previous years there were the stairs inside of Soldier Field to climb, taxi's to jump over, an 8 ft wall to overcome, and marine hurdles to negotiate.

You can challenge the course solo, or you can tackle it in via a relay team of three. Our experience in years past has been as a part of the relay. And not to sell ourselves short, we were the top finishing team from Wisconsin. Either way, the course is absolutely beautiful, in the shadows of Chicago's towering architecture, and overall the race is well organized.

After the urban ass kicking you'll receive, you get to settle into the festival. Bands play, there is a climbing wall you can monkey on, and free beer to be had (for race participants). Normally a pretty solid crowd is mulling about deliberating which was more difficult, the marine barricades in the sand, or the stairs at Soldier Field.

This year, Gonzo Guide Green Bay will be sending a team down to represent. If you have the jewels, and want to step up to the plate and participate, let us know. You won't be disappointed in the challenge, the scenery, the city, or the event.

Running a 10k is cool. Running over taxi cabs, while running a 10k is cooler.

Plug In - Participate - Go Gonzo

Gomez Gonzo
Gonzo Editor-at-Large
gomez@gonzoguidegreenbay.com