I'm told it was a great weekend for running. And a lot of Chicago area runners took part in the annual right of spring: The Shamrock Shuffle. The traditional beginning of the running season in Chicago got off to a good start. I was not there, unfortunately, because my family took a weekend trip to St. Louis. But more on that in a moment. The male winner of the race, I'm told, was on record pace through four miles, then slowed a bit in the final mile to finish just off the record. I expect to have some pictures to post from the race in the next few days.
The people who put on this great race, as you probably know, are the same folks who put on the Chicago Marathon. The start of the Shuffle course is the same as the marathon course as well. So, after all the issues they had during the marathon last year, they started working on a couple of improvements during the Shuffle. I'm told they experimented with larger water stops, and a color code for the running conditions. Below, I have pasted a post-race press release they sent out. You might also note they include the registration status for this year's marathon.
Meantime, while everyone else was shuffling, I was running under the Arch in St. Louis. I enjoyed a nice 8 miler along the Mississippi river front. The weather there was a little warmer than Chicago, and it is a very scenic place to run. Running there was a great way to restore my sanity from trips to the Zoo, and the St. Louis Children's museum. The pictures are from the running path that passes just outside the entrance to the zoo. 
Judging by the many runners I saw on that path, as well as on my riverfront run, there appears to be a healthy running community in Cardinal country.
I was sorry to miss the festivities in Chicago, but I really enjoy running in other cities. I believe it's the best way to explore a new place. I tend to see things I would miss if I stuck to the tourist agenda. On this run, for instance, I ran a little south of docks where the river boats load, and discovered an area where there is a ten foot concrete wall, probably a half mile long, that is covered with some of the best graffiti you will ever see. I know, graffiti can be really a problem for a lot of reasons, but this was real art. Interesting stuff.
Hey, on another topic, if you are already planning you next race, I've got a good one to suggest. It's the Run for Rett, Saturday April 26th at Busse Woods in Elk Grove. Busse Woods is a great place to run. The put on a number of High School Cross Country meets there, and love going out just to run the trails there. It's also a great cause. A teacher from my former High School in Streamwood is the organizer. His daughter suffers from Rett Syndrome, and he and his wife have been very involved in charity efforts to help for many years. Here is a link to the sign up page, which has links to the Rett Syndrome home page:
https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=WH2VCK7
And here is the release from the Shamrock Shuffle:
PRESS RELEASE
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Celebrates Opening of Running Season with 22,600 Runners
Brian Olinger and Annie Gasway Win 29th Annual 8K Race
CHICAGO ( March 30, 2008 ) “ Bank of America celebrated the official opening of Chicago Chicago's outdoor running season today with the 29th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. More than 22,600 runners completed the 8K urban race course and approximately 2,000 walkers took a 5K stroll along the shores of Lake Michigan . Cheering them on in Grant Park and along the race route were 65,000 fans and spectators.
Brian Olinger, 24, of Westerville , Ohio won the men’s race in 23:09 followed by 2007 champion Luke Watson, 27, of South Bend , Ind . who finished in 23:34. Annie Gasway, 30, of Gurnee , Ill. won the women's race in 29:03, just two seconds ahead of Chicagoan Claudia Becque, 30 (29:05).
Larry Port er, Jr., 39, of Springfield , Ill. was the only wheelchair racer registered in the 8K and earned his champion title in 39:48.
Olinger and Gasway were followed across the finish line by 22,600 runners, many getting their first taste of outdoor running after a long and snowy Chicago winter. Widely recognized as an official Chicago rite of spring, the celebratory event concluded in its traditional fashion with a lively post-race party at Buckingham Fountain featuring musical entertainment from popular local band, The Hat Guys.
This race is marked on the calendars of local runners every year because of its celebratory atmosphere and the fact that it is the first major running event organized in the city each spring, said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. It is the perfect kick-off to the outdoor running season and always attracts an energetic, enthusiastic and eager crowd. It's always refreshing to see the city come to life on race day.
Bank of America hosts two of the largest running events in the city, book ending the Shamrock Shuffle in the spring and the world renowned Bank of America Chicago Marathon in the fall. A total 30,000 participants registered for today's event while the Marathon anticipates closing its field at 45,000 registered runners later this spring.
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is a terrific community event that reflects the spirit of this great city, said Bank of America Illinois President David Rudis. Bank of America is excited to continue the tradition of both this event and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
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