Sports & fitness tips » Running
Chicago Lakefront North
by Brenda Barrera and Eliot Wineberg
CHICAGO LAKEFRONT NORTH (HOLLYWOOD BEACH TO DIVERSEY HARBOR) – 4.5 miles
What makes Chicago one of the best running cities in the country? The 18-mile path that borders our best natural asset, Lake Michigan, is so convenient, you can just lace up your shoes and be ready to explore. The path's half-mile markers make it easy to keep track of your mileage.
ACCESS
Hollywood Beach trailhead: By car, take Lake Shore Dr. to Hollywood, where there is limited on-street parking. Parking lots are available at Montrose or Foster Beach, which are a bit south of the path's start by the lakeshore. By CTA, take the Red line to Bryn Mawr. By bus, #145 will take you to Wilson St., #146 to Berwyn St., or #151 to Sheridan Rd./Lake Shore Dr., then go east to the path by the lakeshore. For more information, call the CTA/RTA at 312-836-7000, or visit their Web site at http://www.transitchicago.com.
Diversey Harbor (CARA Board) trailhead: By car, take Lake Shore Dr. and exit on Belmont, then head south on Lake Shore Dr. West to Diversey Pkwy. Or exit on Fullerton Pkwy. and head north on Cannon Dr. (the path is right by the road); there is a parking lot on Diversey Pkwy. and limited parking on streets or lots in the area.
By CTA, take the Red line to Fullerton or Belmont, then the Brown line to Diversey. (Note: The train does not run south of Belmont on Sundays.) By bus, take the #74 Fullerton, #76 Diversey; #146, #145, or #151 Sheridan/Lake Shore Dr.; #36 or #22 Clark St. and Broadway.
COURSE
Officially, this route starts at Ardmore St. (5800 N) and Hollywood Beach, but the green trail 0-mile marker is a half mile south at Bryn Mawr Ave. More than likely you'll run this section backward, starting at the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) Board, and head north.
This flat asphalt-and-cinder path will take you past some memorable points. The first is the Foster Ave. Beach House and basketball court (during high winds the waves are spectacular). The path forks and you can either follow the running path (to the left) or the paved bike path next to Lake Shore Dr. Cricket Hill is our token urban hill and a popular spot, especially for cross country runner. Follow the path by the seawall next to the Sydney Marovitz Golf Course, also known as Waveland Golf Course (312-245-0909), with its historic clock tower (water and restroom available). This seawall section floods in the springtime and can be very icy throughout winter months. From here you'll run into a wooded stretch by the fenced bird sanctuary and emerge near Addison St. and a well-known landmark: the wooden totem pole, Kwansila (means thunderbird). This is a popular turnaround spot and meeting place for clubs like the Frontrunners/Frontwalkers. From here to Belmont the running and bike paths join and you'll hear playful barking from the "dog beach" before Belmont Harbor. Please use caution; this is an extremely congested area prone to bicycle/pedestrian accidents. The running path goes to the right under the equestrian trail overpasss to a tree-lined stretch next to the driving range. Just a few steps beyond the parking lot is the CARA Board, where the Lincoln Park Pacers and various training groups convene. Be sure to check here for up-to-date information on local races. Restrooms and water are by the entrance to the driving range and are open during warm weather. For wintertime emergencies, runners have often used nearby restaurants or hospitals. Just a few feet from the 4.5-mile marker is the water trough, where you can find running water year round.
Additional courses: At the north edge of Waveland Golf Course, add a 1.7-mile out-and-back run along the edge by the boats and harbor and then the outer path by the lakefront of Montrose Harbor. Scenic spots include Royko's Grove in the southwest corner, a memorial to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune columnist, Mike Royko, who admired this view of the city. Also work your time is a jaunt through the "Magic Hedge" at Montrose Point, a splendid haven and birding hotspot.
TIP
Breakfast at the Waveland Cafe, next to the clock tower, is a great way to start your weekend after a long run, but it's only open from mid-March through mid-October.
What makes Chicago one of the best running cities in the country? The 18-mile path that borders our best natural asset, Lake Michigan, is so convenient, you can just lace up your shoes and be ready to explore. The path's half-mile markers make it easy to keep track of your mileage.
ACCESS
Hollywood Beach trailhead: By car, take Lake Shore Dr. to Hollywood, where there is limited on-street parking. Parking lots are available at Montrose or Foster Beach, which are a bit south of the path's start by the lakeshore. By CTA, take the Red line to Bryn Mawr. By bus, #145 will take you to Wilson St., #146 to Berwyn St., or #151 to Sheridan Rd./Lake Shore Dr., then go east to the path by the lakeshore. For more information, call the CTA/RTA at 312-836-7000, or visit their Web site at http://www.transitchicago.com.
Diversey Harbor (CARA Board) trailhead: By car, take Lake Shore Dr. and exit on Belmont, then head south on Lake Shore Dr. West to Diversey Pkwy. Or exit on Fullerton Pkwy. and head north on Cannon Dr. (the path is right by the road); there is a parking lot on Diversey Pkwy. and limited parking on streets or lots in the area.
By CTA, take the Red line to Fullerton or Belmont, then the Brown line to Diversey. (Note: The train does not run south of Belmont on Sundays.) By bus, take the #74 Fullerton, #76 Diversey; #146, #145, or #151 Sheridan/Lake Shore Dr.; #36 or #22 Clark St. and Broadway.
COURSE
Officially, this route starts at Ardmore St. (5800 N) and Hollywood Beach, but the green trail 0-mile marker is a half mile south at Bryn Mawr Ave. More than likely you'll run this section backward, starting at the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) Board, and head north.
This flat asphalt-and-cinder path will take you past some memorable points. The first is the Foster Ave. Beach House and basketball court (during high winds the waves are spectacular). The path forks and you can either follow the running path (to the left) or the paved bike path next to Lake Shore Dr. Cricket Hill is our token urban hill and a popular spot, especially for cross country runner. Follow the path by the seawall next to the Sydney Marovitz Golf Course, also known as Waveland Golf Course (312-245-0909), with its historic clock tower (water and restroom available). This seawall section floods in the springtime and can be very icy throughout winter months. From here you'll run into a wooded stretch by the fenced bird sanctuary and emerge near Addison St. and a well-known landmark: the wooden totem pole, Kwansila (means thunderbird). This is a popular turnaround spot and meeting place for clubs like the Frontrunners/Frontwalkers. From here to Belmont the running and bike paths join and you'll hear playful barking from the "dog beach" before Belmont Harbor. Please use caution; this is an extremely congested area prone to bicycle/pedestrian accidents. The running path goes to the right under the equestrian trail overpasss to a tree-lined stretch next to the driving range. Just a few steps beyond the parking lot is the CARA Board, where the Lincoln Park Pacers and various training groups convene. Be sure to check here for up-to-date information on local races. Restrooms and water are by the entrance to the driving range and are open during warm weather. For wintertime emergencies, runners have often used nearby restaurants or hospitals. Just a few feet from the 4.5-mile marker is the water trough, where you can find running water year round.
Additional courses: At the north edge of Waveland Golf Course, add a 1.7-mile out-and-back run along the edge by the boats and harbor and then the outer path by the lakefront of Montrose Harbor. Scenic spots include Royko's Grove in the southwest corner, a memorial to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune columnist, Mike Royko, who admired this view of the city. Also work your time is a jaunt through the "Magic Hedge" at Montrose Point, a splendid haven and birding hotspot.
TIP
Breakfast at the Waveland Cafe, next to the clock tower, is a great way to start your weekend after a long run, but it's only open from mid-March through mid-October.
This is an excerpt from Chicago Running Guide.