THE NITTY GRITTY
ABOUT THE HIDDEN GEM HALF MARATHON
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USATF Certified (#IL19008NM) course
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CARA Certified (19041) Half Marathon
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Water, energy drinks and snacks will be available along the course at numerous aid stations.
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Food and drinks will be available to participants at the finish line.
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The entire course is paved and handicapped welcoming.
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The Hidden Gem Half Marathon will not, for any reason, issue refunds for registrations made online, by mail or on race weekend.
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Please Note: No dogs, strollers, bikes, or rollerblades are allowed in the race.
ONLINE REGISTRATION closes at midnight on Thursday, September 10th, 2020.
IN PERSON REGISTRATION & RACE PACKET PICK UP
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Friday, September 11th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. LOCATION TBD.
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Saturday, September 12th (Race Day!) from 6:00 to 7:25 am in the Registration Tent (2548 Central Drive, Flossmoor, IL 60422) near Flossmoor Metra Station's North exit.
HIDDEN GEM HALF MARATHON FEES
Early Bird – through April 30, 2020 = $60
May 1, 2020 – July 31, 2020 = $70
August 1, 2020 – Sept. 10, 2020 = $80
Race Day Registration = TBD
START TIME
7:30 AM
CUT OFF TIME
Three hours (10:30 AM) after which any remaining runners must move to sidewalks.
WEATHER POLICY
Race is on! … Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these runners from the swift completion of their appointed route … BUT safety is paramount. The Hidden Gem Half Marathon will not begin if lightning has been sighted/observed/confirmed within 6 miles of any part of the race site or course within 30 minutes of the start time OR if it is highly probable that lightning will strike within this range during the event.
PREMIUMS / SPECIAL FEATURES
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All participants in the Half Marathon will receive
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An official high-quality race shirt available in unisex sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL.
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An event medal.
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An official race packet, swag bag, snacks and beverages.
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A Special Hidden Gem beer after the race brewed in Flossmoor by Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery (21+ only)
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Free entry for themselves and their guests into Flossmoor Fest 2020 — a family-friendly festival of music, art, games and food.
AWARDS
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Overall male and female in the Hidden Gem Half Marathon will be scored by gun time with video back up.
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Cash Prizes will be given to the TOP THREE MALE and TOP THREE FEMALE finishers as follows (winners based off of gun time):
> 1st Place = $1000
> 2nd Place = $500
> 3rd Place = $250
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Age group categories will be scored by chip time. Age groups include: UNDER 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
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Age group winners determined by chip time.
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All Participants will receive a medal.
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Awards will be available at the awards table next to the finish tent and must be picked up there. The awards will not be mailed out.
HOW DO I GET TO THE HIDDEN GEM HALF MARATHON AND WHERE CAN I PARK?
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PLEASE NOTE: Flossmoor Road Access will be prohibited after 7:00 am.
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FROM DOWNTOWN CHICAGO/MILWAUKEE: We strongly recommend taking the Metra Electric Line from the city. Trains leave regularly from Millenium Station. Race registration and start/finish area are within two blocks of Flossmoor Metra Station.
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IF DRIVING: We recommend you use GPS to arrive at one of the FREE parking locations:
PARKING LOCATIONS (BEFORE 7:00 AM)
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Infant Jesus of Prague School — 1101 Douglas Avenue
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Parker Junior High School — 2810 School Street
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Western Avenue School — 940 Western Avenue
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Flossmoor METRA Station South Parking — 1113 Sterling Avenue
PARKING LOCATION (AFTER 7:00 AM)
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Homewood-Flossmoor High School — 999 Kedzie Avenue (0.8 miles from start line)
GEAR CHECK
A secure area will be reserved for gear check at race registration two blocks from the race start located directly at the north exit from the Flossmoor METRA station. Finishers can claim their gear inside the Beer Garden Tent at the finish line.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
No dogs, strollers, baby joggers, bikes, or rollerblades are allowed in the race.
RUNNER ASSISTANCE
Race participation with wheelchairs or hand cranks will be allowed with a separate start.
This race is CARA Certified and organizers have committed to following the CARA Best Practices Guidelines, rigorous standards that will ensure a quality, safe and operationally sound race.
QUESTIONS? Please contact…
708-267-4540
BUZZ ABOUT THE GEM
Highly recommend this race for its friendliness, organization and all the little things they do to make it special. I traveled all the way from Miami to run it and fell in love with Flossmoor.
Today's run was amazing! Great course and even better people. Throughout the entire race people were cheering us on, from the students at HF to the residents sitting out on the lawn everyone was cheering. I hope this event happens again next year. I will be there!
Loved every single aspect of the race! Great planning, amazing spectators, HF band and cheerleaders, and all ending up at Flossmoor Fest with the Hidden Gem brew at the finish. My new favorite half!
