THE FORGE (1001 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439)
9am Start
Thanks for joining us for a snowy 10k challenge!
Please use the map below for directions.
From Main Street in Lemont, go North onto Talcott Ave. After crossing the RR tracks, turn right onto the service drive. There are signs directing you to The Forge. Continue on the service drive, cross over the canal and turn right onto the gravel road on the north side of the canal. The parking lot is near the 2nd stop sign.
Park your car, put on your mask, cross the bridge and head toward the stage!
The Forge: Lemont Quarries is a state-of-the-art adventure park designed to deliver unique year-round activities for adventurers of all ages and abilities.
Featuring a versatile and wide-ranging mix of recreational activities set among a reclaimed natural landscape, the park offers an escape to tranquil and interactive green space where guests can test their personal boundaries while engaging with a passionate community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.
Packet Pickup schedule:
Sunday, February 20th – Fleet Feet South Loop, 11am-2pm
Thursday, February 24th – Peak Running LAGRANGE, 11am-3pm
Saturday, February 26th – Raceday pickup at The Forge, 8am-8:45am
The course has been revised to avoid conflicts with vehicular traffic. We have also included a singletrack trail section!
The course is gravel road/doubletrack for the first 4 miles, mostly next to the I&M Canal and nearby ex-Quarries. The next section is singletrack, along the Sanitary&Ship Canal for a bit less than a mile. The final mile is back on the gravel road/doubletrack.
Route map for F^3 @ The Forge 10KM by Zach Edmonson on plotaroute.com
After your race, grab a mini-brownie on your way through the finish chute. And then help yourself to a cup of Hot Chocolate!
Every participant will receive a green winter beanie, with Forge and F3 branding.
You may also upgrade to our F^3 black Chicago hoody for an additional fee.
The race will be a mass start. There will be pace signs posted for you to get into the appropriate spot in the start corral.
Last year, state and local COVID guidelines required us to use a wave start. IF, IF, IF waves are required, this is a breakdown of the waves, with corresponding mile pace:
9:00am – Wave A: 7:09 per mile or less
9:01am – Wave B: 7:10-7:45 per mile
9:02am – Wave C: 7:46-8:29 per mile
9:03am – Wave D: 8:30-9:14 per mile
9:04am – Wave E: 9:15-9:44 per mile
9:06am – Wave F: 9:45-10:15 per mile
9:08am – Wave G: 10:16-11:00 per mile
9:09am – Wave H: 11:15 per mile or more
Last year’s medal, born of fire and blade and hewn from oaken wood was lashed with natural rope. It bore the brands of our host The Forge and we, F3.
…or something like that. Most people thought it was cool. For this year we chose a more stylized version, with an F3-branded blue ribbon to go with it.
We always encourage participants to share rides! Last year parking was not a problem. The venue has more than 300 parking spots, and our event will be able to use most of them. Eighty of the parking spots are a warm-up jog away (1km).
If the race sells out, there will be assigned parking. During race week, everyone would receive a parking lot assignment.
In case of a sell-out, the sooner you register, the closer you would park.
The race will be chip-timed by our timing partner, BRRM. Please make it easy on them by pinning your bib on the OUTSIDE FRONT of your clothes.
Overall awards are based on GUN TIME. Top Overall Female (1) and Male (1) will receive an F^3 scarf blanket, buff, F^3 stocking cap, and free entry to our Trail Marathon & 10 Mile.
Age group awards will be based on CHIP TIME. Age Group awards will be awarded to men (3) & women (3) in 10-year age groups as follows:
The age group award is a F^3 scarf and F^3 token which can be picked up at the AWARDS table beginning at 10:15am.
2022 Results below…
2021 Results below…
There will be no gear check. Please stash your stuff in your car.
This year’s photos will be shot by the incomparable Brian Uslar. After the race, you can find them at highfivebb.com/Running
Our photographer was unable to make it to the 2021 event, but The Forge took a few photos. Please see the slider below.
The Forge has indoor restrooms right next to the start corral.
There are also porto-potties throughout the grounds of the venue.
