Chicago's Pumpkins in the Park 5K has an Elite Division with Prize Money

The Cereal Crew! (Photo credit: RamRacing.org)

Don't Let the Children in Costume Fool You!

​There's an Elite Corral at the Pumpkins in the Park 5K on October 20, 2018.

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Disclaimer: I'm promoting Pumpkins in the Park 5K as part of being a BibRave Pro. ​Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

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That's Right! If you meet the qualifying standards, you can join the Elite Corral at the #PumpkinsInThePark5K this Fall in Chicago! Elite Corral runners are eligible for cash prizes. Now, that doesn't always happen at a 5K!

To qualify, you must submit proof of performance from a similar event. See the chart below for specifics.

• Men's standard is 17:00 
• Women's standard is 20:00​

All proof must be from January 1, 2016 or later. You must submit your proof by October 1, 2018 to be considered for the Elite Corral. 

Note: If you don't submit proof by the deadline, you'll be placed in an alternate corral and will NOT be eligible for the prize purse.

Placement in the Elite Corral is on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't wait! Assignment is not guaranteed. You can verify your corral assignment in your Ram Racing account.

Think you have what it takes to win or place?

Cash Prizes for Elite Runners

Here's the deal. There's a cash purse for runners in the Elite Corral. The Top 3 overall Men and Women in the Illinois Elite Corral will receive awards.

The awards structure for 2018 is as follows for both the men and the women:

• 1st Place = $400
• 2nd Place = $250
• 3rd Place = $100

In addition to the overall prize money, the top overall male and female finisher who beats the existing Pumpkins in the Park 5K record wins an additional $100.

Current #PumpkinsInThePark Records to Beat

Male Event Record is 14:48.
Run by Dan Kremske of Woodstock, IL in 2016 

Female Event Record is 16:53.
​Run by Katie McMenamin of Lafayette, CO in 2017

Athletes must be accepted into and start with the Elite Corral in order to be eligible for the prize purse. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility.

How to Apply for the Elite Corral

Elite men winners. (Photo credit: RamRacing.org)

If you'd like to be considered for the Elite Corral (and be eligible for the prize money), you must be a US Citizen and you must have proof of a qualifying finishing time from a previous race.

To apply, register for the race and select the Elite Option during registration, and when submitting proof of results.

If you already registered, and want to be considered for the Illinois Elite Corral,  email your proof of qualification AND your confirmation number to elite@ramracing.org.

Elite women winners. (Photo credit: RamRacing.org)

Proof of Qualification

Any of the following is considered acceptable proof of your race time:

• Send a screen shot of your individual race results. You can include the screen shot in the body of an email. The name of the race, date and distance must appear with your results.
• Attach a finisher's certificate to your email.
• A printout from the online race results page, with your name and time circled or underlined can be sent as an attachment.
• Send a link to your individual race results. Your name and results should be the ONLY results appearing on the page.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship

The prize money and elite corral are only open to U.S. Citizens. You'll be asked for proof of citizenship at packet pickup, and on race day when you get your bib.

Accepted proof of citizenship includes the following:

• A U.S. Passport
• Birth Certificate and Photo ID (driver's license, state ID, etc.)
• Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship

If you fail to provide proper proof of citizenship on race day, you'll be removed from the Elite Corral. You'll be reassigned to another start corral and lose eligiblity for the prize purse.

Whether you run in the Elite Corral, or with the rest of the ghosts and goblins, Pumpkins in the Park 5K is a fun event.

All registered participants receive a race shirt, on course aid stations, a post race party in the park, and free race photos.

Bonus SWAG Code!

Use the code: BRPumpkins when you register and score a pair of Ram Racing sunglasses. You can make them part of your costume, or just wear them around town.

Use code: BRPumpkins when you register and get these sunglasses for FREE!

2017 Pumpkins in the Park race course. Check the week of the race for any updates.

Free race photos!

Register Before the Price Increase on June 3rd!

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