Tag Archives: Chicago 3-Day

Explore the Chicago Route before the 3-Day 

The 3-Day is coming to the Windy City! Known for its stunning architecture, cultural landmarks, and vibrant neighborhoods, Chicago offers an endless array of experiences to explore on foot. Together, we’ll get to explore the city’s iconic attractions, beautiful suburbs, and hidden gems. Lace up your walking shoes and let’s embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Chicago. 

Day 1   

To kick off the 3-Day, we’ll delve into the heart of downtown Chicago and take in its stunning skyline, lakefront trails, and cultural landmarks. From the hotel, we’ll begin at the renowned Shedd Aquarium, where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the underwater world. Make your way to the picturesque Lakefront Trail which offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, for the perfect opportunity to enjoy the refreshing breeze and admire the city skyline. It’s a perfect spot for a selfie! 

Cross the Chicago River and bear witness to the city’s famous bridges and the lively activity on the Riverwalk. Capture stunning photos and embrace the energy of the city as you head north to the Magnificent Mile, a shopper’s paradise featuring upscale boutiques and department stores. Marvel at the architectural splendor as you walk along this bustling stretch of Michigan Avenue.  

Venture north to Lincoln Park, a sprawling urban oasis offering lush greenery, beautiful gardens, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Take a moment to relax and recharge in this serene environment before continuing onward; this is what it’s all about! End your day at Wrigley Field, the beloved home of the Chicago Cubs. Even if it’s not a game day, soak in the atmosphere and snap a photo in front of this historic ballpark before resting up for Day 2. 

Day 2 

With the 3-Day in full swing, we’ll explore a never-before-seen route on Day 2! Step outside the bustling city center and start your day with a short bus ride to the quaint residential area of Highland Park. Filled with boutiques, restaurants, and local shops, you can browse through the unique offerings and savor the small-town charm. From here, make your way to Glencoe where you’ll see Skokie Lagoon, a hidden gem nestled within the forest preserves. This sanctuary provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings despite being just steps outside of the busy city. 

Continue through the picturesque suburb of Winnetka, where you’ll marvel at the historic homes and serene ambiance on the shores of Lake Michigan. In fact, one home in particular may bring a bit of nostalgia to movie fanatics. Standing proudly in this quintessential community is the notable house from the film Home Alone. This is the perfect chance to steep yourself in the magic of the film and capture memorable photos with this beloved cinematic landmark. Be sure that you don’t accidentally leave behind any of your teammates! 

Wrap up your day at the architectural masterpiece that is the Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette. Known as the “Temple of Light,” this spiritual hub boasts stunning gardens and intricate designs. Visitors from all walks of life are welcome at this breathtaking temple, where you can absorb the principles of unity, harmony, and the advancement of social progress. What an enlightening way to finish Day 2!

Day 3 

To wrap up our 3-Day journey in Chicago, we’ll explore some of the Midwest’s most eclectic neighborhoods which offer a blend of history, culture, and vibrant energy. We’ll start in the trendy West Loop neighborhood, known for its culinary delights and artistic flair. Full of art galleries and renowned eateries, these lively streets are sure to inspire you on your final stretch to 60 miles. With motivation in tow, continue your trek to Wicker Park, a hotspot of creativity and hipster culture. This trendy neighborhood offers a diverse mix of independent shops, street art, and cozy cafes. 

Soon, you’ll find yourself back at the Chicago River where you can absorb the picturesque views of Chi-Town once more. Take a final moment to appreciate the city’s architectural marvels, the dynamic atmosphere surrounding the waterway, and reminisce on the incredible journey you’ve partaken in. Finally, no visit to Chicago is complete without a stop at Millennium Park where you can admire the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately known as “The Bean.” Capture some incredible pictures in front of this landmark and take in all of the charm that this city has to offer before heading to the Finish Line Festival. 

All in all, Chicago is an incredibly captivating city to explore on foot! These 3-Day walking routes allow you to experience the best of downtown Chicago, its beautiful suburbs, and high-spirited neighborhoods, ensuring an unforgettable journey through the Windy City. So put on your walking shoes, embrace the urban charm, and create lasting memories in the dynamic city of Chicago. 

2022 Chicago 3-Day Top Fundraisers

With 1,200 walkers and 250 crew members, $3.7 million was raised for the 2022 Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day. Our top fundraisers were recognized Saturday morning of the event at our Bank of America Breakfast of Champions. Bank of America celebrates our fundraising champions with a collective $25,000 donation to jump start participants on their 2023 fundraising! Join us in congratulating these top fundraisers for their incredible achievements. 

Our top individual fundraiser this year is Christine P.! Christine raised nearly $55,000 this year and has raised $157,000 total in the three years she’s been participating in the 3-Day. Christine received a $300 donation from Bank of America towards her fundraising for next year’s 3-Day. 

Christine shared a fun fact with us, she has rescued two baby raccoons, an opossum, a bird and a turtle! Thank you, Christine, for your incredible fundraising and your kind heart. 

Our top crew fundraiser is Mary Z. Mary raised $4,300 this year and has raised $5,789 total in her 18 years participating in the 3-Day. Mary received a $300 donation from Bank of America towards her fundraising efforts for 2023. 

Mary loves quilting and has handmade over 100 quilts for her friends and family over the last 25 years. What an amazing accomplishment, Mary! 

Our rookie of the year award goes to Heidi F.! Heidi raised over $40,000 for her very first 3-Day! She received a $250 donation from Bank of America towards her fundraising for a 2023 3-Day event. 

Heidi is an ordained reverend and officiated the wedding of one of the 3-Day walkers on her team. 

Our small but mighty team award is captained by our rookie of the year, Heidi (yes, the same Heidi you read about as the Rookie of the Year!) Team “Heels Off” raised over $52,000 together! The team received a $250 donation from Bank of America towards their 2023 fundraising efforts.  

The members of the Heels Off team each have a personal connection to at least one fellow teammate, but the Chicago 3-Day was the first time they had all been in the same place, at the same time! 

Last, but surely not least, is our top fundraising team BC Babes! BC Babes is captained by Beth N. and together raised more than $69,000 this year. In total, the 25 team members have raised nearly $1.6 million in the 17 years they have been a team. The commitment BC Babes has to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day is undeniable! 

The BC Babes are spread out across the US, together their 25 team members live in 13 different states. 

Thank you to all of our top fundraisers, and to all of our 2022 Chicago 3-Day participants who together raised $3.7 million in the fight against breast cancer. Stay tuned this fall for our other top fundraiser blogs from the Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego 3-Days! 

Congratulations to the 2022 Chicago 3-Day Crew Impact Award Winner

Over the last 18 years, Kit L. has participated in 40 3-Day events! With over $78,000 raised towards the fight against breast cancer, we honor Kit as the 2022 Chicago 3-Day Crew Impact Award winner. Fun fact about Kit, she has traveled to 100 countries and has visited all seven continents!  

We asked one of her friends and fellow 3-Day participants to provide a brief testimonial to her greatness! 

“Kit puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising. She is a fun-loving world traveler who has a wicked sense of humor. I first met Kit in 2010 during a freak, driving rainstorm in San Diego. Kit was in charge of the pink info tent and it became ground zero for operation ‘Dry Housing.’ Her ability to calm, nurture and relocate walkers to local accommodations was seamless. She was an unstoppable force in calling hotels and cab companies. Without her efforts supporting the staff and the rest of the crew, that walk would have turned out much differently. She taught this newbie Sr. Crew Captain that no task is impossible. The only way to eat an elephant is to eat one bite at a time.  

In addition to her yearly gig as the San Diego Sr. Volunteer Captain, she has worked as a Sr. Route Captain, Sweep Captain and Pit Captain in multiple cities. She volunteers in honor of her close friend, Linda, who lost her battle to breast cancer. She has committed to continuing this fight until there is a cure. Kit embodies the spirit of William Butler Yeats; ‘There are no strangers here, just friends we haven’t met.’ Or in her case, BREAST FRIENDS. I am proud of all of Kit’s contributions, both in time and money to our 3-Day community. But I am prouder to call her my friend.” ? Rainy R. 

“I have only known Kit for two months but in that short time she has stepped up to be a great support and friend to me. She has helped introduce me to the crew, the key players and the procedures that work. She checks in on me and makes me feel supported and loved. I have truly enjoyed our short time working together and I look forward to a lot more events with her!” ? Crew and Volunteer Coordinator, Kristin B. 

We’re so thankful for all our wonderful Crew! Without the Crew’s hard work, the 3-Day would not be possible. Stay tuned throughout the rest of the 2022 Susan G. Komen 3-Day series to see who else wins the Crew Impact Award!