Runners brave Chicago weather for the New Year's Eve Fun Run by Lake Michigan

CHICAGO - Hundreds of people took off running for New Year’s Eve.

They participated in the Chicago Sport & Social Club’s New Year’s Eve 5k, where the slogan is "Earn your right to party tonight."

They did earn it, doing a 5K in miserable weather.

A thousand people signed up and nearly all showed up for the challenge. The 5K started on the lakefront at Fullerton and headed north into a strong wind, annoying rain, and waves pounding the shore. 

Organizers advised runners to keep their heads down, not to get swept into Lake Michigan and forge ahead. 

Chris Hastings, President of the Chicago Sport & Social Club said, "Set a personal record and go as fast as you can."

Rob Caughey said when he lined up to start, waves twice his height splashed the runners. 

"Going out it was super windy going at us. Coming back, we had the wind at our back we were flying, going great," he said.

Grace and Jane Lynch were high school athletes from Evanston. They signed up to run to stay in shape for the off-season. 

"I don’t know, it’s winter in Chicago, what do you expect, I thought it was pretty fun still," Grace said.

Glenn and Jen from Atlanta had a Chicago plan: run the 5k in the morning, attend the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field and watch fireworks from a hotel overlooking the Chicago River.

They say it’s good luck to do something healthy on New Year’s Eve.

Runners who kept their commitment to running the race earned their right to party tonight, in more comfortable conditions.