Runners finish the Main Course 10K and enjoy cheesecake, muffins, and the most popular post-race treat: beer
For runners at the May 20 Main Course 10K presented by the National Restaurant Association, there was no shortage of post-race snacks: Eli's cheesecake, Minute Maid soft frozen lemonade, Snickers Marathon bars, and more restaurants all combined to make for a sweet reward for runners. For some runners, though, the only way to relax after a tough race? The beer guys.

Rock Bottom Brewery, who took over for Miller Lite as the official beer sponsor of the race, went through four kegs in less than two hours last year. This year, regional marketing director Tom Fox made sure they had enough, with eight kegs. And it proved to be a surprising favorite among runners, who waited in long lines for their post-race brew. Why the unusual choice? "We line them up," Fox said. "People want to get hydrated as fast as possible and beer's just a way to do that."

While alcohol actually dehydrates you, it does have some nutritional components that could help out tired legs: it's an obvious sources of carbs, Fox pointed out. And scientists at Germany's Innsbruck University found in a 2006 study that components of beer can have anti- inflammatory benefits.

But for most runners, it's just a way to kick back after a cold, tough morning of racing. "This was my first race, but I love beer," said Melinda Mcelheny. "So I decided that I might as well."

Shannon Zilligen, 29, said that after grabbing a beer at the Shamrock Shuffle in April, she felt really sick, vowing never to do that again. But after making it through the 10K after a race that didn't go as well, the Chicago resident decided to reward herself.

"The last 10K I did I almost died, so I figured if I finished this one, I could have a beer," she said.

Of course, not everyone indulged in the brew. First place finisher Aaron Becker, who finished the race in 33:40, said he was in training and ran the race to get ready for some upcoming steeplechases. While the beer looked appetizing, he said there were too many reasons for him not to partake.

"My coach would kill me," he said.

Second-place finisher Richard Gutierrez also had his reasons for not drinking, especially with his other reasons to focus on the race. Gutierrez was running in memory of his friend who passed away last week in a car accident. And like many others, Gutierrez said alcohol just wasn't for him.

"I'll definitely go for the cheesecake though," he said.

On the women's side, Dorothy Gach came in first with a time of 40:01. Click here for complete results.

The Main Course 10K is produced by the National Restaurant Association and is held every year in conjunction with the annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. Show exhibitors donated raffle prizes such as hotel rooms and restaurant gift certificates at the popular "You Don't Have to Win to Win" raffle after the race.

Nearly 1,400 people finished the 27th running of the race, which benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Top finishers:

Male results
1. Aaron Becker, 38, Chicago, 33:40
2. Richard Guitierrez, 29, Hammond, IN, 35:17
3. Robert Chenoweth, 38, Chicago, IL, 35:55
4. Michael Patterson, 25, Chicago, IL, 36:04
5. Bob Fencl, 45, Chicago, IL, 36:37
6. Sam Ramirez, 39, Chicago, IL, 36:39
7. Vygantas Kelertas, 36, Klaipeda, KL, 36:40
8. J. Kevin Temple, 35, Chicago, IL, 36:51
9. Gregory Cooper, 20, Chicago, IL, 36:56
10. Konrad Mucha, 34, Hanover Park, IL, 37:17

Female results
1. Dorothy Gach, 35, Chicago, 40:01
2. Beth Engel, 32, Chicago, 40:35
3. Sue Deehan, 40, Chicago, 41:16
4. Toney Avakova, 26, Chicago, 41:51
5. Ginny Griffin, 23, Chicago, 43:12
6. Laurie Morgenthal, 25, Buffalo Grove, 43:30
7. Jennifer Braser, 25, Chicago, 43:59
8. Debbie Hall, Seattle, WA, 44:26
9. Wendy Westmeyer, 28, Chicago, 44:52
10. Ani Zotti, 15, Chicago, 44:54