Compared to recent weeks of sub-zero temperatures, the weather at Springbrook Gardens Park in Mentor for the Chili 5K felt almost balmy. And if the nearly 40-degree thermometer reading didn’t warm the more than 150 registered runners, then a bowl of chili following the race should have done the tr ick. The third running of the Chili 5K took place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 15. GCXC Racing Marketing Director Krista Harbart said the field was a mix of competitive runners doing some winter training for future races and people out to have fun. Harbart said compared to the negative temperatures for their recent Groundhog Run, the temperatures in Mentor for the Chili 5K were much appreciated. “This almost feels like a heat wave,” Harbart said. Race Director Bill Dennison of GCXC Racing and Second Sole said they wanted to show off the new park, and it’s always nice having a new race route in Mentor. Edwin Figueroa of Chardon, who competes in a lot of the local races that Second Sole and GCXC Racing put on, was on hand for the Chili 5K with his 4-year old son Evander. “(Evander) loves getting out there, and I compete in quite a bit of races throughout the year,” Figueroa said. “GCXC does a good job with these races, and it is always a nice presentation.” At the party after the race inside the banquet room, awards were given out and about a dozen different chilis were available for runners to sample. Awards presented were gift certificates to Second Sole. Every runner or walker received a Chili 5K race T-shirt, finishers medal and the chili. More than 150 runners participated in the Chili 5K at Springbrook Gardens Park in Mentor on Feb. 15. (William Tilton - News-Herald)More than 150 runners participated in the Chili 5K at Springbrook Gardens Park in Mentor on Feb. 15. (William Tilton - News-Herald)Workers and volunteers help set up the post-race chili station at the Chili 5K at Springbrook Gardens Park in Mentor on Feb. 15. (William Tilton - News-Herald)Show Caption1 of 3More than 150 runners participated in the Chili 5K at Springbrook Gardens Park in Mentor on Feb. 15. (William Tilton - News-Herald)Expand ...read more read less