To them, it was well worth it.
Ask avid runners why they dedicate their time and energy for these races and the answer is simple.
"I love to run, and if I can like help other people in my community especially for a great cause like (Sunday), that would be awesome," said Carina Borst.
Borst is one of 2,000 runners that came out to Sunday's Chi-Town Big Game race.
The event took place along the lake, where the big puffy flakes and light wind made for a pretty scene.
Afterwards, runners got a chance to stretch their legs and give local vets a chance to say thank you.
About $70,000 raised will help vets like Phil Bell, who was wounded while serving in Iraq.
"I took injuries to my back, I ended up fracturing my spine, I have tons of shrapnel throughout my back, so I was basically told I'd never run again and strenuous activities do affect me," bell said.
Homes For Heroes helped out, putting a new roof on Bell's home when it leaked, something he could no longer do himself.
The money raised will go a long way.
"Our normal retrofit to help do a bathroom or a wheelchair accessible lift averages about $1000-2500, so if it's $25,000, $35,000, $75,000. It doesn't matter, we can make it work and help as many veterans as possible," said Bill Johnson, Homes For Heroes founder.
