Perhaps it goes without saying, but if you don't like arbitrary running challenges, and you don't want to see some of your running friends at their most cranky, then maybe you shouldn't do a 24 hour relay event. That said, if you're not sure whether or not you'd like an extended relay event, then Ragnar Chicago is a great event to try it out.

The event is well managed, you are provided with all the maps and logistical support that you need in order to predict hand-off times, and to drive between them and so on. There is support on the course with the caveat that you have to either provide 3 volunteers for your team, or you have to pay an additional fee. The cost's really add up, and you should expect to spend several hundred dollars on this event BEFORE you purchase your food and anything else you want along (but remember: Alcohol is NOT permitted during the event, for what are hopefully obvious reasons - you're DRIVING, duh, and running in the dark).

The best parts of this event really are the general overall culture of goofiness. The more your team commits to a theme, the more fun you'll have, I think. A minor detractor of the event is also one of the events strengths, and that is all the rules and regulations: to be sure, the long list of rules is necessary when you have hundreds of teams out there running all over 200 miles of roads and paths. But it seemed pretty weird that even though the sun was up and shining we had to wear lights and vests, because it wasn't 6:30am yet. But again, in the grand scheme, no-big-deal.

The course for Ragnar Chicago has varying difficulty for each leg, there are a few nice legs on paths, and really only a few legs that are hilly. Running on major road-ways in the pitch-black of night can be really nerve-wracking if you don't find yourself with other runners around.

To the relief of beginners, the course is REALLY WELL marked, provided you turn off your brain, and don't turn until you see a sign telling you to do so. It's a lot like using a GPS in the car: don't argue with it, you will lose.

You get a tech shirt that is of decent quality and a bottle-opener medal at the finish. The medals a re nice and heavy so it's a decent opener, that said, bottle-opener medals are much of a novelty at races anymore, and how many do you need, really? So don't factor that too heavily into your decision to do this event or not.

In the end, this is a great relay for the first-timer, or for a group of running friends that want the endurance relay experience in a very safe and controlled (and expensive) package.

You can read about my personal experience here: http://fluencysfolly.com/2013/06/13/ragnar-chicago-2013-rookie-relay-yogger/