The Ditka Dash 5k was held on Saturday, November 19 with two waves - one starting at 9am and the other at 10am. Weather was 36 feels like 25 with 24MPH winds and cloudy. Though that sounds cold, it wasn't too bad once we got running :)

PROS:
+ Race Day packet pickup available from 7:30am - 9:45am. This is what I did and it was quick and easy. Also available at NEWCITY Lifestyle & Entertainment District; 1457 N Halsted Street; Chicago, IL 60642; Thursday, November 17 | 12:00pm - 7:00pm; Friday, November 18 | 12:00pm - 7:00pm.
+ Plenty of race emails updating participants on race details.
+ Packet included a short sleeve tech shirt, stick on mustache, and aviator sunglasses.
+ Was able to exchange my shirt after the race (unworn) for my correct size.
+ Wave start to help with course congestion.
+ Da Coach at the start line!
+ Post-race goodies included a bottle of +essentia (purified water with electrolytes) and mini cliff bars
+ At the after party, you could get a Miller Lite (ticket on your bib), Cliff was there with full sized-holiday bars (pumpkin spice, gingerbread, and hot chocolate), sausages and hot dogs for purchase, and I think there was a band? We didn't stick around too long as we were pretty cold and wanted to get home to shower (and we had a mid-day birthday party to get to).
+ AWESOME medal at the finish line - double sided with different design on each side!

CONS:
- My mom registered me and I guess it was unclear whether shirts were unisex or gender specific, and must have appeared unisex as she got me my unisex size. When we picked up, they were gender specific. So for improvements I'd say make it clear during registration that they are gender specific (drop downs should be WS, WM, WL, MS, MM, ML, or something similar).
- No pace signs for lining up, which made each wave a bit of a mix of walkers and runners

OTHER:
• One aid station on course with water.
• Course went from Waldron Deck south under the McCormick Place tunnel (that's a negative to me only because it's so dark in there!), then a turnaround that had you crossing over the grass where you then go north on the lake front path to the finish line.
• Post race party held on the stadium green.
• Start on Waldron Drive, Finish on the path.
• Not chip times (clocks at start and finish).
• Plenty of parking at Soldier Field; majority parked at Waldron Deck for $20.

This was a super fun event which I intend to run again. I had registered a few years back, but then a different race we had registered for was on the same day and bc that had a medal (I think this was the first year Ditka Dash did medals), we chose to run that one. Then other years that date just didn't work out, but I'm so glad it did this year. Great swag and having packet pickup on race site is definitely a win in my book (it can be tough to make it into the city a day before the race, especially on a Friday, and some races the mailing option is too pricey). I hope they continue that option.