The 2013 Chicago Marathon was my first marathon. I've since run a few more and have to say, you can't appreciate how fantastic and professional this race is until you've run any other marathon.

Everything is phenomenally well organized, communicated, and smooth. The course is outstanding - the only complaint I have is the couple of quick turns you have to do down narrow Lincoln Park / Old Town streets.

The huge number of neighborhoods and support you get from more than a million spectators along the course is, bar none, the best experience I've ever had in over 40+ years of living in the Chicago area.