Latest reviews by Julia Montag

(2015)
"Great Way to Start the SS Parade!"
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This 1 mile race kicks off the South Side Irish parade. As someone who grew up 2 blocks from the parade, I absolutely love starting the parade day off with a race. Running Excels puts on the race, and with all the logistics tied to the parade, I'm impressed they are able to pull this race off. Although, that doesn't mean it went entirely smooth.
Expo - availability to pick up your packet on Friday and Saturday. The shirt was a soft cotton tee with the race logo, great for putting on after the race to wear to the parade.
The Race - the race started about 5min late due to other parade/course road blocks (literally), but the race organizers entertained us with bagpipers and kept us notified on timing over the loud speaker. At around 11:07 (race scheduled to start at 11am), we were off to the south of bagpipes! The race ran straight down Western Ave. People already saving their spot for the parade were out, and it was awesome to have them cheer us all on.
Post Race - The racers were ushered to an area behind Running Excels where they gave out water, announced the winners, and everyone was able to watch the start of the parade. Within hours, they emailed us all the results.

Overall, this race was a ton of fun. it's cheap, $20, lots of kids and families participating, which was great to see, and the organizers did a great job keeping everything as smooth as possible given the parade would start 20min after the race.

I can't wait to go back, I'm probably more excited for this race than the parade itself.

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(2015)
"3rd year running, never a let down!"
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I've done this race 3x in a row, and always have a great time. This year ended up being perfect weather - no snow and 40 - amazing for January in Chicago!

Packet pick up was simple and quick. I waited till the night before and the line wasn't bad at all. The swag was decent - an awesome winter hat and running gloves.

I was a bit sad to see the race move from Montrose Harbor to Soldier Field, but this ended up to be a great change. The gear check and post race party was INDOORS. In years past, you had to stand outside and freeze after running 13.1. Getting to the race wasn't bad. I did hear that the parking lot was a little out of control, but I biked and bike parking was abundant!

Gear check was quick, you were able to stay indoors until the start, and the race started right on time! The course was a really nice change from running north. I always love to run the south end of the lake path, and this race did just that! The water stations were a bit unorganized - sometimes only had water on one side, gatorade on the other, but for the most part, if you called out what you needed, someone would hand you a cup.

The finish line DID NOT have water bottles, which I'm not a fan of. They did hand out cups of water, kind bars, and protein shakes, but after 13miles, I need a full bottle of water. Gear check was quick, but by the time I had grabbed my things, met my friends, the gear check line was OUT OF CONTROL. They put gear check in a small room, which I think was too limiting for a race that sold out.

Overall, I love this race. I love having a half marathon to help keep up my training in the winter, and F3 does a great job to continue improving this race each year. I would recommend it to anyone!

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(2014)
"Holiday Cheer AND Winter Running!"
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This is a fantastic Winter race!

First, the race gear was a winter knit hat, offered in your choice of christmas colors, Chicago Bear's colors, or a light snowy blue. I saw more people wearing that hat throughout the winter than any race shirt.

Second, we had a big downfall of snow the day before, but the race organizers did a great job at clearing the course as much as possible. The race start was near Diversey Harbor; it was easy to get to, parking was available, gear check was quick, and they had HUGE amounts of mini clifbars, bananas, gatorade that the volunteers were more than willing to let you load up on.

Lastly, the race was full of so much cheer! It was impossible to not have fun. Santa was there for post race photos, the race organizers handed out antlers to run with, and lots of people came in costumes. The course was a perfect balance between competitive and fun. Great race for families.

See photo for hats all runners received, Fleet Feet antlers, and post race Santa!

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(2014)
"First Trail Race - I'm Hooked!"
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This was my first trail race, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I thought this was an incredible race. The race organizers did a great job, and I don't have many complaints at all. Here are some major highlights:
- Packet pick up - bibs can only be picked up day of. The race is small enough however, that this wasn't a huge deal. We arrived at 745, parked really easily, grabbed our bibs and shirts, and still had 30min before the race started.
- The race started on flat road for about .25mi, which was nice to help everyone fall into pace before hitting the trails. I did a bit of going around people once on the trails, but it wasn't bad at all.
- The course itself is crazy technical - most of it is single track, lots of small rolling hills, huge inclines toward the end, and a big area with rocks and a some flooding.
- There are unmanned water stations, but they do put out water jugs at 3 locations on the route to refill or grab some water. I didn't take any, so it could have also been gatorade.
- The trail is clearly marked. There were a few times I questioned if I was following the right trail, but there was a marking probably every half mile.
- The finish has LOTS of hills. Do not expect a break. The last few miles are probably the most difficult. You will also remain on the trails until mile 13, ending the .2 on the road.
- Each finisher of the half got an official race pint. It was awesome, and in my opinion a lot cooler and more useful than a medal. The top 3 overall and top 3 in each age bracket did get a medal. I liked that, pint for all, medal for those that placed!
- There was not much food at the finish, maybe a few bananas, but I would definitely recommend bringing something to eat. There's not much nearby either other than fast food.
- The overall winners for both men and female got a gift card to Alabama Outdoors, which ended up being a really awesome outdoors, REI like store, with many Birmingham locations, along with a pair of Solomon trail shoes!

This race was a ton of fun, a huge challenge, and organized extremely well. I was recommend this to anyone, and can't wait to do more XTERRA races next year!

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(2014)
"Great Chicago Turkey Day Race!"
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Great, longer distance Turkey Trot in the city. The swag was a hoodie which was needed given the day was freezing. Packet pick up was simple, and easy to get to - available at both Universal Sole locations and open all week prior.

Gear check/post race area was located right outside the store, but .5mi from the start of the race. Marking was minimal, so it took awhile to figure out where the start actually was. Once found (had to walk under LSD to the lake shore path), the race went smoothly. There was limited, if any, mile marking on the course, which ran from randolph south just past the aquarium.

The race was small, and about as organized as expected for the first year bringing this race back. Do not drive, do not give yourself that much extra time to check gear and prepare pre race. You'll freeze. I suggest walking over to State Street post race to try and catch the end of the Thanksgiving Parade.

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