When you get a BQ, it's hard to say anything bad about a race. But then again, there wasn't really anything really bad about the race.
Coming from CT, we stayed at a hotel about 20 minutes away from the start (all closer hotels were sold out). We had no problem with road closures or getting to the start. We parked in a lot very close to the starting area and waited in our car until the very last moment. Hit the portopotty and got ready to run.
Now, I knew going into this race I was going to BQ by a lot. My training was insane and I only missed 3 workouts in 3 months. I was hitting all my target paces and zones during training. There was no question, I was going to BQ today.
The beginning of the course is mostly residential and you start pretty early. Yet, there were actually people outside with signs and cheering. Not a lot, but more than I thought would be. It made the first 10K fly! I was cruising along with the 3:20 group feeling on top of the world.
When you get to the half you are near the water and the scenery gets better but the majority of the runners turn to finish and you are in no mans land. Luckily, the 3:20 pace group was solid and there were a great group chugging along to keep me company.
I really enjoyed the 2nd half of the race. I'm used to a lot of mundane straight miles in my training, so that long stretch was actually comforting to me. Once we turned back to head up to the finish the wind hit me pretty good and my calves remembered there are not 3:30 marathon runners. I started cramping pretty bad and had to slow considerably. But I was so ahead of the clock for my BQ, I could have walked the last few miles and still got it!
The slowing up helped tremendously and I finished strong with my first sub 3:25! (3:24:58) Best part, I BQed by more than 15 minutes, so I was able to register for Boston on the second day!

Only thing that sorts stinks about this race is their shirts. Sizes are weird. I have a lot of women's small race shirts. This one does not fit like a women's small. Also, the bus ride back to the start is brutal. I took forever to get a bus full and on the road. Luckily we had great weather. Had it been cold or wet, it could have gotten ugly.

I am also sorta bummed they moved the date. I would have run again this year if it were 2 weeks post Boston, but 6 days... I don't recover fast enough for that!

My husband ran this in 2011 & 2012. I spectated with our 2 young daughters. Finally, I decided to give it a go and ran in 6 days post NYRR NYC Half (where I PRed). I had so much fun! Aside from the muddy section (Man, I hope that was mud) I really love the course. Flat. Fast. What's not to love. Plus I love how easy it is for your family and friends to spectate. They also have one of THE BEST post race areas. Love the spread of food/ beverage options and the music is always great. I was so excited to run it this year, but an injury from The Dopey Challenge had me sidelined for 6 weeks. Next year! Perhaps I'll shoot for a new half marathon PR here!

In addition to 2013, I ran this race in 2011 & 2012. Both years I swore I would never enter the lottery again. Both years I was placed in corrals that were much slower than my ability. 2011 in particular I was place in one of the last corrals. As a new runner, I honestly thought the corrals were based on last names. (Don't laugh at me...I had just started running. Who knew?) It was horrible. Congestion, dodging walkers 5-6 deep... I really thought big city races where not for me. In 2012, my corral was a tad better (but not much). I, again, had an awful time the first few miles with the massive amount of people (most of which were much slower than I). This was the first year with the new course, as well. The finish was frightening. Thousands of us runners trying to get out of a small area while spectators were also pushing to get into it. I thought, for sure, someone would be trampled and seriously hurt.
When I got in to 2013, I was much faster than years past and for once, put in my anticipated finish time as the time I HOPED to finish, rather than my last finish time. I figured, if everyone else can do it, why not me? Clearly NYRR didn't verify this info since people who I knew who are much slower than I am always seemed to have better corral placement. It worked. I was put in the perfect corral for my speed!
It was bone chillingly cold. So cold, infact, that my feet and hands never warmed up. The water at the aid stations were turning to ice and any water spilled in shady areas where also becoming slick.
The park was tricky, but once out on the road, when you were able to spread out, you were cruising!
This was the first half marathon I have every run fast and it didn't feel like an all out effort. I got my half marathon PR (1:37:40) with much fuel left in the tank and feeling like I could have pushed harder.
The finish area was figured out from the previous year and I had no problem getting my heat sheet, medal and get on the road. I'd love to run this again and really go all out to see what I could do on this course.

This was the race were I was supposed to BQ. On paper, my training was spot on for a 3:35 marathon. Didn't miss many runs. Nutrition was solid. I had run a hot, humid hilly half marathon faster than I needed to and felt great after. That BQ was mine!
Fast forward to a week before the race. I come down with flu like symptoms. Go to the doctors and in addition to my server cold, I had ear and sinus infections. I was put on antibiotics and told not to do the race.
I, of course, got on a plane the few days later and ended up running the race. Takes more than an illness for this girl to get a DNS!
We stayed at the host hotel and it was fantastic! If you run Chicago, I strongly recommend this. You literally walk right across the street to the start. I doubt any other big city race could have an easier start/finish if you are staying at the host hotel. We didn't have to wait very long, either, before starting. It was nothing like the wait in NYC or Boston.
The first mile is congested, but after that, you are fine. It's actually a good thing. You could easily get carried away here. A flat fast course in a big city can tend to move you faster than you should be starting.
I, however, never got going. I really had no business running. I was so sick. I could not stop coughing. It was horrible. Each step and breath hurt worse than the one before. It was such a shame. I was so excited about being there. Needless to say, I didn't get my BQ that day. And I did quite a number on my immune system. I remained sick for 2 months after the race.
All that being said, Chicago is amazing! The crowds were so supportive. When you are hurting and struggling to breath, you need all the support you can get and the people here really get you through the tough times. Course is a dream. Can't ask for a better course. Flat. Fast. I hope to run it again under better circumstances. I was going to register for it this year (since I have a time based guaranteed entry), but opted to skip it for a smaller local marathon.

Miami is one of my favorite cities, so I had to run a marathon there. Unfortunately, I was not trained properly for the conditions, didn't stick to any normal diet during training and my sciatically was acting up because of the added weight. So, I didn't have the best race. But that doesn't mean it's not one of the best races out there!
We caught the tram directly in front of our hotel and headed to the start. It was very easy and took no time at all. The start area is great! One of the best of any race I have done. I loved the beginning of this race. The views are speculator! In fact, if you are doing the half, it's quite possible one of the best darn half out there! The full however, you really gotta love marathoning in heat to run this one.
Once the half runners finish, the mojo is gone. Not much for crowd support through the residential areas. It seems like the same view forever. The sun was beating me up. I was eager to finish this one, for sure.
When you get back onto city streets the energy picks back up Miami style. You remember, oh yeah, THIS is why I wanted to run this!
They have a fantastic finish area and even with all the extra people in the afternoon, catching the tram back to our hotel was super easy. This race fell on my birthday this year. I was going to give it another go but decided to take on The Dopey Challenge in January instead.