The Chicago Spring Half Marathon was held on Sunday, May 17, 2015. This year, it was combined with what used to be the Chicago 13.1 Half Marathon that is held in June each year (Start/Finish line for that race was the South Shore Cultural Center). I personally was a bit unhappy that they combined the two, since I enjoyed running those two along with the Chicago Half Marathon in September for the challenge, plus the different race course was enjoyable. I also was unhappy that it meant Chicago Spring Half was joining forces with Michelob Ultra. I'm not a fan of the beer, and I prefer my race swag not be covered in their logo. But that's just me.

Also, I felt the communication on the website was a bit lacking. I think it would have been nice for them to mention that you needed to know your bib number in order to pick up your bib. Luckily, I had the email on my phone so I didn't have to use their computer system to look it up. My mom however, never received an email, and when she looked up her name, it gave her the wrong bib number, which unfortunately wasn't realized until we got home. When she typed in her name, a bib number popped up, which didn't show any name affiliation with it (doesn't seem like a great system... should show the name and bib number to confirm it's correct). We didn't check the teeny tiny name printed on the tear off section, and since it was the same first name (printed larger on the bib itself), neither we or the person checking the ID vs the bib noticed. How the system gave her the wrong number, I still don't know. At the race, they guy said that the system was old... ?? Anyway, she called to get it straightened out, and they re-issued both parties a new bib number, which we picked up at will call the morning of the race. Obviously, it was a little bit of everyone's fault, and I don't blame them completely, but it would have been nice to know previous to going there that we needed the bib number - - a little message in one of the emails they sent, or even a bib number look-up link on the website where it talks about packet pickup.

The morning of the race was breezy, about 65 degrees, and very misty/drizzly. That rain didn't last too long, and the clouds parted eventually for some sun. I actually ended up pretty burnt (clouds or not, I've got Irish skin). It was pretty warm and humid the whole race, so I was thankful that the breeze stayed pretty consistent the whole time.

PROS:
+ The course starts a bit farther north than most other LFP races, so it was nice to have some variety in the scenery.
+ The course markings were fantastic. They used cones, arrows on the ground, and had volunteers at most of the locations that might be confusing on which way to go.
+ Volunteers were all very enthusiastic and friendly, through the end.
+ I had a leg injury that sprouted back up at mile 3, so I was at the back of the pack for the remainder of the race. All of the aid stations were still well-manned and well-stocked, which doesn't happen at all races.
+ Still food left over at the end for back-of-pack runners/walkers to eat.
+ Goose Island brunch buffet (egg scramble = eggs, ham, peppers and onions; pancakes; potatoes = diced potatoes with peppers and onions, turkey sausage, and dole fruit cups).
+ Multiple days for packet-pick up and a few different locations.
+ Post-race party included a live band, free Michelob Ultra (I did not partake), and a place to plant your own flower cup to bring home.
+ Bottle opener medal.
+ At the finish line were towels, bottles of Gatorade and water - plenty left over even when the final finisher came through (always great when they don't run out).
+ So many volunteers at the finish line cheering on the final runners/walkers.
+ I had to stop at the Medical tent for an bandage (the wrap kind). Luckily, I stopped at the one that had it. At the finish line, some lovely volunteers saran wrapped a new bag of ice to my leg.

CONS:
- The communication about packet pick-up and what was needed was lacking.
- The shirt sizes ran VERY small. I had ordered a WM, and I swear, it was like an WXS. I ended up with a WXL, which had a fit like a WM. It's too bad that we didn't know the make of the shirt prior to registering... or have the option to switch when they figured out who it would be from. I based my size off of the 2014 shirt I had, assuming it would be the same. I don't get why all the makers have different measurements for the same sizes, it's a bit frustrating when choosing a size. They did, however, allow exchanges at the race. I'd also say the shirts weren't very exciting. They were navy blue with the Michelob Ultra logo on the front - - would have been nicer if they kept all logos on the back, but I know since they were running the race it had to be on front. And... as much as I love blue, I really liked how last year was a limey-green - very different from most other races, which is nice.
- All other medical tents, except the one I stopped at (about mile 5 or 6 I think), didn't have any bandages. I stopped at the final Medical Tent for ice to wrap on my leg, and there were a bunch of people in the medical shirts sitting on the ground eating, and directed me to go to the other side, where there was no one to help me. Luckily, a guy from the other side (not in a medical shirt), grabbed a ziplock bag and filled it with ice for me. I had to use the wrap I already had on to secure it to my leg, since they didn't have any there. It was fine, but I would have liked to keep the one wrap supporting my leg, and the other to keep the ice on.

Not a pro or a con, but for reference, I parked at the Millenium Park Lakeside Garage, and it was $20 (1–12 hour rate). The Park at Lakeshore East was about a block away from there.

I do enjoy this springtime race, and will probably register again next year. I just need to finish Chicago Half Marathon to receive the Challenge medal :)