The whole experience starts when you register December 31st at 6 AM. March Madness fills up in less than 20 minutes, so anyone planning on registering needs to do what I do.... Set up your computer, credit card, wake up at 5:45 to get yourself positioned and ready, and type like the wind as soon as the clock strikes 6. Then go back to bed.

I did not pick up my packet the day before the race, my parents got it for me at the Running Depot with no problem.

Parking was no issue, there is plenty of free parking in the Cary Grove High School parking lot. If you arrive a little late and the lot is filled, you will be directed down the street for more free parking, but it is about a half mile walk to the school and the start. So I guess it can be seen as a warm up, right?

March Madness is considered the most difficult half marathon in Northern Illinois, and I would very much agree! The course is extremely challenging. Lots of hills. They even name the hills. What makes this race even more difficult is the unpredictability. There have been years of warm sunny weather, and there are years with snow or rain, or like this one.....WIND. It was 14 degrees at the start, and a wind chill that gave it a real feel below zero. It was a cold, uncomfortable race! Be prepared for ANYTHING as far as weather is concerned!

Aid stations are packed with people handing out water, and there were some very spirited people cheering on the course despite the terrible weather....props to them! The Powergel station was great because the gels were handed out well in advance to the water, giving you plenty of time to squeeze down the gel without slowing up to wash it down (I hate it when gel is handed out too close to the water).

The mile markers were tall and yellow, easy to see! There was no missing a turn on this course, it was well marked and kept under control via volunteers and local police. I don't believe very many roads were completely closed, but cars never became a problem for runners.

After finishing, there is the usual spread of post-race snacks, plus the addition of soft pretzels (yuuuum!). The only part that I didn't like after the race was going back outside into the cold to pick up my results card. This is one of the few races these days that isn't chip timed, and I know that this is a point of confusion and inconvenience for many people. I have no problem with non-chip racing, but I'm pretty such this race will be switching over in the future anyways.

For anybody in the Northern Illinois area, this is a great race. It is a challenging half marathon, so you will need to train hard. You might have a miserable time while running if you don't like hills or bad weather, but it is one of the best-run local races and would also make a fantastic training race for a spring marathon.