Good to the 8k distance back in Chicago after LifeTime Fitness took over the Turkey Trot 8k in Lincoln Park and switched it to a 5k a few years back. F^3 Events normally puts on great races (the F^3 Lakefront Half is fantastic) and even though this race had it's share of inaugural year kinks, I'd definitely run it again with confidence that they'll improve.

No expo- packet pickup at Universal Sole Lakeview was smooth and came with a discount on any purchases that day. The race location was easy to get to by public transport and had plenty of paid parking available directly across the street from the start area. Start area was about 1/4 mile walk away from the start line through what can only be described as 'unincorporated downtown Chicago' (it was safe but looked kind of desolate) and when we got to the start line, the pre-race instructions were impossible to hear as they were being called out on an old-school megaphone to the ~800 participants. There also was not a Start Line banner giving runners a clear visual indicator as to where the race begins- the start was simply a timing mat on the ground that seemed to come out of nowhere for those that weren't lined up in front. Needless to say, there's room for improvement in the pre-race experience.

The course itself was a flat, scenic out-and-back on the lakefront path. There was some crowding at first, but the field thinned out right around the first mile- at least I think it was around the first mile; I didn't check my watch and there were no mile makers/clocks anywhere on the course that I could see. There seemed to be plenty of post race nourishment in the form of bananas, hot chocolate and apple cider (although no coffee?) for those that stuck around. The cost of $43 (including fees) was fine for the distance, and the swag, which was a nice, warm, red hoody and free race photos from Lil Girl BigCam Photography, was better than most races of a comparable price/distance have on offer. All-in-all the race was very fun and I can see it becoming a Thanksgiving tradition with a few improvements.