The run sounds crazy – a half marathon along Lake Michigan in mid-January, especially for someone who lives in warm Phoenix. I researched the run and the promoters have a good web site. 2015 was the sixth running of the race and the reviews from past years were positive. The images from last year’s cold and snowy run were a little scary, but I set off to earn the really cool medal. There are no t-shirts for the run, but instead a toboggan and gloves. That worked for me because I have too many shirts as it is. Race packet pick up extended nearly the whole week prior across multiple locations around Chicago.

Arriving to Chicago a few days before it was windy and very chilly, but on race morning the temperature was warmer, less wind, and for the first time during my visit I saw the sun. The start and finish was Soldier Field. The run was along the lake trail (sidewalk). The lake was beautiful and the course was fairly level. There was no ice on the trail and the large sell-out crowd seemed to have enough room coming and going. The challenge was bicyclist and other runners who were no part of the race also were using the same trail. It wasn’t too big of a deal with the runners, but the bikes meant runners needed to be alert. The run cut-off time was 3:30, which was 30 minutes more than I expected. Trying to get back into my running shape meant I had to push it toward the end when I thought I would not make it…but I did. The view around mile 2-3 and back at 10 (I think) gave a nice view of the city.

I am still not a fan of winter, but I would do this run again. It is a great crowd, well organized, and nice swag.