It has been exciting to see this race grow from a run with friends to a full-blown regular event on the Chicago racing calendar. The 2018 event was well produced - the heated Soldier Field United Club staging area is just steps from the Start/Finish, the course is fast and flat, and as of 2018 offers prize money which always helps elevate the level of competition.

Packet pickup occurs for an entire week before the event in both the city and suburbs which is clutch - that said they ran out of men's smalls when I picked up which was admittedly very late (1 hour to go in pre-race pickup, haha).

We lucked out a ton and got a 35+ degree day which yielded some fast times as we were able to express our hard-earned winter fitness on the flat, fast course. Despite being an out-and-back, I never felt like the course was too crowded. I also enjoyed the cheers of oncoming runners and the level of competition.