I love this race. I always have and I always will. The main reason I love this race because of the greater purpose it serves. I love that Susan G. Komen puts on this race across the nation to help raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise money for breast cancer research. I lost my mom to breast cancer on December 27, 2008. Her battle was short but she was brave and positive the entire time. I ran this race in memory of her in 2009, 2011 and again this year.

I think it’s pretty cool this race is done on Mother’s Day! I also loved seeing everyone dressed in pink, men included. I was dressed head to toe in bright pink... This was only embarrassing as I ran the 5 miles home from the race. The pre/post race area was really big and as with most races, had all sorts of sponsors and vendors giving away things. This is a race that doesn’t attract elite runners and I’m more than okay with that. This gives me a much better opportunity to place well and what better race to do it at?

As much as I love this race, there are a few things I wish they would change – I think they should have separate starts for the 5k and the 10k. There was no way of knowing who was running what until the course split. I thought I was the 4th female for the 10k until I saw each of the three other women who I knew were ahead of me turn and follow the 5k course. By this point, I had already mentally come to terms that I wasn’t going to make my goal of being in the top 3 because these women were moving fast! It was tough to switch mindsets so suddenly.

I also think they could add some extra re-assurance that you’re on the course. There are some fairly long stretches where you just follow the lakefront path (BORING!!!). I usually run races assuming I continue straight ahead unless there’s a sign/person specifically telling me to turn; however, some pink balloons could help confirm I didn’t miss a sign. When you’re in the zone – it’s amazing what you can miss.

The other part of the course they should change is near the Shedd Aquarium. The inbound runners (for a lack of better terminology, I’m referring to those who have already run as far south as the course goes and have turned around and are now heading back towards the finish line) have to cross the path of the outbound runners. I mean, you literally have to say ‘excuse me’ and cut someone off or stop and stand there and wait until there’s a break in the people. It’s annoying and dangerous.

The final thing about the course I would change – they should more clearly mark the finish line. I saw a crowd of people standing at the corner of the street and I saw some timing mats; however, I don’t recall seeing anything indicating this was the finish. I think there was a clock but since this finish line was in a different spot than I remembered from the 2011 race, I thought I had to keep going.

I would also change the shirts. Who likes cotton tshirts for running? I understand not everyone who is doing this race is a runner and wants/needs dri-fit but clearly everyone is active on some level and thus sweats. I would wear my shirt on runs if it was dri fit!

The final thing I would comment upon (and also noticed someone else mentioned it) - the results posted subsequent to the race don’t seem to be correct. I agree with my time and my gender place, but I don’t agree with my overall place. I was NOT the overall winner and you can clearly see that based on my time vs. second place’s time. I was 11th overall. Although this doesn’t really affect many people and it’s not difficult to find where I should actually be, it still required more effort on my part to determine this rather than just reading.

I gave this race an overall 5 stars and recommended others do this race because of the greater purpose of this race; however, it’s not the perfect race.

Race for the cure. Hope for the cure. Pray for the cure.