Literacy Council is by far my favorite race. For 2014, they are offering a 10k as well (held May 10 if you're looking!). The race is held on a Saturday which is nice for recovery purposes. No chip timing. You start off on pavement and then make your way down gravel trails, eventually hiting paved bike path. You'll work your way onto grass and mulch/dirt trails, and then technically single-track trails, with a few "obstacles" thrown in here and there. Strategy is important if you're in it to win it. Start near the front and don't get caught behind slower runners. If you're caught at the back of the pack when you hit the single track trail, you're not going to be able to pass. You might be able to make up for lost time when you get out to prairie paths and the pavement againg, but around mile 12, you'll meet EDWINA. Edwina is mean. She will break your spirit. She is a heartbreaker in her own right, and she will burn out whatever your quads have left. Most people wind up walking/shuffling Edwina, so make sure you are prepared! I believe they are chip timing starting in 2014, so don't worry about having your tear tag ready.
After you finish, enjoy an amazing lunch of craft beer (Carlyle brewery), Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits, and local food. T-shirts are tech shirts, and the overall race quality and vibe is carefree and good cheer. Plan to get dirty and bring a change of clothes. The woods are muddy! Parking is great, there are accessible potties (you are running through forest preserves). The scenery and course are gorgeous, as everything is blooming in spring, and you run along the Kishwaukee River and through 3-4 forest preserves. Your time will likely be slower than a road-half, but that's okay and there won't be any judgement from your fellow racers!