This race, organized by Fleet Feet Sports, is a (mostly) female race that takes you down the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. From what I understand, this race was held last year in June and was called simply 'Chicago Women's Half Marathon' – this year they added the Magnificent Mile to the name and course, and moved to Labor Day weekend (Sunday, August 31 was the race, with other fun events on Friday and Sunday, including Q&A sessions with Jenny Hadfield and Lauren Fleshman, and a shake out run). I was a bit disappointed in the course – though the lakefront path offers some lovely views of the lake, harbors, and skyline, so many of the races utilize it... it would have been nice to have some more mileage in the city or to go farther north down Michigan to at least the Water Tower (an earlier course map had much more road racing – south on Michigan to 31st and then over to the path – I'm sure city restrictions made for the course change, but it would have been nice). I was a bit concerned with the idea of so much of the race being on the LFP and the congestion that would ensue for the entire race, but it wasn't too bad, in my opinion. The race was well organized, and there are plenty of things I liked about it. I did get to see Lauren Fleshman pacing a group twice, which was exciting.

Things I enjoyed:
• Great volunteers! Everyone was so energetic and supportive.
• Performance racerback tank.
• Neat finisher medal.
• Plenty of aid stations with Gatorade Endurance, water, port-o-lets, and medical support.
• Course markings were clear (directional signs for half and 5k when they split, plenty of cones and volunteers to help with turnaround and any turns that were on course).
• Wave start.
• Clif Shot Bloks packages, LUNA Bars, and water before the race started.
• Post-race refreshments (apples, Gatorade, Water, frozen chocolate bananas, biscotti, LUNA Bars).
• Easy to get to start using CTA.
• Misting stations (these were MUCH appreciated, as the sun was so hot and not a ton of shade on course).
• Enthusiastic spectators.
• LUNA minis at aid stops #4 and #7.
• 3.5 hour course time limit from the time the last participant crossed the start line.
• B-tag timing.
• Course clocks and mile markers
• Pacers
• Running down Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile
• I was corral E, and found all of the aid stations still had plenty of water, Gatorade, and support for those of us towards the back.
• Girl power! So inspiring to see so many women out there trucking! Whether they were finishing first or finishing last, I thought it was great to see everyone out there doing their best (and on such a hot, sunny day).

Things I didn't like:
• Could have used more port-o-lets (the lines were long, though it moved quicker than I was expecting for the majority of users being women). I was expecting more for a female-based, Chicago race.
• Running down Michigan Ave/Magnificent Mile was great, but running the Lakefront Path like so many other races was a bit lacking for me.
• The final course map wasn't posted until approximately Wednesday, which showed the major change going from half Chicago streets and half LFP to mostly LFP. While we all know courses are subject to change due to city approval, it would have been nice to know sooner that so much of it would be on the LFP.