This was my first time running this race, although I understand it's newer, they changed the time of year from June to Labor Day weekend, and the course was new. I think the race being scheduled over a holiday weekend kept the number of participants down, but it was still a good size group of women where you were never running alone, but you weren't overcrowded.

Course: It was a lake path course with 2 miles in the city on the Mag Mile. Lake path courses are typically crowded, but this worked for the smaller number of race participants and that the course went several miles south beyond Soldier Field; less people and bikers than going North. Many people don't run south on the path, and it's beautiful and scenic, plus you have magnificent city skyline views on the way back. If the number of participants grows, I believe the path will be too crowded and they'll need to rethink the course.

The ice cold towels at the end of the race, and all the food/goodies were great, there just wasn't a great end of race gathering area/post party; would have been wonderful to celebrate with a beer. I ran with a charity so I was able to hang with the others who ran with the same charity, and they had the beers, etc., but there wasn't a meeting spot for hanging out with other friends who also ran.

SWAG/Expo: It was great to receive a tank instead of the standard t-shirt. The medal was AWESOME, and you can take it to be engraved for free with your name and finish time--nice bonus. Lots of sampling ops at the expo, and many events, which made it feel more like and event than just a race you showed up for on Sunday.

Race Management: Communication could have been much better (I didn't receive my email with my bib#/coral assignment; had to email for it), more timely (meaning earlier), and more clear (it wasn't clearly started when corals would close before the start of the race), plus the start corals were too small for the number of people assigned to each--coral A was overflowing and many women had to wait outside the coral and were then let in after, then more held back so coral B could start. Frankly I was surprised, as I've typically been impressed by how well FleetFeet runs their events. Additionally, which is a general comment for most races going forward, if races are going to have participants check all gear in a clear plastic bag, the bag should be much larger; we need to be able to fit dry shoes, clothes, etc.