The Shamrock Shuffle 8k in March may be the official start to the reason season each spring, but the Soldier Field 10 Mile, besides being the first race where it's virtually guaranteed not to snow, is the heart and soul of Chicago running. If I was only able to do one race a year in this town, this would be it. There is no other atmosphere like it at the start, and there is no greater thrill than coming onto the field at the finish.

Have run the SF10 each of the past five years and it just gets better each time. The race is extremely well organized and extremely well run--Fleet Street Sports Chicago really spoils us with this one. Start corrals are appropriately assigned and enforced. The opening ceremony is often so moving it's hard not to wipe away a tear, and it's impossible not to be inspired for what you're about to do. There's plenty of food and refreshment after the race, and the post-race party is actually something you might want to stay around for a while.

7am is an early start, and there's often a mad dash for the parking lots with Lake Shore Drive backing up with panicked runners. If you do drive, best to arrive well before 6am--the one year I didn't, I had to choose between hitting the Port-A-Potty or making my corral cutoff (you know what I chose--lucky there were more facilities at the first water station). This year I got smart and stayed at the Hyatt at McCormick Place, and had a leisurely walk to the start line.

The course is pretty much an out and back along the lakefront, with, of course, the infernal McCormick Place Tunnel in the first mile. You almost don't mind it this time because you know there's 9 miles of open skies ahead of you. The next four miles are on Lake Shore Drive, where they close the northbound lanes for the runners. After the turnaround, its the lakefront path with some spectacular views of the skyline and the lake at various points. See for yourself, I GoPro'd the entire race this year: https://youtu.be/VniSWuSaCV8

The Finish on the 50 is something every Chicago runner should experience, football fan or not. It's just great to be out on that field. Best part: active service men and women placing the finisher's medal around your neck and handing out the water.

Swag has evolved over the years. There used to be a rather lame shirt plus a very nice stadium blanket. Last few years, the shirts have gotten much much better, but no blankets. No matter whether the shirts are designed well or badly, you want to show it off, because man, this is the SOLDIER FIELD 10 MILE. And you just finished on the 50.

Will be taking a break in 2016 to run some other May races, and I know I'm going to miss this so much I'll be back again for another streak of five years.