I first did this race as a come back race in 2009. otherwise from 2003-2009 I really didn't race anything longer than a 5k. I would sometimes go for a 7 or 8 mile run. but only ran 5ks.

In 2009 when I did this race, I was really impressed with the aid stations and how well the race functioned as an whole. Everything went pretty smooth.
I had such a good race experience I couldn't wait to do this race again, The downfall of this race is its the Saturday before memorial day. It is also the same weekend as the western springs tower trot and I love that race. So I have to pick every year, race and what race or to hang out with friends.

Pros:
finish on the 50 yd line
great medal
easy packet pickup
flat course out and back, plenty of room to not feel trapped and to move around
start corrals

Cons:
doesn't have any
my only complaint would be, last year I put myself in the 8:30 pace to finish, and I ended up finishing around 8:23 pace I think. I was in the 4th corral/ wave to go out. They had 4 colors and each color had a few different corrals in it. I was blue and the first blue. There were people in my corral who started out walking who had the same bib color as me, or people saying i hope I can do 10 min pace. which makes it harder to get to your pace from the start when you have to go around the walkers.

also it is hard to find a race in Chicago with a better parking set up. You can park in the parking garage for solider field for free.