This was my second year running this race, and in 2015 it was held on Saturday, May 23. It was really great weather - it started in the mid-50s, and was in the low 70s when we were getting kicked out of the tailgate party (when I say kicked out, it's because we stayed until the end).

There isn't an actual expo for this race, but I rated them a 5 because of their packet pickup system. They had multiple days for pickup, including new (this year) suburban locations. I went on a Thursday afternoon and it was easy breezy. They had the bibs in the lobby-type area of Piper's Alley, and then shirt pickup was through the back of Fleet Feet. I think having the 2 sections separate would be quite helpful when it got crowded.

PROS:
+ Some of the best race SWAG: tech shirt and medal
+ SWAG Post-race included a reusable handled SF10 bag with LOTS of snacks: banana, fruit snacks, Skinny Pop popcorn, pretzels, Lemonheads, Oreos, & a Clif Organic Trail Nut Bar.
+ Bottled water at the finish line.
+ Multiple days and locations for packet pickup.
+ Race Day Will-Call Packet Pick-Up. For only $15 per packet, participants can sign up for this service when they register for the race.
+ Friends/family were able to pick up packets - needed the bib confirmation email and a 'note' from the runner that you were given permission to pick up their packet.
+ Parking Validation at packet pickup.
+ Energetic volunteers.
+ Plenty of Aid Stations, manned well, with Gatorade first and water second.
+ The course takes you onto Lake Shore Drive, which helps with the congestion.
+ 4 Corral colors, with each corral having separate waves - again, helped with congestion.
+ Cups of Gatorade being handed out as you walk off the field.
+ One of the best race finishes - running onto Soldier Field and finishing on the 50 year line.
+ Military men and women handing out medals - having the opportunity to thank them for their service was wonderful.
+ Perfect weather. No... the race directors can't help this whether it's good or bad, but it certainly helps with a great race day!
+ Other goodies after the race included Muscle Milk, Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee Samples
+ GOOD BEER at the tailgate party - Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat or Pale Ale
+ Tailgate party lasts long enough that even the final runner has time to enjoy the music & drinks.
+ FREE PARKING.
+ Plenty of race communication/emails to keep the runners updated.
+ Icing station post-race outside - I got my leg iced and saran wrapped on afterwards and the guy was super nice and wrapped it on super well.
+ INSIDE bathrooms! I didn't even have to wait, plus using actual running water (and no ports-potties) makes me happy.

CONS:
... honeslty, I thought this was a great race, and there isn't much to complain about. I guess my only 'problem' was that I wanted to park in the South Lot or at Waldren Deck, but they had the exit ramp blocked off so I had to go to the North lot. This took me maybe 15 more minutes that I had planned, so I missed the group photo I was trying to get to (one girl had to get to her corral), but it was fine. I still had plenty of time until I started. And I don't think it's worth complaining about because the parking was FREE - and is normally $20 for other races, just thought I'd mention as I want to post all details of my race experience. That's where the only rating less than 5 stars came from and why. But again, that's being SUPER nit picky... I was just happy it was free!

I definitely recommend this race and plan on coming back next year. You can read my longer, more personal version here: http://www.heatherrunsthirteenpointone.com/2015/05/soldier-field-10-mile-recap.html.