This was my second time running the Chicago Marathon, and it was just about perfect. Low winds, ideal temps (40s), and stellar organization contributed to a great race and PR for me.

The course is just awesome. It winds along the lake a bit and through the city, hitting all the different neighborhoods and taking runners on a beautiful tour of the city. Crowds are some of the best I've ever seen, at LaSalle/North Ave and Chinatown - holy crap did it get LOUD.

Elevation is super flat, aid stations are expertly run (gatorade first, THEN water!), the expo has the best vendors and booths, and the swag is always stellar (love my t-shirt from both years). And with about 40K participants each year, the excitement is palpable.

The Chicago Marathon is one of the best organized and most exciting races in the country. Put it on your list.