This is the first time I have run the Chicago marathon and my second marathon in my running career and it is every bit as great as people tell you it is. I don't even know where to begin.

The expo.... so well organized and planned out including buses to take you from the dreaded McCormick Place to somewhere more convenient.
Race information: the right amount given.
Race Day: I ran with Team PAWS so I got to do a gear check with them and use the bathrooms at the hotel where we were camped out (run with for a charity, so worth it). Security lines at the gate: so fast. So unbelievably fast.
Start time wait: Not too bad but definitely crowded.
Actual course: O-M-G. The greatest ever! Running up north was more familiar to me as that is where I live and down south and out west I found myself thinking where the hell am I? However, between the volunteers and spectators there were only a few times on the course that were quiet where I played music to keep me going. Which means I felt like I spent four hours listening to Cake By The Ocean, because I never actually finished the song. The Chicago spectators are just so amazing and wonderful and motivating. Definitely put your name on your shirt. It's so wonderful to hear people yelling for you as you run by them.
Aid and refreshment stations: Plentiful and staffed by people who get up at 5am to volunteer to serve you water and Gatorade while you make a weird choice to run a marathon. These people keep their energy up and dance and cheer for you because they are just that nice.
After party: OK so I didn't stay. I grabbed my medal (Love), got my water and Mariano's bag (which was filled with some yummy and not too unhealthy options) and went to meet my friends.

I could not have asked for a better race to run in my sort of home city.

Oh and pictures, are already available. So not only do they have 40,000 or so pictures of people to find but they have them ready the same day. I can't even.