The Chicago Marathon is the ideal course to run fast. It's pancake flat and there's a high level of amateur runners to make it so that you're rarely running alone (note: I can't speak to the sub-2:30 crowd). 45,000 runners can make logistics challenging, but I found navigating pre- and post-race easy. The course itself is nothing to write home about; there isn't much in the way of "views", but you get to see the city's spectrum and the fan support is quite strong (although it can't compete with New York or Boston). Aid stations are excellent, with block-long water and Gatorade stations.

One of the challenges with the race is that it's all concrete; there is no asphalt. On a personal level, this beat me up in ways that other races hadn't. I think that a shoe correction would be an easy fix. The finish is excellent, with a short uphill and then turning the corner for a short 200m sprint downhill with the finish line in sight. It's not like Boylston where the finish line feels like a lifetime away.

The expo was quite good, although parking can be challenging. If you can avoid it, don't park on the top level of the expo building (McCormick Place)! There's only one line out and you're stuck letting everyone in front of you in.

World Marathon Majors are always fun and Chicago is no exception. I love the international feel the race has as you run down the streets next to runners from all continents. Overall, great race (if you get the weather to cooperate!).