Race Packet Pick up was the major let down of this experience. It was at a Fleet Feet Chicago where the parking was hard to find and if you are unfamiliar with the area you can spend a few minutes wandering the street aimlessly. GPS is your friend in finding the store if this is your first time. Once inside, everything went smooth. I actually spent more time looking for the store than I did getting my stuff.

Fun fact, there is a nice bar down the street from where packet pick up was. Lovely decor and music and great prices for a drink. If you're running the event with friends it's a good place to catch up and plan.

The course is a large loop with some twists and turns thrown in to reach the distance. You are essentially running on Lake Shore Drive, the life road of Chicago, and are guaranteed a good amount of honking horns, enthusiastic waves from bikers and the obligatory random car trying to pull out. The cars and other interruptions are handled by the course managers. While I saw cars, bikes and walkers waiting when there were large packs of runners, they never interfered with the flow of the race. The finish is a turn through a small overpass and opens up for a great sprint. It is a wide open stretch that will push you into the finishers corral.

There is a hill that comes out of nowhere and is not gradual, but it is the only elevation on the course worth noting. It's flat and fast with great visibility. Aid and cheer stations are readily available, easily spotted and there isn't as much clutter as you might expect from a race of this size.

While the medal shape isn't unique, it is a great size, and has good details. Following the race, the celebratory beer and concert is a great meet up place.

Definitely one to add to your training if you are in the state and could be considered a destination race for a long weekend.