This was such a fun race and a fun night!! I will definitely be signing up next year and I highly recommend this race to everybody.

Positives:
-4 wave start, 15 minutes apart. Each wave had their own Bears player (Briggs, Marhsall, Cutler, Tillman) and the bibs and shirts were exclusive for each wave.
-Upon starting the race you'd run through the big blow up bear and there were fireworks, Staley da Bear, and flag runners. Exactly like when the players run onto the field. Super awesome!!!
-Mostly wide course in the beginning so there wasn't much congestion and then on the path on the way back the crowd has thinned out enough so it wasn't too crowded.
-Volunteers were awesome!!
-Course was clearly marked and had course marshalls so you knew where you needed to go.
-Announcer at the finish line was entertaining and called out your name when you crossed the finish line.
-Ice cold towels, water, and Gatorade along with plenty of bananas, Cheez-Its, cookies, Ritz crackers, etc at the finish line.
-Mister along the course and two after the finish.
-Awesome post-race party with great vendors!!! Dunkin Donuts and "Bears Tracks" ice cream, 1 free beer per racer, Bears posters, Bears towels, Athletico for stretching.
-Meet and greet with autographs from Bears alumni
-Jumbotron to watch the Seahawks vs Packers game

Could improve for next year:
-The aid station on course had plenty of water poured out but not Gatorade. People had to pour themselves Gatorade (I was in the first wave!)
-Better information prior to race, I could not find a course map and in the email they did send out, the course map wasn't actually linked where it said "Click here for course map"
-Packet pick up information was not given out until the first day of packet pick up on Tuesday. I had to change plans so I could pick it up prior to the race.

This was my first year running this race, newly called the Mag Mile Half, and overall I was happy with it. Yes, there are some things to improve upon for next year but in my mind they promised the Mag Mile and they delivered the Mag Mile (except for like .2 of it). Fleet Feet races are the absolute best races in Chicago and they continued to show that to me with this race.

Positives:
-Weekend full of activities to celebrate women + running.
-Lauren Fleshman!!!!
-Packet pick up was a breeze.
-Expo was small + outside + it was lovely.
-Fun at the start line with the music + announcer + speeches from Lisa and Lauren.
-The first 2+ miles of the course were just awesome in every way.
-Plenty of fully stocked aid stations. (I was not interested in the Luna bars so I can't comment on if they were there or not)
-Plenty of port-o-lets and no lines! And even more exciting there was plenty of toilet paper in the ones that I used.
-Misters on the course!!!!!
-Spectators were plentiful and awesome.
-Volunteers were amazeballs.
-Immediate post finish was great with ice cold cloths, water, gatorade, apples, luna bars, etc etc etc.
-Medal is the bombdotcom!

Could use improvements:
-Communication prior to race. Packet pick up/expo was not announced until very late
-Corrals were way too small. I was shocked at how small they were.
-BOOZE!!! Come on Fleet Feet, if I can get a can of High Life after one of you 5ks I should be able to get a glass of bubbly after a half marathon!!

On another note: I'm not so sure how I feel about having men participate. I understand they most likely are legally not allowed to exclude men and I don't mind men running alongside a special woman to support her...but the fact that 2 or 3 speedy men finished before the first woman seems silly and counterproductive to the values of the race itself. Maybe men can have their own corral and start last?