I ran this race in both 2012 and 2013.

In 2012, I ran the 10K. My mom works in downtown Detroit, so she picked up my packet for me, and said it was easy and straightforward. I showed up at the start not much earlier than start time, and we were off. It was a sunny, but chilly thanksgiving morning, and I enjoyed each mile of the race. The only complaint I have is that the finish line was located around a curve, and that, by the time you got to within half a mile of the finish, you were at a walking pace, no matter how fast you were running, because of the pileup. This was NOT enjoyable.

I ran this again in 2013. That year, I decided to do the drumstick double -- something being offered for the first time that year. It involved running both the 10K and the 5K. My friend and I ran the 10K at a steady pace, and finished up with a decent time. The course had certain points with candy canes and cookies, which were much appreciated. Its surprising how nice mint is on a run! it was COLD though, and the water provided on the course had (unintentional) ice in it. By the time we looped around for our 5K, it had started to rain and snow. The course was so slick that our 5K time ended up being almost as long as our 10K time. This had nothing to do with the race itself of course, but it was still a bit treacherous. By the time we got around to the cookies and candy canes again, they were all out, which was a bummer, and partially the fault of the race directors. But overall, I really loved this race and am planning on running the drumstick double again this year!

Plus its the perfect morning calorie defect to make lots of room for all the thanksgiving food later in the day!!

I loved running chicago. It was my first marathon, after a summer in chicago, so the course was familiar. The crowd support during the race is phenomenal -- people every step of the way. I had trained poorly, due to an injury, and ended up near the end of the pack, but had people cheering for me every step of the way.
Being one of the largest marathons in the world, the expo was big and well attended. I was able to stock up on quite a few running things that I'd have to order online otherwise.

It's an expensive race, but the experience is worth it. The course support from both volunteers, spectators, and other runners makes the high fee worthwhile.

The shirts ran small, so order a size up. I was able to exchange mine at the expo, but thats not guaranteed.

The aid stations had both water and gatorade, and various energy chews and gels.

Overall, chicago is a really fantastic race in a really fantastic city. I would recommend it to anyone!

I liked the big ten 10K. I signed up for the 10K, but ended up injured, and decided to walk the 5K instead. Making the switch at packet pickup was no problem at all. Packet pickup was at fleet feet chicago, and well organized.

It was great seeing so many people out in big ten swag on a weekend morning in chicago.

The race was well organized, course went around solider field, and looped back near the planetarium. its far enough south that you're not right downtown, but also not so far away that public transit isn't easy to use.

Overall a fun, big, chicago race.