Have run the Illinois Half Marathon in 2014 and 2015, and have to say this is one of the nicest and most friendly races I've been to. My daughter attends the University of Illinois, which makes a great host for race weekend, and it seems like the whole community turns out and supports the runners, either as volunteers or cheering spectators along the course.

The course itself is flat and fast, with the only ascent of note in mile 12, a long very slight incline that can drain tired legs if you're not ready for it. Most of the half marathon goes through the campus and the neighborhoods of Urbana. The scenery is not spectacular but it's a nice route, with enough to look at along with some music along the way. The finish line is in Memorial Stadium on the 50 yard line, making this a nice companion race to the Soldier Field 10 Mile in Chicago. Aid stations are plentiful, the volunteers are trained up and cheerful; and the reception at the finish line is strong with mylars, food, and plenty of support.

Packet pick up is easy on campus, and the race expo isn't bad for the area, and is worth a walk through. The race t-shirts are just ok, but the finisher's medals are usually very nice.

Anyone who ran in 2015 can tell you the weather was a challenge this year--cold and rainy, with the wind blowing in our faces the first half of the race. Semi-epic, and actually made for some fast if soggy times. Race organizers had to call the full marathon because of thunderstorms, which made for some very cranky runners who didn't show their best sides, but the organizers correctly stood their ground and did their best to clear the course in the interest of safety. Volunteers took some uncalled-for abuse but in the end, and overall, it was another great race weekend.

Austin is one of the great towns in America, made even better by a trip to run the Austin Statesman Capitol 10k.

This is one of Austin's signature races and the largest 10k in Texas. Finally made it in from Chicago this year for a fabulous weekend on the town and a challenging race in challenging conditions.

Let's start with this: Austin is just awesome. The music, the food, the atmosphere, the shopping on South Congress--the Driskill Hotel, which wasn't official race headquarters but was less than a mile walk to the start line. The temptation is to fill up on too much BBQ and walk around town too much in cowboy boots and stay out waaaay too late on the Friday and Saturday before the race, but a little discipline helps. There are some great restaurants other than BBQ for pre-race meals; by all means pick up a pair of boots at Allen's Boots but keep them in the box til you head out to Salt Lick on Sunday after the race; and start early on Sixth Street for the honky tonks and you'll get enough music before a reasonable bedtime.

The race is awesome too. Great atmosphere, professional management (they've been doing this for decades), and a surprisingly difficult course. Anyone who has ideas that Texas is flat, get those ideas out of your head--this is the start of Texas Hill Country. The start line is on the south side of the Ann Richards Bridge (the one with all the bats underneath it) and the course starts by a slow incline up Congress Avenue straight at the state capitol building. Flatlanders will feel it a little bit, but it's just the warmup. Quick right, quick left, another left, and the steep hills start--two of them behind the Capitol, south of the University of Texas campus. Little bit of a break, then a long uphill in mile three that will make or break your race. These hills were as tough as the first half of the San Francisco Marathon--run both and you tell me.

The course flattens out after the halfway point, some more rollers but nothing extraordinary as the course winds through some neighborhoods, then along the Colorado River (known here as Lady Byrd Lake), and back across a bridge to finish near the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn. Do not forget to take your picture with Stevie Ray. Just do not.

Here's the kicker though: I went south to Texas hoping to get in a warm weather race to prepare for something else I had on the calendar later in the spring. Just wanted a little bit of heat acclimation. The air temp wasn't too bad, 68 degrees. But the humidity? 96%. Complete saturation no matter how you measure it. Was like running through a cloud at times. Everyone was drenched through by the end of the first mile.

The expo was okay, nothing special. Same for the race t-shirt. But the official swag that was sold at the expo? Extra special. I mean, a quality t-shirt with an armadillo on it? How about a steer skull? Great stuff and worth the trip almost all by itself. Have never had so many compliments and questions on race merchandise.

There aren't many direct flights in and out of Austin, so it's a good plan to stay Sunday night too, and do all the things you wouldn't do before a race. What a great town. Will be back again someday, and will make sure I'm trained up for the hills and the heat.

Yes, it's in a shopping center parking lot. Yes, it's in March in Chicago, when the wind whips your face and freezes (as it did one year) the tears to your cheeks.

But hey, it's St. Patrick's Day, they give out green shirts and pot o' gold age group medals, and there's nothing wrong with that. Worth it if you live in the area and want a tune up for the Shamrock Shuffle 8k, which is usually a week or two later.

The race organizers, All Community Events, are competent and professional , and while this isn't necessarily one of their signature races they get a nice turnout and provide a good experience especially for less experienced runners. Not a bad place to start your running career or your season.