The inaugural Chi-Town rising 5K is a great way to end your year. Starting off at a modest time of 9am you don't need to get up at the crack of dawn knowing you are going to dance away the year later. The "expo" includes swinging by Fleet Feet to pick up your race day bag which is filled with gloves and a hat (cheers to not having one more tshirt to figure out what to do with) and Cliff Bars. The race itself goes starts and ends in Millennium Park, running a bit along the lake, and somehow hitting any tiny hill in that area. The post race party includes awesome vendors like David's Tea. The only downside to this race, for me, was that since it was brand new and not a ton of participants, corrals weren't exactly specific for running times which means that if you are a competitive you might have started the race a bit faster than you would like...which means you tired out a bit. Overall though a great race without any bumps considering it was the first year!

I have always wanted to run the Rock N Roll half as the swag is bomb and there are bands along the course. Unfortunately it's usually 90 degrees in July but this year, the temperatures were just right for a summer run. The start was pretty smooth. Lots of runners but it didn't feel like too much time in between elites and the slower runners. The course follows the marathon so while the views are not the most gorgeous, nor are they really shaded, it gives you a good idea of what you will be running in October and if you aren't a marathon runner, it gives you a view of what marathoner's run.

The bands along the course are a very cool and energetic addition, however I would have preferred to see more rock bands and less jazz bands. Don't get me wrong, they were all great, but jazz doesn't get me riled up to run.

The course was oddly hilly and elevated considering it's Chicago. I am always shocked how races seem to find any and every incline in this very flat city.

Overall I definitely recommend running this race at least once!

Did you know that when you sign up for the Rock N Roll 5K and the Rock n Roll half you are then the recipient of a third, more awesome medal? I definitely recommend signing up for all three races and if you sign up early on, the races are infinitely cheaper.

The downside to the 5K: course is a little boring. Starting off at Grant Park you turn onto the Lakefront trail and then head back to Grant Park. While this might be cool for an out of towner, if you run in Chicago it's the same old views you get everywhere.

This year's race seemed fairly small. I was in Corral 4 which, as an average runner, seemed a bit far up, but when I arrived and saw few people I understood why. Overall it's a decent 5K though if you are an avid 5K runner then I would say skip this one as it is not super special. There was only one band along the course and you could run this path for free on your own.

This is the first time I have run the Chicago marathon and my second marathon in my running career and it is every bit as great as people tell you it is. I don't even know where to begin.

The expo.... so well organized and planned out including buses to take you from the dreaded McCormick Place to somewhere more convenient.
Race information: the right amount given.
Race Day: I ran with Team PAWS so I got to do a gear check with them and use the bathrooms at the hotel where we were camped out (run with for a charity, so worth it). Security lines at the gate: so fast. So unbelievably fast.
Start time wait: Not too bad but definitely crowded.
Actual course: O-M-G. The greatest ever! Running up north was more familiar to me as that is where I live and down south and out west I found myself thinking where the hell am I? However, between the volunteers and spectators there were only a few times on the course that were quiet where I played music to keep me going. Which means I felt like I spent four hours listening to Cake By The Ocean, because I never actually finished the song. The Chicago spectators are just so amazing and wonderful and motivating. Definitely put your name on your shirt. It's so wonderful to hear people yelling for you as you run by them.
Aid and refreshment stations: Plentiful and staffed by people who get up at 5am to volunteer to serve you water and Gatorade while you make a weird choice to run a marathon. These people keep their energy up and dance and cheer for you because they are just that nice.
After party: OK so I didn't stay. I grabbed my medal (Love), got my water and Mariano's bag (which was filled with some yummy and not too unhealthy options) and went to meet my friends.

I could not have asked for a better race to run in my sort of home city.

Oh and pictures, are already available. So not only do they have 40,000 or so pictures of people to find but they have them ready the same day. I can't even.

I really enjoy the Mag Mile half (though how do they seem to find all of the hills on the south part of the trail)? I will say that I have run this race in the past when it was known as the Women's Half and I think I enjoyed it more. The expo had a bit more pizzazz and there is something about running with just women (and a few men) that makes you say YASSSS! This is the first year they have switched to a co-ed race. Packet pick up was nothing special. Stop by Fleet Feet, grab you packet, be on your way. I was in a mild state of shock when I looked at my bib and saw an A. I thought well that's wrong. When race day came I realized there were only four corrals so my letter made a bit more sense. However, I still had a difficult time pacing myself at the outset because you are running with folks who are elite and incredibly fast when you might be the slowest of the A. Overall though, great race, lovely views of Michigan Ave and then the south end of the lakefront trail which I never get to run. Volunteers were great and served us Nuun instead of Gatorade and my need to decrease the sugar thanks you.