I was one of the very few to make it in through the overseas ballot. London was my 6th and final World Marathon Majors race. Go me.

Expo. Because my hotel was near the finish line, getting to the expo was no easy task. Brain surgery may have been easier. Three trains later, I arrived. The actual expo was fine. Crowded with lots going on. The official New Balance gear left much to be desired. I badly wanted a jacket but they ran small so the womens' large were all gone when I got there. The mediums were too small. So disappointed. The line to checkout was a PIA.

Race Day. I was anxious about making it out to Blackheath via train for the start but it was super easy. The train station was right across the street from my hotel so it took me literally 1 minute to get there. Boarding was seamless (and trains are FREE! on race day) and we got to Blackheath in 25 minutes or so. Like Boston, the London Marathon starts relatively late in the morning so fueling can be a challenge. Potty lines were outrageously long and slow moving. If it weren't for the Women's Urinals (what?!) I'd not have been able to go. Gear check was easy peasy.

Spectators: Amazing. Among the best in the world. No need to wear music because you won't hear it over the cheering. Loved the signs and crazy costumes. This is truly a street party.

The Course: I loved it. Similar to Boston again, it starts out in a far-flung hamlet and you run it in toward central London. It's fun to take in the sights and sounds of the various villages. Crossing the iconic Tower Bridge is nothing short of spectacular. From that point on the views get better and better. The views across the Thames of Big Ben, Parliament, etc are amazing. Making that final turn in front of Buckingham Palace is something I'll never forget. Finishing on the mall is one of the best ever.

Aid Stations: Very well done. I think there was one about every mile. They gave out Lucozade and water with some gels, jelly beans interspersed along the course. I tried a Lucozade sachet and that was interesting. I appreciate all the things mgmt. is doing to be more ecoconscious.

Post-Race: Compared to other large marathons, they move you through the finish area pretty quickly by giving you your medal almost immediately and everything else all in one bag. My bag did not contain a heat sheet so I had to wait til I got my gear to warm up. Gear retrieval was easy although it was a long walk to my particular truck. Post-race recovery food was minimal and nothing special.

Swag: The medal is nothing special but it is pretty much the same year to year. The shirt is average. Unisex cut so not great for us ladies.

Overall the celebratory vibe, enthusiastic spectators and fabulous course make this race a must-do if you can score an entry.

This was my first time running this race. Shocker, I know. I shied away for so long because of the huge size for a relatively short distance. I live about an hour from downtown Chicago so getting into the city can be a trek.
When I learned they had a shuttle bus from the train to the expo, I registered. It worked like a charm for going TO the expo. The boarding place was well marked and easy to find and I waited no more than 5 minutes.

Expo: Nothing special. I thought it'd be larger than it was. It took me no more than 10-15 minutes to go through all of it. Here's where I ran into the problem: When I went to catch the shuttle BACK to the train, the next one wasn't for an hour, which meant I'd miss my train. So I took an Uber. Sigh.

Race Day. Heading downtown on the train was quick and easy. Gear check was seamless and so was finding our corral. Loved the rendition of the National Anthem!

The Course: This is sort of a mini version of the Chi Marathon course, which is really nice. It's a nice, quick tour of the city before making the trip up Mt. Roosevelt and finishing in the same spot as the marathon. The vibe is super fun and festive with so much GREEN! Aid stations were perfectly adequate. Spectators were on the sparse side but it didn't really matter.

The Swag: Nice Nike Dri Fit tee and a really pretty Celtic-inspired medal. LOVED the fun knit hat too! Can't go wrong with all that for an 8k!

Overall I loved this race and will be returning. It was a great way to kick off the spring racing season in Chicago

This is a fantastic race in a world-class city. Each marathon is unique and this is one-of-a-kind. Be aware that there are course sweeps approximately every 5k and they're based on gun time. If you're in a back corral you need to keep moving! My only criticism of this race is that there aren't enough porta potties at the start or on the course so lines are long. Be sure to read the runner guide and know the logistics and rules before you run. The Japanese are very strict with their rules.

ZOOMA is known for their destination race series that caters to women runners and their BRFs. ZOOMA Great Lakes did not disappoint.
Expo. While smallish, it featured plenty of race gear and swag as well as exhibitors. A wellness coach spoke at the expo, which was a nice touch. Packet pickup was quick and easy.
RACE. I won't mince words, the course is CHALLENGING if you are a flatlander like I am. seemed like we were constantly running up or downhill. Very scenic but not easy. The race starts on the grounds of the Lake Lawn Lodge, which is where we stayed so the start was super convenient. Sunrise over Lake Delavan was amazing too but bring bug spray.
AID STATIONS. I wore a hydration pack so I can't speak to this.
SWAG. In a word, awesome. I won an AG award too.
POST-RACE. The food was adequate but nothing standout. The after-party had a nice, celebratory vibe though and there was a bar. The following morning featured sunrise yoga and the lodge has a pool so lots of fun! Overall a really fun weekend!