This was my first large scale triathlon in terms of # of participants. I can't imagine what a nightmare it is trying to coordinate 4 events (International, Sprint, SuperSprint and Kids)

Packet pick up was located at the Hilton Chicago (in the basement). Kind of a weird spot for packet pick up and a fairly large expo. I think logistically they should have the expo in 1 room instead of two. T-Shirt was OK, but I was happy about the color of my swim cap (purple!). I enjoyed getting to this expo more than I enjoy going to Navy Pier or even McCormick place.

Racers had the option to bike-check the day before. It had rained which probably deferred people to check in the morning. I decided to go last minute and check my bike in. I am glad I did, I got a pretty good transition spot.

The only major bummer about this race for anyone who does not live (or is not staying downtown) is the timing. We had to get up at 2:45 am, take the train (45-50min), in order to arrive on time to set up transition. It's just early. I understand it is to get the race started shortly after 6am while it is still cool-ish out, but man, rough times.

I thought the set-up of the swim was great. The course was in DuSable Harbor which is kind of gross and seaweedy, and eventually got pretty rough. It is kind of crazy that they set in bleachers for in/out of the water. They have volunteers helping you out of the water. I wish the 1/4 mile jog to transition was a tad shorter, but whatever, we're in the city.

The transition area was pretty well marked, but ended up being VERY muddy due to the storms the evening before. They could have maybe put out carpet on the grass in the main corridor of the bike in/out area.

Biking up and down Lake Shore Drive was pretty fun. I am so used to the path and this offered a unique experience. Also biking on Intermediate Wacker Drive and the busway was really interesting!

The run course was like many other run courses in Chicago - South on the Lake Front Path to 31st street and finishing on Columbus Drive. Very familiar. My only complaint is that it is unshaded. This was offset by having cooling fans and many aid stations (7 total for the International distance).

After finishing, you are greeted with an ice cold towel, water & Gatorade and your finisher medal. The medal is huge and functions as a bottle opener and is also a magnet. The medal is actually too heavy for the magnet (it initially sticks to the fridge, but then falls off).

Post race beer and food by Goose Island was mediocre. Chicken was dry and salad was not as good as I wanted it to be!

Overall, this was a pleasant experience. I loved racing triathlon and plan to do more!

This is my second time doing the Canal Run. I was excited to run this race as we would be in Houghton/Hancock for a friends wedding (which was on Friday). I ran this race a *little* hungover, and didn't do as well as I thought I would.

They didn't have a bib pick up any other time besides Friday afternoon and Saturday morning (at the race finish line), so my aunt had to pick up my bib. This was OK because she lives 1 mile from the start line so it was easy to pick up in the morning. We didn't participate in it, but they have a pasta dinner catered by the Keweenaw Co-Op (they catered our Rehearsal Dinner for our wedding and it was amazing).

We were able to drive to the start which is located at beautiful McLain State Park. The start line is what you would expect in such a small race - a line drawn on the pavement with spray paint. Haha. Some pre-race announcements were stated and the gun went off.

The course starts off with nice rolling hills. A couple large-ish climbs in the mix. The aid stations could be better marked with one table of water and one table of powerade. The volunteers were trying their best, but I don't think they could keep up with middle of the pack people. Especially once the 1/2 Marathon, 10 Mile and 5 mile were all mixed in.

Last 1.5 miles is a tough, gradual climb. At the finish line, you celebrate with Mitch and MaryAnn - local (annoying) radio celebs. The age-group awards were made of copper (it's the Copper Country!). My dad placed 3rd in his age group, Eric 1st in his age group and me 1st in my age group. I think the competition isn't as great as it used to be in the 10 miler, now that the 1/2 marathon has been added. Though I think it is a great way to get the community active together.

Best part: FREE race photo downloads courtesy of Brockit Photography. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Now only if I was photogenic.

After a very successful 2013 season, I wanted to join the "2-hour Club" at the 5/3 River Bank Run. Had everything gone perfectly - I may have achieved this feat. However, the odds were NOT in my favor.

Great entry fee - $35. You get a cotton logoed Tshirt. You can pay extra to get the "official" tech tee. I have too many of those already, so I just saved my cash. The expo was easy to get to and fairly quiet. I didn't have to wait in the lines for anything. The SWAG bag was nothing special - but did include a sample packet of Vegetable (or Soy) Oil that expired in 2012 - WTF!

I woke up feeling un-motivated and a little dehydrated, but that isn't the race's fault. We got to the race start with ease and hung out in the DeVos place until 8:10ish when we reported to the corral. It was seriously the most laid back system ever. I lined up with the "Official 2-hour Pacing Group"..and at 8:20, we were off. The first couple miles were ripped off in 7:30s (Note: we should have been cruising at 7:43 pace) - so obviously the pacers needed to learn a lesson on pacing. DON'T BUILD A CUSHION, PEOPLE.

I had to pee, I stopped at one of the port-o-potties (first EVER potty break in a race). The doors opened up INTO the flow of the race, which doesn't make any sense and it is the first time I'd seen that happen in such tight quarters.

After I decided to not go for 2-hours anymore, I heard some girls chatting and they said their 8:00min/mile paces were ripping off 7:45s for the first half of the race. Seems like they need to hire better pacers - ones that run even splits, not building a cushion for the hills later, because you don't loose too much time on them.

Crowd is minimal except for a few key spots around mile 6.5 and the finish. I will admit the course scenery is nice - along a river, some of it shaded, the second-half is pretty much in the sun and hilly. Oh the sun - that came out and made things HOT. The aid stations were nothing to brag about, unprepared people trying to give you cups with a TABLESPOON of water or gatorade. Fill 'em half way, people.

The medal was just a small little thing with a green ribbon and the Runner Refresh food was nothing special.

Overall, I like the distance of the race. You don't get to race 25k very often. However, I think it could use a few upgrades for next year including a "waved" start, better/more consistent pacers, better runner refresh area, etc.

Great Expo, Great Aid Stations! They improved the size of their Corrals, so getting into the higher seeded ones wasn't an issue and there wasn't anyone getting trampled as they tried to enter this year - major plus.

The shirt was pretty corporate - white with the BoA logo and a shamrock on it in Blue & Red. :(

It was our first visit to New Orleans. Weather was great except on race day - humid, hot, foggy, rainy? I don't even remember.

The first half of the course was great - the second half was an out and back...kind of boring! Though it was nice to see friends out there and cheer each other on!