I first did this race as a come back race in 2009. otherwise from 2003-2009 I really didn't race anything longer than a 5k. I would sometimes go for a 7 or 8 mile run. but only ran 5ks.

In 2009 when I did this race, I was really impressed with the aid stations and how well the race functioned as an whole. Everything went pretty smooth.
I had such a good race experience I couldn't wait to do this race again, The downfall of this race is its the Saturday before memorial day. It is also the same weekend as the western springs tower trot and I love that race. So I have to pick every year, race and what race or to hang out with friends.

Pros:
finish on the 50 yd line
great medal
easy packet pickup
flat course out and back, plenty of room to not feel trapped and to move around
start corrals

Cons:
doesn't have any
my only complaint would be, last year I put myself in the 8:30 pace to finish, and I ended up finishing around 8:23 pace I think. I was in the 4th corral/ wave to go out. They had 4 colors and each color had a few different corrals in it. I was blue and the first blue. There were people in my corral who started out walking who had the same bib color as me, or people saying i hope I can do 10 min pace. which makes it harder to get to your pace from the start when you have to go around the walkers.

also it is hard to find a race in Chicago with a better parking set up. You can park in the parking garage for solider field for free.

some great aspects of Nike women's:
Its mostly women, easily to do better in your age group
Its Nike so there are a lot of perks
swap out your sports bra for a new one at mile six
the expotique where you pick up your bib is well organized and a lot of fun
so many picture spots along the course.
most the women there raised money for a cause
finish line was great, so many fun treats
you get a tiffanys inspired necklace from a fireman in a tuxedo
I like that you get your shirt when you finish, I feel its more fair way of doing things so a person who never ran the race doesn't get a shirt. It was a boring shirt, I didn't take it. I am not a tech tee racing shirt fan.
They sell the gear at the finish line, so you don't have to be like i saw something at the expo I wanted and now I can't get it. Its at the finish line.

cons:
you pass the finish at mile 10 and have to keep running
the course is pretty crowded except for a few spots.
especially the hills, I found most runners walking the hills and I love hills and had a hard time getting around them
the aid stations were cluster ...... seriously bring your own water

I have done this race three times now 2012,2010 and 2008. It use to be over in the west loop and then they moved it over to cannon drive. It is an awesome race.
Great for beginners or experienced runners a like.
Since it is on the path for part of the race it is a little crowded at the begging. There is a 5k or 8k option. I have done both.
in 2012 the race had great shirts. I don't like when races give out tech shirts, because I don't want to go for a run with a shirt with the name of a race on it. so I like when races offer a option for no shirt for less money, or cotton tees. The 2012 one was nice and I was able to give it to my aunt whose birthday is on Bastille day.
One of my favorite parts of this race is after party and the fact you get a cupcake when you finish. Who doesn't love cupcakes.
As far as the course goes, its pretty much the same course as all the other races that start on cannon dr. so nothing super exciting there. and since its in the Chicago its 100 percent flat, there are really no hills in Chicago anywhere. There are some tiny bumps but no hills.

It was my second decemeber race and my first back to back race, I ran the red bull trail daze the day before. It was pretty good weather in the 30s. Almost the same course as the bastille day 5k/8k. Ample parking by the zoo lot. The year I did it we got t-shirts, this year they gave out really cute hats. I will take a hat over a t-shirt any day.
What I like about an 8k, its that is it longer than a 5k, but easier to push and give a fast finish than a 10k. I had a 8k pr that morning. I saw quite a few people I knew out there. A lot of people dress up, which makes the race have good energy.