If you are looking for a 50-miler to try this is the one. This event is SO well run (last year I crewed, and this year I got to run!). It's a decent field size, but also manageable where you are not overwhelmed. They also waved the start so the trails didn't get over-crowded which was very nice. Parking is easy and the directions to the start are very clear.

Start/Finish area is so great. All the aid stations are amazingly well run and stocked, volunteers are fantastic! While there is some serious elevation in this, the terrain is much more manageable than what I was anticipating in my head so I was able to power hike the rocky terrain/hills and run strong during the grassy/flatter sections.

Course markings and volunteers were great. It was a little challenging at parts in the dark but I imagine it will always be that way in the dark?

The t-shirt is nice and a great fit. You get a nice pair of Smartwool socks. I know last year runners also go t a hand held but this year they substituted a buff.

I'm sure I'll be back to do this race (though maybe a shorter distance?!). The multiple distances offered also makes it easy to get a group together to run!

I don't know what else I can say. This is my 3rd time running this race and every time it is amazing. The course has set me up for amazing PRs (16 min and 7 min PRs!). I've also been blessed with amazing cool weather (2009/2012/2014).

The aid stations are second to NONE. They are LOOONG with plenty of opportunities to grab liquids, clearly marked, well manned. Love the course support from the city and the diversity in the neighborhoods. The race has been flawlessly run for years. Medal is always great.

A few differences I did notice this year - get there MUCH earlier to get into your corrals due to new security measures, finish line was emptier than normal due to security.

And, I'm sure a few will post but the t-shirt design this year was a let down. Very simple and gray vs a really eye-catching signature marathon shirt. For me, though, it was gender-specific cut and fit me well so it still gets high marks for me!

Overall, I can't see a reason NOT to keep running Chicago!

This was my first time doing this event, and the first time they've run on the Mag Mile and done it over Labor Day. I always love Fleet Feet events so I had high expectations.

What's to Love:
They really did a great job making it a weekend to celebrate running. LOVED the events with Lauren Fleshman and Jenny Hadfield - such a great perk for the city of Chicago and Lauren was a DELIGHT!

SWAG - Liked the tank vs t-shirt (I have WAY too many t-shirts) and great medal!

Course - you either love or hate the lakepath. Normally I don't love primarily lakepath courses but you get the most consistent GPS readings (vs going in the city) which is nice if you are aiming for a specific time (which I was). Also, the turn-around made for GREAT runner on runner cheering when you could see people heading down and back which was super fun. Something very unique to women's races - lots of strangers cheering us on when we were running back which was so awesome!! And aid station support is always great and well-marked for FF events.

Post-race area was easy to navigate!

What can improve:
Better communication earlier on about race weekend - let us know earlier on if info is going to be delayed.

Also, can we get some booze post-race? =D I would love to see this for next year!! Can you tell my priorities?

Overall would definitely do this again. Saw so many women runners I knew and it was a great atmosphere!

This my second year in a row doing this race and had a great time with friends! It's one of the best post-race parties with the tailgate environment, lots of vendor/sample tents and fun activities with bags, football/field goal contests, etc.

I also love the school spirit being a fellow Illini. The shirt fits great and the trucker hat swag was AMAZING!! I will be using that for a long time to come :) The aid stations were VERY well marked/organized for a 10K (diff color cups for gatorade vs water etc).

The only one less than ideal comment was the course. Running West of LSD by McCormick is pretty industrial. And the two u-turns are in the last mile would be brutal if I had been gunning for a PR. Luckily I was fun running it so it didn't matter much.

Overall - very fun race and hope to get more Illini and Big Ten fans to do it next year!

This is always one of my favorite races every year. Great expo, lots of post-race food (one of my key selling points!), and well run!

What I thought was different this year:

Corrals - They weren't as strict about monitoring people going in and out of the corrals, but they were very small so they spaced them well enough that it really cut down on course-crowding. VERY important for a race as big as this one!

Music - Heard city wouldn't let them have bands downtown. Such a bummer as that's what I've always loved about it. Wonder if it's worth considering a different course so we can get more music! Mile 10-11 was great with speakers down the entire mile and some rockin' music. Definitely want more of that! =D

Everything else was as good as ever!