If this race wasn't timed perfectly with the Chicago Marathon I am pretty sure it would not be on schedule. It is a little pricey, the expo is at Navy Pier which is not that accessible and closing the expo at 5pm on Saturday makes it hard to get to. The traffic and parking to get to the race on the southside of Chicago is logistically a huge challenge. If you are lucky enough to get one of the 1500 spots at the parking garage still be prepared to wait 30-45 minutes for entry and the same for leaving. Various shuttle services are offered, but none are close to where I live in the city making them not so convenient.

The course is pretty running along Lakeshore Drive, and it is honestly great fun to run on. Not crowded on the course, and unfortunately because of the location, not crowded for spectators... but not a big deal. It had well stocked aid stations. I ran a 1:23, won my age group, and it was a perfect day for a half. The final distance of the race was right on with my Garmin, but the mile markers were not consistent and were off. The first mile being off by over .1 of a mile. Also only my final time was recorded with none of my mid-race splits recorded.

The post race lou Mahnatis hit the spot!!

Bottom line: good course, good timing with the Chicago marathon. Management, logistics, and timing need improvement.

A great fun race with some slight uphill and downhills thrown in but still a fast course. A lot of adorable kids races. They were handing out a no-calorie diet fizz drink of sorts which didn't really fit with the rest of the overall awesome race management, complete with the ability to print out your own results very soon after the race was done.