4.25 miles, 17 miles, or 34 miles were your choices for this elimination style race. Each loop was 4.25 miles on a trail, which was mostly flat. One hour to finish each loop, if you are unable to finish in a hour you are eliminated.
The format of the race is what made me sign up, so interesting, new, and as it turns out very fun. A more social style of running where you had time between loops to chat, stretch, eat, whatever you wanted. I really liked that it broke up the miles and gave you time to enjoy your fellow runners.
Not a chipped race, only the last loop counted in determining the winners, and the only winners recorded were the 1st place male and female finishers for each distance.
There was also a hill repeat contest, of which I did not participate in, but the winning male did 96! 96 hill repeats.
I will sign up in 2016!

This is my favorite Chicago race! My third year in a row, I plan to run this race every year! They take corral placement very seriously, people that try to move up corrals before the race are always turned away. I used to think that was a little unnecessary, but once you experience how well organized the race is you realize there is a method to their madness.

Not too much scenery being that we start our running on Lake Shore Drive, but the view of the city skyline after the turn around is always a delight! Plenty of aid stations on this flat and fast course, so there is no reason to come with a hydration belt/pack.

Finishing on the 50 is always fun.....if you are thinking about signing up for next year DO IT!

Oh.My.G! This race should be on everyone's bucket list! Being a Disney virgin, I didn't quite know what to expect and the race ended up blowing my mind!

Swag- shirt is nice, but truth be told I liked the marathon shirt design more

Medal- hello Donald Duck!! Best medal in my collection

Course- clean, sectioned off, well lit, lined with either loud/happy/joyful volunteers or excited spectators. This just added to the whole vibe of the race

Aid stations- great, well stocked, excellent volunteers....there were almost too many. My only comment here is that the nutrition station wasn't until mile 8.5, seems a little late for anyone who may have forgotten nutrition.

Characters- FABULOUS!!! I stopped just about everywhere I could, and the longest I had to wait was 3 1/2 minutes. Professional photographers at every stop along with volunteers to take pictures for you with your cell phone. I would suggest, they have more lighting near characters in the early stages of the race seeing as how the race starts at 5:30. My Buzz Lightyear picture is so dark........sad panda!

I didn't check any gear, but I should have stuffed a small plastic bag into my flip belt. Post race, Disney gives you plenty of fluid and nutrition...... it was hard to carry it all with my 2 little hands.

Some people where costumes, some don't. Personally, I think its more fun with a costume but you certainly don't have to wear one.

If you are thinking about it, do it!

This race is SOOOO well done......from the swag to the aid stations, the finshers festival, volunteers, and overall vibe. I did the marathon relay and would absolutely do it again, it reminded me of relay races from my old track days in high school. I did not train on trails, so keep that in mind when seeing my rating for elevation. That being said everything about the race was lovely. I love that we received a HIGH quality shirt as well as Smartwool socks. What stands out to me post race the most is the overall uplifting/supportive vibe of the race and the camp(finishers festival) that was set up. After all the races everyone set up camp there and hung out for hours post race...when the weather finally warmed up :)

This is one I will be doing again for sure!

The Expo was lovely, meeting Lauren Fleschman was such a treat and I loved that the expo itself was held outside. The whole vibe of the event was perfect, everyone there friendly and uplifting. I loved the course, personally I dont think you can go wrong with a view of the lake :).

The post race handouts were MAJOR!! The ice cold towels were such a TREAT after the hot run! I for sure will be doing this event again! The only thing that would have made the day that much better is some booze at the post race festivities.