This was an awesome race i HIGHLY recommend! It was organized fantastically (if that's a word), weekly emails, clear directions, etc. It's a BIG race, very competitive so expect a great race, not a PR though - this was by far the toughest course I have run, any distance. The hills are relentless, so it's more of a race to compete vs chase a time. The expo was at a running store, the shirt is super nice, as is the medal, and afterwards you get a free mini pumpkin pie! You finish on the Football field, and the race pictures are free. AG winners also get awards that are pretty sweet. If you want a really epic Thanksgiving Day Race, add this to your bucket list!

Typically your review is a bit indicative of how you race, right :)-? I had a not so great race because the WIND killed me, but I'll try not to let that taint this too much. It is your standard 1.2 marathon - really well organized, tons of communication, decent shirt, sweet medal, crappy/no expo (at a running store), beautiful course, high caliber competition, so the only downfall is the wild card - Chicago weather in May. And its a BIG factor for this course because its RIGHT on the lakefront. My first 7 miles were spot on splits I wanted, 6:23 to the second, then at 7 I hit the lake and the wind was so strong I literally fell (My dumb fault, but it was strong and I wasn't ready for that, I mean I live in AZ :), no water there) so between the wind and pouring rain it was not a good back half for me, no matter how hard I ran, I felt like I was in quicksand. Net the after party etc was frikkin cold, and I just wanted to go home. Had the weather been better, I probably would have been a happier camper? Cool awards though - for AG, as well as medals- see pic.

This fit in perfectly with my marathon lead up so my husband and I decided to make a vacation out of it, and stay on the beach! (sort of we rented bikes and could bike to the beach :)
The weekend was amazing. The expo is an outdoor health festival, nothing to write home about, but the race itself and the festival after was awesome!
Communication leading up to and around the race was spot on, the race shirt was awesome, and the course was beautiful.
I will say that I thought the course was supposed to be flat and there is a 2 mile hill folks :) So this is not a PR course.
But if you want a great weekend getaway, well organized race, this is a terrific 10k!

absolutely hands down one of the best experiences I have ever had running, and I have run a lot of races :) Race director was amazing to deal with....communication was perfect - - I knew exactly where to be/when to be there. Shirt was awesome. Course and legit"ness" of course was spot on. Very difficult but rewarding track....awards ceremony so fun, and cool awards, see attached - these wood things that I will keep! PLus everyone got a medal. GREAT post race festival. I cannot say enough about this race. A huge bucket list item for me, first and probably only time to Hawaii and it was EPIC! LOVE THIS RACE.