This is my second time running this race. I enjoyed it so much last year and am a big fan of the Zoo (and it is a really inexpensive 10k) - This year I thought the experience might be a little bit less due to the fact the Zoo is having some pretty significant renovations which meant a big part of the fun of the run would be impacted, and that is the actual run through the zoo. However, I think the course created this year was even better than last. Actually finishing in the heart of the zoo (as opposed to the parking lot) was awesome. It also brought the spectators closer to the finish, and that made them feel louder than I had experienced last year (also, thanks to the sponsor New Balance for handing out mini cowbells - those made for a nice touch when coming around that last corner and down the home stretch.

I could say so much about this race, the course is beautiful, the shirts are always a favorite, there is a lot of competition for the non-elite runner ... but it is all about the charity. Lincoln Park Zoo is free to the community and is so much a part of Chicago, and that this race helped support funding the Zoo means a lot to me.

This race had such a uniquely amazing atmosphere. It offers you the opportunity to run representing your University (Go Boilers!) which allows for a built in cheering section at all points during the race. You also have the unique experience to meet so many people that have a shared experience with you beyond running. It was also fun to see a couple IU runners ahead of me near the finish, which gave me added incentive at the end to make sure I "beat them", but all in good fun.

It also is a pretty impressive show with all the schools mascots there alongside distinguished alumni and of course the B1G10 Network talent that is actually there to televise the race. It just feels like a bigger deal than a 10k should and that is a positive. It is also extremely well run and has a pretty significant amount of entrants.

However, if you aren't closely associated with a big ten school, you probably won't enjoy the experience as much. If there is one knock on the race it was the quality of the shirt. Even though you got a school specific shirt, the quality was not very good and the design was so-so. However, the 2014 designs online now look better and the finisher medal is pretty nice.

This was my first race after I started running to lose weight. I was not sure what to expect, but this race was a good testing point. It isn't a huge race, but big enough and had just enough environment/atmosphere to get me excited to do this running thing.

Being a Chicago runner, used to pretty flat running, this one tested me a bit. It is not extreme elevation, just more hills that I was used to. If you are used to elevation changes, hills, etc this won't be tough for you, for a first time flatlander it got me using muscles that were not used to being used.

Finishing the race at Brat Fest and getting a free brat as a reward was a nice post race treat. There are no medals and the shirt is meh - but it was a fun atmosphere.