This is a great race to see where you're at heading into a fall marathon. This is a much bigger race than the earlier 13.1. However, these two races comprise the Windy City 26.2 Challenge (2 halfs over the season = 3 medals). The spectators can get a little sparse along LSD. Great course to try and PR. Once you get to the north turn around point you're already more than 8 miles into the race. It's a great mental boost knowing you have less than half remaining. Can be a pain driving down here and there's usually a Bears game to deal with on the way back. Still a great race experience overall.

The Terrapin 5k is a great late summer race to see how your training went over the season. Pros: PM race, great beer, free concerts! Cons: not the most scenic route, can get congested on the path, post-race "stoner" food was meh. I loved the atmosphere of this event and we were lucky it wasn't 100 degrees in August. If you're looking for a positive 5k experience, check out Terrapin!

After my second year of song the RnR half here in Chicago, I realized it would probably be my last. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the actual race. There's lots of support and the course goes through awesome parts of the city. I'm just don't instantly get excited about it when I see emails for the following year. I've been lucky in that both years I ran it was unseasonably cool. That is a definite risk with this mid-summer race. Should you do this race? Sure, once. Just my opinion, but there's definitely other races that are worth repeating year after year.

This was an eye-opening race for me. Most definitely the hottest race I've participated in. The first part winding through the park is very nice. Good support and aid along the course. It's nice to find races in different parts of the city too. The south part of the lakeshore path is beautiful. My only warning is if it's hot race day, race smart on the second half of the course. There is little to no shade for the last 8 miles. I did not pace myself we'll and ended up needing 2 IV bags at the finish. Completely my fault, but after running through the spring, I wasn't quite ready for summer temps for racing. I hear the post race at 13.1 is pretty good actually. I'll definitely experience it this year. We drove down and had no problem finding parking on a side street. It's a much smaller half than most. Overall and a very good race that I plan to run again this year.

This had become synonymous with Memorial Day weekend for me. This race is managed so well and it provides one of the best post-race parties in the city. It's the perfect distance for spring training and really gets you off on the right foot (sorry haha) for the racing season. Some people complained about the shirt color this year. While it was Packers' colors, the fit was great and volt was super popular the next year so whatever! As long as they keep putting this race on, I'll toe the line!