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Latest reviews by Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy recommends this race
(2009)
"Great event, better SWAG"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This was my second half marathon ever, and I ran it as part of my Chicago Marathon training program. Overall, this was a great race.
First - it's one of the best shirts I've received as race SWAG. Thick material, cool logo, awesome. My wife didn't like that the shirts weren't gender specific though.
The course was OK, but it was just an out and back along LSD, so it was a bit boring. It was kind of cool to race on Lake Shore Drive though, and there was ample time spent along the lake.
Overall, this was a well done event and I'd certainly recommend to others.
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Tim Murphy recommends this race
(2009)
"HUGE half marathon that was very well done"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
At the time I did it, this was the biggest half marathon in the country. Something like 30K people running, and it never felt overly crowded or clumsy. The start went off without a hitch in downtown Indy, followed a nice but somewhat unremarkable path throughout the city and surrounding areas.
The highlight was running two laps on the Indianapolis 500 Speedway! That was really cool - you really get a sense for how big that track area is.
Overall, I thought this was a great race. Very well organized, nice course, easy (almost no hills) - all good things. And it takes place at the perfect time of year, when temps are cool but not cold and before the heat sets in.
Tim Murphy recommends this race
(2009)
"It was COLD and WET"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
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So - my review is a bit skewed, but I'll explain my rationale.
The year I did the Shamrock Shuffle was freezing. Actually, it was not cold enough to be snow, so that meant rain, which made it feel even colder. It was like 30 degrees and raining, so there was ice everywhere. I know this is totally not the race's fault - but man, it was cold. That beer at the end I was so looking forward to? Wanted nothing to do with it - couldn't feel my hands.
So - given that my experience was SOMEWHAT anomalous (it's March in Chicago, this race is almost always going to be pretty cold), here's why I wouldn't recommend this race. Because of the weather, when I did it, there were only like 15K participants. It felt crowded, but manageable.
There are usually 30,000+ runners in this race. That's CRAZY.
For an 8K, where the field doesn't have that much distance to disperse, it is just too big and it stays crowded the whole way. They let too many people run and the race suffers. I don't recommend.
Tim Murphy recommends this race
(2007)
"OORAH! (and How I Became a Marathoner)"
Overall
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I did this race way back in 2007 and, simply put, it's how I became a marathoner. I signed up for the race when living in DC because my roommate was going to do it. Before the MCM 10K, I'd never run six miles, so everything about running was new to me.
Race day was sunny but windy. And in 2007, they started the 10K at the same place they started the MCM 26.2 - at the Pentagon! That was really cool and inspiring. It's also where I noticed a few badass women in their 60s wearing their Marathon bibs while I paced around in my 10K bib. Right then and there, I knew that I had to do a marathon. No more of this aiming low crap - if those women could bang out a marathon, so could I. The next year I signed up for my first marathon, and that was that.
The 10K course was nice but I think they've changed the route so I don't want to comment too much on that. I do remember being constantly inspired by all of the active Marines who work the aid stations, each time thinking about how lucky we all are for their service.
What I know they have NOT changed is the finish, and that is truly amazing. It's a tough climb up to the top of the Marine Corps War Memorial (AKA the Iwo Jima Memorial) stands. You're tired and the hill is steep and winding, but it so inspiring - I get chills just thinking about it.
This is an awesome 10K and someday I still want to do the full MCM 26.2. Highly recommend the 10K!