Chicago Half Marathon?

[noisemaker]

Some friends have decided to sign up for the Chicago half in September and have asked me to join them. Anyone have opinions on the race? Is it worth traveling for it (I'm in Texas)? Has the weather cooled down in Chicago by then? I'm really hoping to break the 2 hour mark this fall--is it a PR type course/race?

I've been looking for a fall race, and could visit family in the area at the same time, so it could be a good fit...

Thanks for any help ladies!

[InBetweenDays]

I ran it in 2010 and it was a comfortable temp that year. Probably mid 70's? I'd say it definitely can be a PR course because it is very flat and mostly an out and back. But it's also a big race so it can be slow weaving in and out of all of the runners.

I enjoyed it and am glad I ran it because I did it with my sister and 4 of my cousins. But I don't think I'd do it again. There were so many people and the race logistics, especially getting to and from the start, were cumbersome. The year we did it there were a number of people who missed the starting cut off because the buses never came.

And while the route is pretty since it's right along Lake Michigan, I found the flat course and out and back along the same road to be a little boring.

All that said I think it's worth traveling for once. Especially if you're doing it with friends.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using ProBoards

[Brie]

September weather in Chicago can be really unpredictable. You could have 45 and windy, or 95 and full sun.

The Chicago Marathon is over a month later, in October, and several of the past few years have had temps higher than 80 degrees.