This was my first marathon and I am not sure anything will ever match the experience of running, in cold and rain for 26.2 miles with random strangers standing out in the cold and rain for 3-5 hours cheering for random strangers jogging by. It's ridiculously flat so it's probably a good first marathon from that perspective, but the crowd support is what really kept me going.

The final mile, when you are on Michigan and there are thousands of people cheering for you in the midst of the tall building - the sound is deafening...then to turn on Roosevelt, make the climb up the hill, turn left and see the finish line...it's something I will never forget. The feeling of accomplishment and pride...it is surreal.

If you are debating whether or not to try to do a marathon...start here...you will not be disappointed. The community on Social Media and the community of Chicago invests so much in this race...you can't help but be inspired to not give up and to finish!

Great race that I decided to do once I saw the medal...maybe that shouldn't be the motivating factor, but I thought this year's medal was pretty cool and unique. I was pleasantly surprised by how efficiently the expo got you in and out. Would have liked to have seen a few more presenter's but it was fine. The long sleeve T-Shirt was really nice and won't be a throw out shirt, which many are these days. It was another perk I was looking forward to from my registration.

On to the race...the course only really has two hills - both between miles 8-10 (if I remember correctly) in Cherokee park. The scenery was beautiful in the park and offered some shade once the sun got up, but since it was a chilly morning, it wasn't that big of deal.

The last mile is pretty good with a few turns and a finish that dumps you right into the after party on 4th Street Live in downtown Louisville. The stations with the spread out enough where everyone wasn't crowding around one booth trying to get their food and drinks. The burgoo alone made it worth the run! Well organized event from start to finish with great communication throughout.

I was really excited for this race. I didn't get quite the same experience as Chicago as I literally flew in on Saturday night, ran, and flew home on Sunday evening. I can't speak to the expo, but i did appreciate the fact I could have my bib mailed to me so I didn't have to worry about getting to the expo in time to pick it up. That is nice feature for out of town folks and something not all races provide.

The only compliant I have is about the long sleeve shirt for 2018. It is hideous and embarrassing and not sure who approved it, but someone should be fired. I was really looking forward to having a nice training shirt I could wear with pride, but alas it is not to be. The shirt was revealed on Friday and really put a damper on things - for me - prior to race day. It just seemed like the organizers were giving all the marathon runners the "middle finger" (whereas the 10K shirts were awesome and looked great).

Listen, do we run for the shirt...no, but it's nice to have and be able to put on remember. This monster will never see the light of day...thank God I run early in the morning so no one will ever see it. The only winner in the "great shirt debacle of 2018" was Brooks...who certainly sold a bunch more gear because no one wanted this shirt.

As for the race, it was a nice combination of flat and hills. The early hills were good and the final hill at .2 from the end is legit, but short and manageable with the crowd support. The opening few hills are up and down, but then it levels out pretty well and the only hills are the bridges and on ramps. The scenery was great, the monuments and the foliage made it a beautiful run. There are a few times where the spectators seemed to creep closer and closer to the runners, which seemed to create a bottleneck of sorts...particularly in large running groups.

I would definitely recommend this race for the crowd support and military involvement.

Another race that I signed up for...just because the medal looked awesome. I was pleasantly surprised by how well and organized this event was from start to finish. From the expo packet pickup to race day to the party afterwards, there was plenty of space and well managed.

The swag for this event is amazing - opportunities to upgrade to higher end items - as well as the items they have to buy are pretty nice as well. Lots of local, craft items as well as great, high end running great with the logo and/or KY on them.

The race itself starts and ends at Keenland race track, which in and of itself is pretty breathtaking. Plenty of free parking and beautiful landscapes with the rolling hills. Once you leave Keenland you run through the rolling countryside of Lexington KY, running by stunning horse farm after horse farm. There are a few spectators along the way, but the scenery alone is enough to keep you interested and engaged. Oh yeah...and those hills will make you focus as well.

I told someone after the race, I run a lot of hills in my regular training, I just don't know I ever ran 13.1 miles worth of hills at one time. They are legit and they just keep coming. It is a great course if you are looking to train for a race like the Flying Pig (which is also very hilly). If you are looking to challenge yourself and push the level of your training, it is great race for that.