The morning of the Chicago Half Marathon turned out to be a perfect morning weather-wise for running. It was in the low 70’s with clear skies. In the past it has been warmer, and since the course takes us on Lake Shore Drive, shade is rare.
We picked up my friend Jo on our way down and we then parked again by the Museum of Science and Industry and made our trek to the start line. It is a long walk and it is next to the lagoon of Jackson Park. As we were walking there was an abundance of mosquitos in the area and you can see everyone trying to swat them away. We made our way to the start area and got ourselves situated in corral L.
The race started on time and they released us at 7:00. They had a rolling start so all the corrals left at once. When we got to the start marquee we started our tour around Hyde Park.
The following is an excerpt from the participant guide that features what we ran through during this race:
Mile 1 – As runners begin their trek down Cornell and Stony Island Avenues, they pass through the eastern border of the 125-year-old University of Chicago campus. The average tuition, excluding room and board, at this internationally renowned, private institution costs $42,000 annually. As a testament to U of C’s curriculum, the school decided to drop its football program in 1939 determining it was a distraction from its focus on education, research and scholarship.
Mile 2 – As runners approach Mile 2, turning east on Marquette Drive, they come upon Jackson Park Golf Course on both sides of the road. In 1899, as the Columbian Exposition was dismantled, this large plot of parkland was transformed into one of the country’s oldest golf courses, and the public course west of the Appalachian Mountains. Prior to Mile 3, the 5K course turns west on Hayes Drive toward the Finish Line.
Mile 3 – The Half Marathon course now parallels Chicago’s Lakefront Trail, an 18 mile, multi-use recreational path spanning the Lake Michigan shoreline. Just beyond the 5K mark, runners turn northbound onto Lake Shore Drive – Chicago’s most popular roadway, originally constructed (from the north end) in 1882.
Mile 5 – Once passing the Museum of Science & Industry, Lake Shore Drive parallels Burnham Park. This six-mile stretch of lakefront parkland, named for Daniel Burnham, connects Grant Park at the north (14th Street) with Jackson Park to the south (56th Street). Few people realize that the City of Chicago operates the oldest park district in the country, and spends more on its 580 parks on 8,100 acres than any other city per capita. The agency also operates the nation’s largest municipal harbor system, as well as one of the most expansive beach programs – with 24 beaches across 28 miles of shoreline.
Mile 6 – Just beyond Mile 6 is the eastern border of Bronzeville, once known as the “Black Metropolis” for its African American influence and culture dating back to the early 1900’s. Even today, 47th Street remains the hub for the historic neighborhood, which once produced Louis Armstrong, Marla Gibbs and Lou Rawls.
Mile 8 – The course now enters the Douglas neighborhood, which includes 31st Street Beach – completely rebuilt in 2013. At the north end turnaround, runners will see the McCormick Place Convention Center, one of the world’s largest facilities with 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space.
Mile 9 – Less than one mile west, looking down 35th Street, is U.S. Cellular Field – home of the Chicago White Sox. This area also parallels the South Shore Electric Line rail service.
Mile 10 – Part of 43rd Street, immediately west of Lake Shore Drive, is renamed “Muddy Waters Drive.” Muddy, who lived on 43rd Street for 20 years, was known as the Father of Modern Chicago Blues because of his unique ampli cation style. In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is best known for the “Hoochie Coochie Man, I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and ”Got My Mojo Working.”
Mile 11 – As runners pass underneath the 51st Street pedestrian bridge, they will notice a large park to their right. This is Harold Washington Park, home of a massive man-made pond, larger in circumference than a 400m Olympic running track. Locals mistakenly refer to it as the “Duck Pond,” as it was originally built for model motorboats.
Mile 12 – Prior to the 20K mark, runners continue southbound, crossing 57th Street and approaching the east side of the Museum of Science & Industry. On September 3, 1954, this exact section of Lake Shore Drive was closed to traffic for the most unlikely of reasons. More than 15,000 people gathered to watch a captured WWII U-505 Nazi submarine exit Lake Michigan and cross the highway en route to its new exhibit home.
Mile 13.1 – Adjacent to the Finish Line sits the remarkable Statue of the Republic. This 24’ tall bronze sculpture is actually a replica of a much larger version (of the same name) destroyed by re in 1918. The original statue, nicknamed “Big Mary,” stood 65’ tall and welcomed attendees at the Columbian Exposition. The current statue, which was rededicated in 1993 in tribute to the event’s centennial, is now referred to as the “Golden Lady.”
The complete guide can be viewed here: Athlete Guide
Running with a friend during these races are always fun, and makes the run more enjoyable. Jo and I are similar in pace so we kept up with each other. At the end my issue with Gatorade happened again, and my stomach was quite uneasy, and my left knee started hurting so I told Jo to go ahead and he finished minutes ahead of me. I finished in 3hrs 5min 43sec. Still not my regular pace, but I will take it. My training for the past couple of months have been sporadic, so that time is understandable. I just need to get my butt back into it and start training again.
This race completes the Chicagoland Half Marathon Challenge, at the finisher festival we picked up our third medal, which was designed so that it holds both the Spring Half Marathon and the Chicago Half Marathon medals together.
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