Like Andrea H, I have a soft spot for the RnR half because it was the first half marathon I ever ran; it's also why I'm rounding this 3.5 star experience up to 4. Last year, despite a primarily positive experience, I had three main complaints - unisex shirts, plastic cups at water stations, and not enough port-a-potties. They seemed to remedy the plastic cup issue, but I'm not so sure about the other two. Here are some things worth mentioning about the race: + Music along the course keeps it entertaining. - Expensive entry fee - $80-110 for a half marathon isn't cheap and there are definitely better deals to be had. + Scaled back goodie bags. While this is a negative for most, I throw 90% of my bag's contents in the trash anyway and felt less wasteful. - The finish line layout was awkward, almost maze-like. -Unisex shirts, booo! At this price point, they should offer separate sizing; many smaller (cheaper) races are able to accomplish this. Even the smallest mens size isn't that small. + Shirt exchange at the expo - unlike last year, if your shirt was ginormous, you could exchange it on the spot for a smaller, less potato sack like size. - The medals don't list the race year; the cynic in me says this makes it easier for them to reuse next year. - Not enough people/organization at water stations. Many of the early water stations were completely overwhelmed, not being able to pour fast enough to meet demand. Some of the later ones weren't directing people further down the station causing backups. + New, more interesting course. I like the changes and since I didn't really review the course in advance, it was nice surprise. All in all this is a fun race series and I would recommend doing it at least once. However, the more races I run, the more discriminating I become and I'm not sure this is one worth the high price tag. read more

This was my first RnR race and I was pleased with the event. The downside for me was that the 5k path was also part of the 10k the following day. But, we were able to do the 5k and the 10k and get the Remix medal, which brought my broke-pieces much joy.. since a half marathon might not have been do-able. Race organization seemed put together well. The expo was large, which is always awesome. The medical tent after the race was busy, but everyone was being helped. Despite the rain for the 2018 race, volunteers were in good spirits. read more

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me

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I love the Rock and Roll series and run at least 3 races a year with them. I normally pick the Chicago half marathon race as one of my series of 3 runs. Expo: The McCormick Place is where you go, but it's big, so give yourself time to get there, get in the expo, and pick up packet. Don't rush, they have plenty of venders, and tons of activities. The Race: They have corrals set up based on your speed. Plenty of volunteers behind the scenes helping get things set up. Tons of encouragement for the runners waiting to run, and music to get you pumped. The Route: The route in Chicago has you running by all the great sights. You are on Michigan Ave, the Chicago theatre, Lake Shore Drive, pass by Soldier Field, and MUCH more. The streets are lined with spectators, cute signs, impersonators, bands, water tables, first aid tents, and energy gels. The Finish Line: Once you cross the finish line, you get your medal and tons of goodies! This year they had bananas, chocolate milk, granola bars, crackers, water...it was like Christmas! My only complaint??? Not even the RNR fault, but was the rain! Standing in the corral waiting to start the race and it starts pouring...and continued to rain the entire race. Slippery bridges and grates...but that's Mother Nature for you! Medals: Super cute medals from different iconic things in the windy city. This year is was the Chicago theatre....so cute! Thanks RNR for always providing a great avenue for running the streets of Chicago! read more

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My only complaint about the half marathon was the merging of it with the 10k, during the final two miles of the run. It was very frustrating merging with 10k runners that have been out on the course for over a hour. Most were walking or slow shuffling on the course, which slowed many of us half marathoners down. This is an easy fix, and hopefully it gets noticed with many others bringing this to awareness. Maybe starting 30 minutes before the 10k runners to prevent that merging of fast half marathoners and slow 10k runners on the last two miles would prevent that headache. Other than the merging, i absolutely loved the race course; volunteer support; bands; expo; medal; shirt; and course look. Prior to doing this race, i vowed to only do it once for the medal, but after the race i considered running it again next year. read more

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon - Sneak peak - Races & Competitions Near Me

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"Gatorade, praise Jesus." It wasn't til running near the same spot and right after I'd seen the hilarious, "Run Bitch!" sign that I remembered my favorite lady handing out Gatorade from last year. She was an older (maybe I'd even say "elderly") African-American lady with one of the group of church volunteers and when I ran up took the Gatorade from her, I exclaimed, "Gatorade!" and that's when she said "Gatorade, praise Jesus." I think if I were a regular consumer of Gatorade, I'd always be thinking that line. She sure gave me a lift. Just like the opposite- tough love - "Run Bitch" - gave me a laugh this year. I was thrilled there were NO costumed people on stilts this year. I'm pretty tall and I don't like people being taller than me. Sit on down. Really though, other people did like those freaks but just like the clowns etc, I was glad they weren't on the rock n roll route. I love the course - parks, city & museum campus. The entertainment this year was solid. Ditka & da Bears drum line, Chicago flag brass band at Daley Plaza, Jake & Elwood at State and Van Buren... Then, true to Chicago weather, slightly overcast skies turned into a drizzle and amped up into a downpour, complete with thunder and lightning. (This was actually my savior because my least fave section of this course is the over-amped music for three miles along the lake. Music was only on select tarped speakers so my ears were given a reprieve. Of course, if you were under the 2 hr mark, you missed all this since you probably already finished!) Due to lightning, the race was "held" at McCormick Place tunnel until weather threat passed. Awesome finish under blue skies with Buckingham Fountain on the right. The medals always are high quality and on theme. This year, the Ferris Wheel was depicted on the 10K and half medals, in honor of Chicago's new ride. Well done, Rock n Roll Race Series. read more

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Event Date: Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 This was the first inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon!!! And believe it or not... Kara Goucher won this event in preparation for her upcoming championship event in Berlin! WOW! http://running.competitor.com/2009-rock-n-roll-chicago-half-marathon-coverage After being out of the running game for ten months, I have returned. This event was my first half marathon for the year. I wasn't at my best shape and did not train well for it. So I accepted this challenge as charity fund raising event with the American Cancer Society (ACS). Thank you to all my family and friends that donated! I raised a total of $1,376.99 for the ACS. Evidently, Chicago was a hard workout in preparation for the San Jose Rock & Roll Half Marathon on October 4th, 2009. Finishing the run at 3 hours and 14 minutes. The Logistics - Stayed at the Hampton Inn (about 1.5 walk away from the starting line). - We had to get up at 4:30am to be at the starting line by 5:30am - stretch, focus, and prep. - Corral organized! This is a plus so that the walkers and runners won't mix and trample on each other. - Ran through downtown Chicago (mostly shaded with tons of spectators. - Miles 7-12 take you out to Lake Shore Drive - very scenic and easy to conquer because its all flat. On this day the weather was about 80 degrees. - Thank you to the American Cancer Society volunteers that worked the sponge stations, fuel stops, and water stations! YOU ALL ROCKED! read more

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2nd most memorable day of my life. Also life-changing. Shortly behind the day Kolten was born. This was such an all-around special event for me as a spectator because: 1. It was my 1st time supporting and waiting at the finish line for my love, Walter P. 2. It was my birthday 3. It was a family vacation, and Kolten's first big vacation to Chicago 4. Watching him cross the finish line and get down on bended knee and propose in the corrals with the event photographers......amazing. 5. Teasing Walter about his fanny pack ... tee hee, I love that thing! 6. I even ordered customized tees to cheer on Walter and in memory of his loving mommy. Neither of us remember what exactly he said. I can only speak of the euphoric, overjoyed feeling!! Of course, I said yes, and the photographer caught it all =) Great event, TONS of port-o-potties [I really mean they had rows and rows- great to get the runners in and out], awesome charities supporting the event [Walter, himself, being one of the charity runners for American Cancer Society], great location and weather--- it was really inspiring. On the way back to the hotel, while admiring my new bling, I asked Walter is he wanted me to run the Rock N Roll San Jose. I was THAT inspired. I'm definitely not a runner, but we'll see. Thanks again, Chicago, we will for sure return! Hopefully 3 deep [puts on the checklist to buy a runner's stroller]. read more

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon - Our engagement - Races & Competitions Near Me

Review for: Chicago 2011 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. My first half marathon so I'm quite please with the route. The course was beautiful, definitely gave us a great tour of Chicago and relatively flat. The on course entertainment was fun and the cheer squads had good energy! However, the swag bag wasn't so swag. Could of been made with better material and all we got was a bunch of fliers, 2 product samples, our bib, & tech shirt. For a big event from a well known company I was expecting just a little bit more. Maybe a free head band or Rock 'n' Roll koozies? Also the tech shirts weren't genderized so they were quite long that it almost covered my shorts! They also lacked volunteers at some of the water stations. And not as many spray stations as I hoped (good thing it rained on us). The finish line didn't say "finish line" so I was bummed because when I see those words I get super pump and want to finish strong! We got water, cold/wet towels, fruits, energy bars, cytomax drinks, and our medal after wards with the option of taking a professional photo with our medal. Also 2 FREE MGD 64 Light Beers for runners. The medal (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hr2Mi3E4zk8wajxB2L-dcQ?select=eMEoxTTDZ-d_PEMiqd2W2g) is pretty cool, but no date or year? They had it last year so not sure why they didn't do it this year. Also there's a finisher's certificate (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hr2Mi3E4zk8wajxB2L-dcQ?select=3bOYvq9TP9_LA-phzDdz6A) you can print. Enjoyed the course, but the "perks" can be improved. read more

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This is a solid race- so my low rating isn't a reflection on quality, but it is pretty standard. If you've run enough half marathons (I've done 13) or done a ton of races in Chicago, this one won't really stand out for you in terms of course, medal or swag. It's standard...really well done, but standard. Pros- -Organizers have this down to a science. They do this race all over the country so you know they have it together. -Packet pickup is super easy and well stocked with volunteers, no waiting in line for packets. -Expo is always well stocked with great vendors. -You can save money by registering way in advance. -If you do more than one RNR event, you can get bonus medals. Cons- -The medal is average at best, let's hope they jazz up that ribbon for the pricetag you pay! -Most of the goodie bag goes in the trash after, but the tech shirts are nice. -It can be stupid expensive if you don't register early enough. -The course isn't glam by any means, and for a race this size, there weren't a ton of spectators. -DANG IT WILL BE HOT IN JULY, but they can't control the weather- just keep it in mind. -Expect to wait a long time for this race to start. Wave starts are necessary for a safe race with this many people, but if your buddy runs a 7 minute mile and you run a 11 minute mile, they will probably wait around for you well over an hour since they start sooner and they run faster. read more

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon - Rock n Roll 2013 - Races & Competitions Near Me

Great event for a first time 10k or half marathon for a group of my family members doing this together. The music along the later part of the run made it so much more fun but the speakers passing the DJ were almost a little too loud at a couple of points. Plenty of water, Gatorade and healthy snacks at the end to replenish. I really appreciated the cool water wash cloth at the finish. Easiest gear check I ever experienced. The volunteers were all so nice and friendly too. Loved this race! Thank you Chicago! read more

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon - A Family photo finish, 2015 in Chicago. - Races & Competitions Near Me

This is my 2nd half marathon, so while I'm not a running veteran, I do have something to compare to. Communication was great prior to race and everything felt like it was a well oiled machine, except you could clearly tell they had a lack of customer support. No one was active on Facebook answering runner questions prior to race day, and there were many questions. It was also very annoying you had to pick up your bib yourself- they wouldn't let family or friends. The course itself wasn't that exciting. It was through boring, city streets of Chicago. I was definitely expecting something more scenic. Not a ton of fan support, and the last couple miles are brutal and the ugliest parts of the course. Overall I definitely won't be participating in this race again. read more

My husband I ran the half marathon this past August. We chose this race instead of the two others that are run in the city because this was the only half that runs through downtown Chicago going South and through McCormick place and the Museums area. A perfect route if you want a visual tour of the coolest areas of Chicago. I guess I was expecting a little more of the bands, ones that would get you super excited and keep you pumped. I was a little disappointed in the bands as some were just meh...in fact I kept my earphones on most of the times when passing up the bands as they were just ok. One huge mishap that I thought was that they were supposed to have a GU station at around mile 7ish I believe and they didn't place the station until around 10 or 11....um hello, finish is mile 13 why give GU so close to the end??? Glad I packed some on me. Someone mentioned that they though this was a mishap of placement as since the route did a hairpin turn and at one point the runners are running parallel against each other people speculated the GU station was placed on the wrong side...grrrr........ come on people.... Another thing that kinda pissed me off was for the $100 race entry fee, they couldn't make a shirt that was tailored for women. I was a little mad when I went to the expo received the shirt I would probably never wear that was cut for a man, but felt suckered into buying a pullover that was women cut that had the half marathon logo on it. They had so much cooler shirts and products for purchase. Which let me to believe this was a crappy marketing ploy, give you a crappy race shirt and sell better race gear at the expo because they know this is a big occasion for people and that they'll want a shirt or jacket to remember it. The sponge station helped a lot too...The finish medals were super cool though, and Fleet Feet offered free engraving the following day. Although they offered free PF Changs food and MGD 64 after the race, it was all great in concept. After the race I just wanted to go home, shower and stay in bed for the next 24 hours. I love the Rock N' Roll series period because of the draw and the great race courses. I will be doing a Rock N' Roll race again, however, I feel there are some kinks they need to work on to improve on. read more

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon - Finisher Medal - Races & Competitions Near Me

This review is for the 10K. I was intending to run the half but, after a torn ACL, running was not in the cards. I decided to drop down to the 10K and go for a walk. It was actually great! One thing I really like about Rock 'n' Roll is that they make changing your race distance pretty easy. I went back and forth about whether to switch to the 5K the day before but, ultimately decided to go for the 10K. You can change to the 5K up until the last minute at the expo but changing to the 10K was even easier. You just show up at the start line and make a game time decision when the course splits. Your timing chip will pick up the race you choose. It's seamless. As far as the 10K course, I actually like it better than the half. The 10K definitely gets the better scenery and, as a walker, I was able to have the path almost to myself. It was awesome to see the sunrise over the lake and hear the birds chirping. The 10K also gets a better deal on the music. Since it's on the lakefront for the first 4 miles and there is no noise restriction there, there is steady music throughout. I also want to mention that, even though I was the last to cross the start line (a personal goal), the aid stations were still stocked and the volunteers had great energy. I have been to races where they were breaking down by the time the walkers arrived and I appreciated the fact that everything was still in full swing until everyone passed. The only drawbacks I can see are with the lakefront path itself and the merging of the 10K participants with the half. If you've run a race in Chicago, you know that the lakefront path can get congested during a race. I can imagine it might have been an issue had I been running. While the race starts early and the path is fairly empty, it is still open to bikers and other runners. The 10K has far fewer people than the half but still enough that congestion would be an issue. Also, being at the tail end of the 10K, we merged with the first few corrals of the half marathon (corrals 4 - 6ish). It was not ideal to have walkers next to people trying to PR, especially since that part of the course is fairly narrow. I am positive it wasn't comfortable for the runners, nor was it comfortable for me. I was trying to take care of my knee and go slow but I found myself speeding up because I knew I was in the way. Not sure what the solution would be but it's a definite issue. A quick note to spectators, too. Please keep in mind that people are still finishing the 10K when you are trying to find your half marathon runner in the last mile. When we were trying to finish, there were spectators and bikers standing/riding in the middle of the course and it was a bummer to have to ask people to move just so you could finish the race. Everyone I encountered out there had a goal (some had never walked that far before!) and, even if they're walking, this race is a big deal to them. They deserve to have their moment too. Overall, it was a great morning. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I were looking for a 10K. You get more or less the same perks as the half marathon folks and a better experience. Just make sure to sign up early to save some money. read more

It rained really hard during the entire race, which was awesome. I think that the weather detracted a few as the race was not as busy or crowded and clearly they were set up to handle many thousands of runners. Nonetheless, the course was good, well managed, and a fun race. read more

Not a fan. Very few rock bands. Seemed like very few water stations... And just here to make as much money off people as possible. Hey - let's make you go to mccormick place to get your bib- you can pay for parking there, and once you get it, you can walk through the "health expo" - nothing more than a load of businesses trying to sell you more crap... then - let's not bother with any music until the 6th mile - many of my friends didn't wear earphones thinking there would be tunes throughout... nope... read more

I've completed a handful of Rock 'n' Roll (half) marathons in other cities, and the well-organized and prepared expo, course, post-race are just as terrific here as with any other city. The major, notable difference I found was the lack of music for the first leg of the race. In other cities, like Cleveland, Phoenix, and San Diego, the bands and entertainment are consistently spaced throughout the course; however, in Chicago, because it starts so early (since the race is in the dead of summer) and meanders through residential areas, they keep it a bit lower-key with just a couple cheer/spirit groups for the first several miles. When the entertainment stages started, the bands/DJs/performers were all great, but it was eerily quiet and not very Rock 'n' Roll-y at the beginning. The course is mostly flat, which is nice and makes for an easy-enough run. As a local, I run on/around the Lake Front Trail regularly, and it's so scenic, it never gets old. Being able to run down Michigan Avenue/around the Loop, generally, is a treat, too. Chicago's such an aesthetically pleasing city, and the course does a great job of showcasing this. At one point, the course went under McCormick place, through an underground-ish tunnel, which was lit up with lights--which was cool. Speaking of treats--any July race with chilled sponges is going to get at least 4 stars in my book. For the 2014 race, they were passing these guys out around mile 10 or 11 and boy, was it a refreshing and necessary respite from the summer heat. The race does a great job, however, of having plenty of water/Gatorade stations throughout the course. I think there could have been more photographers. With so many racers, zero ended up being captured of me. I guess I just blended into the crowd. The post-race concert was solid. Plenty of free samples and new products to try, plus first aid, massages; basically, your typical large-scale post-race festivities. I enjoyed it, but the lack of music at the beginning was a bit of a disappointment (although I totally understand why they couldn't have bands at that hour). read more

The Chicago Rock N Roll Half Marathon is put on by the competitor group who do a number of races across the US. Since they're basically putting on at least one race/month, they usually have things fairly well organized. This race was no exception. In terms of location, the start and finish lines are both at Grant Park which makes it convenient if you're staying at hotel in this area. It's about a mile and a half walk to the convention center for the expo. As you'd expect, the start line was also well organized with runners released in waves (there were over 20 corrals based on time). This allows a pretty large race (approximately 25000 runners) to feel smaller and reduce the cramped feel in the first few miles. The water stops and bands were well organized and abundant throughout the course. As for the course, it's fairly flat. There wasn't really anything that you could call a hill along the route. The first few miles are fairly scenic and take you amongst the skyscrapers in downtown Chicago and across the Chicago river (sadly, not green) several times. After about the sixth mile the course gets a little more boring during a stretch headed south, but after the ninth mile it returns to downtown along the waterfront. This part of the race is a pleasant stretch past Soldier Field and along the lake. in terms of things to prepare for, the major thing is heat. In August the race started in the 70's (and muggy) and climbed towards 80 degrees. But it's not as bad as it could be. The nice thing about running around skyscrapers early in the morning is that they tend to provide shade; thus the first few miles weren't too bad. On the return to downtown along the lakeshore, there was a little breeze that made the heat less intense as well. If you plan on running this next year, just make sure to stay hydrated (start the day or two before). Overall, this is a nicely organized race with some fun scenery of downtown. read more

Great event --ROCKIN medal. A lot of my friends have ran this and I have too. Good - Rockin' music - Big event lots of energy - love the tunnel at the end (McCormick Place) garage - FUN EVENT Bad - I think they just served GU (uck) My own fault - I didn't train and tried to run this - LOL I got a really bad time- read more

I was told the Rock and Roll Half Marathon is a race you hate doing, but once you're done you have to sign up for the following year. If you want a very organized race that gives you weekly emails, a great expo, and a different path - then sign up! But sign up early because this race comes with a hefty price tag! Pros: - YAY a race not done on the lake front path! - People travel from all over for this race, so course support is beyond encouraging - The bands are a great distraction - God sent Volunteers that know what they're doing and have an upbeat attitude - Bountiful Gatorade, Water, and Gu Gel Stops to help you keep moving - Giant and colorful medal - Water mists to keep you cool - Wide open lanes so no runners elbowing you Cons - Its freaking hot! This race is always done in July when the heat makes it nearly impossible to PR. - Why so many wave starts? -Its super hot! - At mile 11, you are forced into a dark tunnel akin to Willy Wonka's Tunnel or a bad rave in 2001 where it takes time for your eyes to adjust and you pray you won't trample someone - DAMN that was expensive, cheapest entry is $70 - Why is the Expo in the middle of McCormick Center where no one but you can pick up your race packet!? - If there are so many wave starts, can you put some restrictions on it? I had a very slow crowd in front of me! - Cool race shirt, who designed it a middle school art class? That being said, I had a lot of fun at this race, the medal was worth it, and you can't beat that course support. read more

I've run this Half since 2009. Each year there seems to be less bands along the route. 2014 had more 'performers' than music. The course use to finish along the lake front but now it comes through the museum campus. If you sign up early the price is right. However I don't feel it is worth $150 last minute entry. The course is flat with enough port o potties and water stations. In 2009 we saw Susan Tedeschi perform. Each year since is has been a lesser known artist. The medals have been nice. The expo is OK. I am not running it this year. read more

I ran the Rock and Roll in 2011, and again 2012. Both years it was crazy hot. As this race typically tends to be in early August or July and it's Chicago--this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Just enjoy the bands, the crowds, and adjust your pace to the heat. Running the Rock and Roll is supposed to be FUN, right? In 2011, I passed Al Roker--that was pretty cool. I had to resist yelling, "Hey, AL!" as I ran by--thought that would be an a-hole move. Couple other random comments: - They introduced gender-specific shirts in 2012, which I applaud. - Some of the "bands" are actually cheerleaders, etc. Which actually works well for a race. - There's a stretch of the course that's a little ugly and deserted somewhere between miles 8 and 11, I think? I'll probably run it again next year--it's a big, fun race. read more

GREAT Race to run if you are not a fan of the marathon distance, but want to challenge yourself to a half (or even a 10k/5K since they now offer that here). I have run this race every year since I moved to the city back in 2012 and it seems to get better each year. the only reason I give 4 and not 5 stars is because the last chunk of the race is down and up the lake.... my LEAST favorite part of any training route or race in chicago. It is just so boring! The end of the race party is great and if you can handle the remix challenge, go for it!!! 3 medals, 2 races, and a ton of fun! read more

This was my second Rock n Roll Chicago and forth one overall. This by far was the worst. There were 3 or 4 bands and the first started at the 6 mile mark. It's called Rock n Roll for a reason. You are in the heart of so much talent and you select 3 bands? If I want to see cheerleaders and circus performers I'd go to busker fest. Water was out atany of the stations also happened last year so all water should of been doubled if not tripled because of the extreme weather conditions. If you are looking for a good race in Chicago I recommend the Chicago spring half, Chicago half, or Women Rock. All half the price and better organized. Don't waste your money. read more

I have been running the Rock n Roll series for 8 years now and have loved every race in every city up until now. Never have I run a race as silent for the first 11 miles. Nothing to hear or look at besides a group of very nice young ladies cheerleading. How can the water stations not be prepared on a day that 98% humidity is forecasted? Expo was bland and hollow. I feel as if corporate Rock n Roll just took our money and said "now go run down these streets and we'll see you at the finish!" read more

If you are a serious running seeking a PR or a qualification time for another race I would not recommend this race. While I am not sure how to prove it I feel certain the course was long, causing me to miss my time to qualify for NYC Marathon by 90 seconds. I know of 5 people that felt the course was long and 3 of them were using GPS watches and clocked the course around .3 miles too long. The last 3 miles of the course also requires you to run with the 10K racers. Any serious race director would not force the best runners in a longer distance race to merge with a shorter distance. read more

This is my 2nd year participating in the 5K and half marathon. Last year this was my 8/15 races for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. THE WALKING CITY The Expo was held at McCormick Place. It is fairly easy to get to via CTA Train. For me, the closest exit station was Cermak, which was half a mile away from the convention center. When you think you have finally arrived at the convention center, you walk another 700 feet to the exhibit hall. McCormick Place is HUGE. In fact, I think there was another expo going on for different event. For the past 2 years, the expo actually had some good vendors. Aspera had a big sale with their backpacks, and there was a section towards the back end of the expo that had a big selection of discounted sports clothing. I walked out with a freaking new backpack, running shorts and hat. However, my most prized possession was the free individual Saratoga String Cheese holder from last years expo. Nothing can ever top that. lol. WHERE IS THE WIND, WINDY CITY? For a city that claims to be "The Windy City," I experienced no wind! In fact, all I experienced was hot, humidity and rain. Typical July in Chicago. At the start of the race last year, it was already 78°F with a peak of 105°F. I was miserably drenched after both races. Cold sponges were provided during the course for both years, but this year they skimped out on the popsicles. It was much cooler this year at 70°, but it was still pretty humid and this time rainy! During the run, a thunderstorm was slowly approaching. Eventually the race was temporarily postponed, and everyone was forced to take shelter. I have never experienced anything like that, so a part of me was actually a little excited. lol. Probably 30 minutes later, the rain subsided and the race resumed. MORE LIKE QUIET CITY Chicago has an environment noise ordinance. Quiet time is designated between 10pm-8am. Race started at 6:30 in the morning, so the first couple miles were fairly quiet. I am used to running without music, but for some reason the silence was just eerie. Did Chicago become a creepy, crotchety, old man or something? lol. WE RUN THIS CITY Both start and finish lines of each race were either at or close to Grant Park, Millennium Park, whatever Park. lol. Every Saturday in the summer, Pritzker Pavilion (located within the parks) offers complimentary exercise classes. So after the 5K (which is on a Saturday), I did yoga, pilates and zumba. It was so much fun! Chicago provides a very scenic route. For some reason they have decided to get rid of running in front of the Chicago Theater this year. If you want to take a picture in front of it, you will have to detour off the course a little. Hopefully they bring it back next year. Chicago is also full of bridges, and if you are deathly afraid of heights, good luck! You run across 4 different open metal grating bridges! Beneath your feet, you can look directly into the Chicago River. At times it would freak me out because you can feel the vibration of every step, and since the gaps between the grating sections were pretty big I would have the sensation of falling at the same time. It was a weird feeling. Chicago is such a walkable city, and easy to get around. I would appreciate Chicago a little more if it weren't for the heat. The race gives you a great tour of the city, and is pretty flat but the heat and humidity is definitely a deal breaker. read more

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Great Run. Organized, nicely marked course, okay shirts, nice finish area, and great after race festivities. Plus bands at every mile of the race playing music to motivate us all to the finish. I had a great time and can't wait for next year. read more

I ran this race for the past two years (as soon as it was "bought out" by the Competitor Group in 2009) and will run it again this August. This review is based on the last two years, but I will mention that some of the changes to the course for this year have me worried, so perhaps I'll be posting an update next month... we'll see. Anyway. I am a big fan of urban races; much more to look at and admire than "scenic" courses. That is one reason why I really love this race. Even though I have lived in Chicagoland my entire life (minus brief stints in central IL and Florida during college), running through the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods does not get old. In the past, I've also enjoyed the phenomenal view of the skyline from running on the Lakefront Path (path eliminated this year from the course - for more info on my thoughts for the 2011 course, check out my blog at http://runninginflops.blogspot.com). The race and the expo are both organized well, and there are plenty of water and aid stations throughout the course. Around mile 10, they also give out sponges saturated with cold water - this was much needed especially last year when temperatures were soaring into the 80s by this point! One complaint I have about this race, and all of Competitor Group's races actually, is the unisex t-shirts. I've heard they are changing this for 2012 though - FINALLY! For anyone in the Chicago area contemplating running the first half marathon, I highly recommend this one. It's really big, lots of spectators throughout, tons of energy & motivation, and you will not get bored. My very first half was this one in 2009. And I have done the "scenic" ones before - if any of those were my first, I don't think I would have continued to run like I do! read more

Not a bad race, and the day of the event is very well run. It's fun because it's not on the lakefront path, rather through the city, which is cool. It's nice that it's such a large race, kinda fun being part of something so big. On the negative, it's pretty expensive compared to other half's I've done. Probably the worst, and why I gave it a lower rating is the stupid expo you're required to attend at McCormick place to pick up your race packet. Seriously.... if you're from the suburbs the difficulty of going downtown to pick this up is a huge pain in the ass. read more

Customer service for this event was the worst I have experienced with a company. My race was cancelled due to COVID-19. I contacted the company multiple times and was ignored. Finally months later they sent an email giving me options to do another half in locations hundreds of miles away: Savannah, San Antonio, Virginia Beach. They refused to refund me for a product that did not take place. The customer service was extremely frustrating to deal with and I have no interest in supporting this company going forward. read more

I like the RNR events. My run buddy had an injury, so we easily downgraded to the 10k. The course was flat and scenic...such a gorgeous route! The shirt and medal are appealing. I especially like that we were given women's shirts (as opposed to unisex). The staff at the medical tent we visited after the event were efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. My only complaint is that the bananas were very green which is insignificant. read more

I overall enjoyed this race, but it has some short falls: -The packet pick-up is not very convenient in that you have to make a trip to McCormick Place, but I get it, it has to be picked up somewhere. -I would say the race has major corral regulation problems in that a lot of slower runners, and dare I say walkers, maneuver themselves into faster corrals which just causes tremendous clogging in the early going of the race. The staggered start helps, but more policing of corral bibs would help the early congestion. -Another shortfall of this race is it does not have much to do with rock and roll. The first band appeared on the course sometime around mile six, and there were only a few others after that...with the exception of a DJ that was spinning music piped through towers of speakers for a couple mile stretch around miles ten and eleven. -Warning, there is a 1/4 to 1/2 mile stretch of race course through a very dark loading area / drop off area near McCormick Place...watch your step. On the plus side: +Volunteers and fans are always great +Music (DJ) pre-race was good +It's a fast course and allows for some good views of Chicago +Timing system results provide a lot of times from race and the mobile runner tracker provided by Travelers was a hit with my folks +Photographers abound Would probably run it again. read more

I've done this twice (2010/2012). It's in July, it's going to be hot so that's no surprise. Course is flat, but not sure if I'm a fan of it. I hate the part that takes you under McCormick Place- it just doesn't seem safe to me because you can't see all that well. It's also very pricey, something that's a common theme for the Rock n Roll Series. The expo was mediocre and you couldn't pick up bibs for friends or family which was absurd. Probably won't come back to this one, but that's just because of how much I'm over Rock n Roll read more

I ran this in 2011, and plan to run it again in 2012. The Good: - Fun course! Mostly along downtown streets and then heads south and comes back up LSD. - Lots of bands along the way, including some really entertaining ones. - Huge turnout, but we crossed the start line within 10 minutes of the start and I never felt like the course was too crowded. - Swag bag is an actual bag - a little drawstring back-pack. - Lots of freebies at the expo if you're into "trick or treating" - Really easy shirt exchange at the expo. - Lots of goodies post-race - wet washcloths, popsicles, free beer (although it was raining so we take the time to get any), other snacks. - Post-race finishers photo lines went quickly. The Bad: - Really expensive. $20-30 more than other half marathons in Chicago. However, those are all on the lakefront and require far fewer street closures. But, register early or search Google for coupon codes. - Expo at McCormick Place = $20 to park at the expo and another $20 or more to park at the race. - In the middle of summer so weather can be a concern. We had PERFECT weather in 2011 (mid-60s and drizzling off and on), but it was unseasonably mild. All in all I thought it was a really well-run and fun race and plan to do it again this year with more friends. read more

This was my first half marathon. I was super excited because the weather was perfect and it seemed like it was a going to be a good day! Too bad there was very little Rock in the Rock and Roll half marathon. I didn't wear any headphones because I thought there would be some music. But according to their PR department there's an ordinance that said no amplified music before 6 in the loop. Which is fine. I can honor that but the dang race started at 6:30! I didn't start running until 7! So now what?! And there was amplified music at the start of the race which was grant park! Not to mention this isn't the first year this race has happened. So how have you avoided this issue in the past? Goofballs! Anyway. The course was great, medal was wonderful, volunteers were on it, just needed a better execution of the theme. read more

I was not very happy with this half marathon. I expected so much more from the course because it is CHICAGO afterall. I didn't like the path they mapped for us. I wanted to see chicago during the run which didnt' happen until the end of the course for about 2 miles. read more

I wanted to like this more. The course through the city was great. Loved it. But the after michigan ave everything fell apart. We ran on grass. Ran on a narrow trail; in a dark dusty thoroughfare under McCormick place. Which was filthy and sooty. The trail also got really narrow. Also not enough water stations. The start also took forever. Also the corrals have to be monitored so people stay on their proper pace. I was surrounded by much slower runners whom I had to dodge through for the first three miles. At least the surroundings were great during that. Plus, I hate Gu. Gross. Get something organic. read more

This race is run quite poorly. First of all they placed me in the wrong coral for my time even though I specifically put my projected finish time on their forms. When I called after the race and asked why this was, they said that I should have notified them at bib pick up at McCormik center. The problem is I did not go to bib pick up, and I guess because I did not want to pay an extra $30 to park there and pick up my bib the morning of the race I am penalized. There is no excuse for and error like this. Secondly, and more minor, they do not even give you a race sticker. I have run a few races, and I have never run a race where you do not get the 13.1 sticker. It is free advertising! And it is a sense of accomplishment for the runner! Come on! I will be avoiding this race from now on. read more

Such a well put-on event! Everything from number pick up to the after party went smooth and I loved the course! The only gripe I had is the bands really got spread out towards the end read more

Rock and Roll Chicago is a great event. Tons of fans and spectators, lots of music, food, freebies, and fun. The only real problems are the price and parking, but I guess it is understandable being in the city. I usually try to run this one and recommend others to come and check it out. read more