It didn’t exactly feel like spring during Sunday’s Byline Bank Chicago Spring Half Marathon and 10K. Temperatures were in the 40’s with winds from the north off the lake. The race celebrated its 10thyear this year, and is the first race in the Chicagoland Half Marathon Series, which concludes with the Chicago Half Marathon in September.
The course began outside Maggie Daley Park with the first part of the race heading south along the Lakefront Path. After the six-mile mark, runners turned around and returned north, and that’s when you could suddenly feel the wind off the lake working against you. I felt great heading south for the first half, but felt like I really had to work harder to maintain my pace on the second half.
Bib pickup was offered at several Fleet Feet locations in the week before the race. Unfortunately, when I arrived to pick up my bib and shirt, they were already out of the size shirt I had pre-ordered. They told me I could exchange for a different size on race day, but on race day there were only larger size options. Regardless, all participants received a nice finisher medal after crossing the finish line that featured a spinning Navy Pier ferris wheel. Gear check was also available at the starting line.
There were several corrals at the starting line, which went off about two minutes apart to spread out the racers on the path. Pacers were present in several of the corrals to help runners reach their time goals for the half marathon. There were some other runners and bikers out on the path, but the race predominantly took over the course. Aid stations were plentiful along the course offering both water and Gatorade Endurance. Volunteers at all the aid stations were very encouraging of the runners. There were some spectators out cheering on the runners, but there were large parts with just the runners encouraging each other. The race had mile markers at every mile.
The Spring Market Finish Festival really sets this race apart from other races. There is a full hot breakfast buffet for runners after the race and a beer garden featuring Lagunitas beer. Participants and spectators could also take home a complimentary flower to plant in their spring garden.
Overall, despite the wind during the second half of the race, the cooler temperatures made for a fast race. This race will definitely be on my calendar for next year!
Half Marathon Top 3 Men
- Arturs Bareikis (1:10:02)
- John Binzak (1:10:27)
- Thomas Shanabruch (1:17:09)
Half Marathon Top 3 Women
- Jane Bareikis (1:19:45)
- Manon Blackman (1:23:44)
- Yahaira Ayala (1:25:30)
10K Top 3 Men
- Breno Melo (35:35)
- Chris Jensen (37:48)
- Peter Schorsch (38:21)
10K Top 3 Women
- Maggie Graham (42:58)
- Kristin Smith (43:35)
- Katherine Wuestenfeld (43:35)
