This is a 'Must Do' race. I've run marathons with several dozen, several hundred, and several thousand participants. All were unique, all were special but nothing compares to Chicago. The downtown vibe the day before the race and at the expo was electric, the course was fast and flat (a couple of overpasses and a hill at the last 400m), and HUGE support from the supporters the entire race.

One of the few complaints I've run across were long waits at bag check. Tip: If you can stay downtown (Congress Plaza or Hilton) skip the bag check. K-Tape your key card to the back of your bib and skip the lines.

This is my first Chicago (2nd marathon), and I signed up for a big race in the hopes of more spectator support and a general sense of excitement. The marathon met my needs on both accounts.

However, the two-wave start was a challenge. I was in Corral E (ran with a charity), and I didn't have the opportunity to run with a pace team...nor to be seeded in my appropriate pace, which would have been several corrals behind. Since I'm on the slower side, I had to deal with thousands of faster runners elbowing me out of the way for several miles as they worked towards their PRs. This negatively impacted my race experience, and made me feel claustrophobic.

Also - while I understand handing out bananas from a nutritional standpoint, banana peels in the last 5 miles = major obstacles and danger for runners. Many runners had bonked by that point, and weren't paying attention to where they threw the peels. I felt like I was in a video game at many moments.

This is my 3rd Chicago marathon. I have never had a bad experience. Very well organized. Each race has been different - due to weather conditions, training, etc. But all three times I ran for Team LIVESTRONG. It was great to start with the team this year so you aren't alone on your journey. I tyrpically run a 4:15-4:30 pace but this year, due to training issues, I did a run/walk method. Although I liked the charity corral, I would suggest having a charity corral in each wave. This would spread out the faster and slower charity runners. If not, provide some instructions to those that choose to walk to go over to the side and be mindful of the faster corrals coming behind them. I felt bad for the 3:40, 3:50 pace groups having to 'dodge' runners. Don't get rid of the corral, but perhaps give us two options.

I have never had any complaints about Chicago...it is always a great event, but you must sign up the moment registration opens. My gear bag split down the side after finishing the race and carrying it around was awkward, but other than that, this is a must run for urban runners. You see the best of the city come out to cheer you on!

Why have the Charity Runners start before the Open Corals? Sounded like it lead to course congestion for the faster runners in the F coral when they caught up and tried to get through the slower runners from the first wave,

After 4 out 5 years of hot marathon days, the weather was great. The organization is top notch and gets better every year. I am not sure the 2 wave start accomplished a whole lot, but it did seem like pre and post race congestion was improved. The crowds are great and there are very few places where people do not line the course. Be aware that the course is congested the entire way. The last few miles (at least at the pace I run) saw a lot of people walking, so a lot of dodging is necessary. A smaller venue may work better if you are interested in your finish time. Take cash. If you have not driven in Chicago for a while, you will be stunned by the increases in parking and tolls.

The race was wonderful, I had the best time. Everything was about as perfect as you could get. My only small issue was the gear pick-up. Took me 45 min to an hour to get my gear bag.

This was great, the foolish news reports about missing shirts and medals should not scare you away from this race, A great town and a great race!

14th Chicago for me; 65th overall - this race delivers every time. This year's weather was perfect-cloudy and 46. Course and American record broken on this flat, speedy course. Expo, packet pick-up all a breeze. Two-wave start this year-went off on-time for both waves. Organizers may want to re-think charity runners starting in the middle-many walking early on and many right down the center of the road. Water/Gatorade stops numerous and friendly; all clocks and runner updates via text/etc. worked perfect. Record turnout and finishers this yearover 38,000. 1.7 million enthusiastic spectators and an army of volunteers to cheer you on. Post-race easy-lots of food and beer. Many repeat this race for all these reasons and more-you won't be disappointed-just brace for a gigantic race-day event.

I ran my first marathon at the 2012 Chicago Marathon and I was a little disappointed with how the marathon organized the start. The marathon had 2 waves to start the race. The race allowed the charity runners in the first wave, which I feel was a big mistake. I was in the 2nd wave because it was my first marathon. During the race I had to pass thousands of charity runners, some who were walking majority of the course. It was frustrating to have to pass 4-5 walkers in a line, when you have trained hard for the race. I felt I wasted a lot of energy running around these large groups of individuals. I think it's great to have a large number of charity participants running in the race, but I don't think they need to be in the first wave. I feel they should be into corrals based on completion time just like everyone else.