Chicago Monster Half Marathon

The main theme of this race seems to be Lack of Communication.
* No directions to the race on the website, no cross streets/​El stops listed. All we really knew was that the start was somewhere in Grant Park, which is like saying «we’re located in the Loop».
* No information about gear check on the website or other race materials. I was only able to confirm through Facebook that they were doing a gear check. According to Facebook, your gear needed to be in a clear bag, but when I got there, this wasn’t the case.
* Ran out of hoodies again (this is, what, the third year it’s happened?). I was fortunate enough to get mine because I did early packet pickup at the Chicago Marathon race expo, but apparently they were all out at Friday’s packet pickup.
* Normally, you get your medal in the finish chute. For some reason they had medals being distributed somewhere far off from the finish (they were handing out Lyft coupon codes at the end of the chute. What?). I heard lots of people complaining that they either didn’t get medals or they ran out.
* There was supposed to be a costume contest, but I don’t think it actually happened. Never heard/​saw anything announced before the race or after.
* There was an ultramarathon being run at the same time on the lakefront, which confused many runners who weren’t aware of the other race. Some didn’t know which paths to take, didn’t know which aid stations were available to them, etc. This is the kind of information that should have been posted on the website and Facebook.
* I can’t really comment on the sports drink being distributed at the aid stations, only that it wasn’t Gatorade so I was afraid to try it. It’s important to tell runners ahead of time what type of drinks will be at the aid stations so they can prepare for it – eating/​drinking something new during a race is a good way to make yourself sick.
* There was no aid station at the end of the race, just a booth distributing chocolate milk for some reason.
I know that the weather was bad (very cold and rainy), but that shouldn’t affect things like what information appears on the website or how many medals are ordered. I’m signed up for the Yeti Challenge in January and now I’m not feeling so good about it, based on my experience today.

This event offered a choice of a 5k, 10k, or half marathon. I chose the half, because I live my life by the motto, «Go big or go home» (Luke 15:24). Also, I was eager to beat my previous PR, which no one accepts just because I didn’t do it in some fancy-​pants CARA-​sanctioned race. Also because it was done in Second Life. The Monster Dash (named after Halloween, as opposed to enormous punctuation) had a few hiccups, however. Packet pickup was only available the Friday before until 7 at the Congress Plaza Hotel. True, I do regularly sneak out of work for a few hours anyway to ease the stress of the job (Before you call me irresponsible, YOU try running a day-​care center out of your home). For signing up, you get a beer ticket and a race-​themed wind breaker. This was a pleasant change from the standard synthetic shirt races give, which goes straight to Goodwill. And by «straight to,» I mean after years of heavy use in which it is no longer functional as a shirt, dish rag, or bedding for your dog with irritable bowel syndrome.
The race started down in Grant Park. They offered a costume contest and many people dressed up, but not me. If I wanted to put on a ridiculous outfit and run around all day, I would’ve joined the Greek army. They had suggested corrals, with accompanying pace groups, but that ended badly. Several pacers ran the wrong way, throwing us ¾ mile off track. I was pissed because I didn’t even study the course, believing I could mindlessly follow without having to think (just like choosing a political party). Needless to say, I tired early and knew I was in trouble when I got passed by two Cat-​in-​the-​Hats, who I ran behind the entire race. Isn’t that life? One moment you think you’ll conquer the world and the next you’re chasing more black tail than the founding fathers.
The disorganization of the event won’t deter me from running other holiday themed runs. I still plan on doing the «Rosh Hashanah Rosh HaShuffle» and the «All Hail Lucifer Prince of Darkness Family Fun Run and Walk.» But at $ 85, runs like the Monster Dash are an expensive hobby that I need to be flawless. And God knows my side business isn’t helping pay for these kind of events (selling «CoExist» bumper stickers in the Gaza strip).

I understand that it takes alot to pull together a race this size but the bike pacers took the lead runners on a wrong route for the race and some of us ended up running much longer than 13.1 miles for the half marathon… this is unacceptable when considering how much time we put into training for this race. In addition, the volunteers were not very helpful on the course. I’ve ran over 40 races in Chicago and this race was the worst organized race I’ve ever participated in.

This review is for the 5K and 10K Dash. (2 runners)
1. Figure out packet pickup. What is it with races and the stupidity of packet pickup?
They all seem to have bad times and locations to pick up a packet and gear. 1 Day? Seriously? And only open 10am until 7pm? Some of us work for a living and we don’t live downtown… I could have printed the 5K on my computer and picked up my swag on site. Simple. It’s not even timed.
Or… keep packet pickup open for 2 days, or DON’T DO IT ON A FRIDAY. DUH.
Downtown Chicago is NUTS during a Friday night.
It took me 2 hours to get the packets with traffic, construction, and partiers. Sheesh.
2. Don’t expect the Monster Dash to be a serious race. If you’re serious, run the half marathon or avoid this race. Dogs, Strollers, Children, Costumes, narrow public trail, walkers, I even saw a wheelchair being pushed in it. (Which is awesome for them, but definitely not a serious race scenario.)
3. Music was too loud. Notice how very few wanted to be near the tunes?
That said, the volunteers were great and there were enough restrooms, and the cool swag is the only reason I ran this race.

Ok… This review is actually for the 5k instead of the half marathon. I ran this race in 2014 and 2013. This year I was very annoyed while running it. The race was well planned, the volunteers were great, the race shirts were adorable, and I love getting medals. However, I feel like many of the other runners need a refresher course in race etiquette.
First of all, I’m not one of those hard core runners but I am there to run. The course is very narrow and it is very frustrating to run when there are people walking in front of you. I’m totally ok with people walking during a race however you need to be respectful at the start of the race. There are groups with mile times clearly labeled. If you are walking you don’t need to be in the ten minute mile. If you are running with a six year old in flip flops you aren’t going to be running 9 minute miles. If you’re running with a ten year old basset hound eight minute miles are not in your future. I’m not trying to be a jerk but when you’re running and constantly on your toes and going from running to walking you’re going to be more prone to injury. My feet are aching as a write this. Just be respectful, get in the correct mile time and don’t bring dogs or strollers when they’re not allowed at the race.
Other then that I thought that race was pretty good. I thought it would be nice if the 10k, 5k, or half was written on the medals but it’s ok. Maybe they could enforce the stroller rule?
If I do this race again I’ll consider doing the 10k or half.

This review is based on Women Rock by Chicago Monster 2014. I have to admit I’ve done the Women rock and Monster Dash last year and was fairly pleased. This year’s women rock was a disaster! Out of 5 girls i know who did the reach 4 out of 5 Had packets «lost» in the mail. In fact, at packet pick up there were two lines one for packet pickup and on e for «lost packets».
Race day was no better. for the 10 K and HALF MARATHON there were only two water stations. It was 70 degrees in the sun! My friend was vomiting bc of dehydration during the half. NO one was around to help her. Where were the medics??? I did the 10 K and only mile 2 and 4 were marked. So for those of us who like to kick it in to faster gear for the last mile. Well we were out of luck. Also, just before the finish line there was a hairpin turn. Whoever decided to throw that in at the end of the course is not a runner!
I’m really frustrated b/​c last two years we’ve used this race as a girls weekend for some out of state girls and now we need to find a new race company for next years girls weekend.
Also, my husband and I made the mistake of signing up early for monster dash so I’ll get round two of unorganized thirsty racing. BOOO!!!
I’ve heard there has been a change in staffing. Well, if the old management team can let me know when /​where their next race will be, I’m signing on with them!

I did the dash…
I did the Monster Dash! It was a great big smash!
The Chicago Monster Dash was my second half marathon. They also have a 5K and 10K distance too. This is just a casual/​fun race with no start corrals or waves so it was a bit crowded during the narrow start.
The course runs from Arvey Field in Grant Park down the lake south for 6.5 miles and turns back around. I saw a couple people dressed in costumes handing out Twizzlers, Skittles, and other bite sized goodies along the first half mile. Not sure if they were just generous spectators or race volunteers. It was a fun distraction to see most of the runners dressed in costumes throughout the run.
Weren’t as many water/​Powerade stations as I thought would be set up but less excuses to stop meant that I finished a minute and a half faster than my first half marathon=) My favorite race fuel supplement was being handed out at the aid stations too… Hammer Gels! Miles markers were clearly visible but they didn’t provide any split times on your race results.
Post race snacks included a bag with a banana, bagel, and peanuts! The obligatory Muscle Milk tent was also set up… yum for cookies & cream!
Parking at the north Soldier Field parking garage was a breeze and a flat rate of $ 13. Walked a couple blocks down to Arvey Field to check our gear and STRETCH!
For next year, I suggest having a better looking and better made jacket. Running a half marathon is a big deal and I want to strut my stuff in the race gear well after the race. My husband’s flimsy zipper broke off the jacket as he was just trying to unzip and try it on at home! Geez.