"4"^^ . . . . "Pros: THE COURSE IS SO FLAT AND EASY YOU JUST HAVE TO SHOW UP TO PR. Very cheap race expo (meaning you can actually buy things) compared to others.\nCons: apocalyptic Illinois weather and vague race communications.\n\n\nI'm between 3-4 stars here's why.\n2014: the race had solid organization, extreme heat actually tortured runners on the day. We could have used a few extra stations and I am extremely grateful to all residents who put up extra tables with water / sprinklers on the course. I wasn't happy with my 5:14 but heat always squashes my hopes quickly. I said I would come back. \n\n2015: all of the race business was ok up to about 3 h into the race when the course was closed due to downpour and lightning but the clocks weren't stopped. Obviously people who had trained for months kept running but either the course signs were removed or I was too tired to notice the split that lead to the closed loop, so I trotted about 21 miserable miles to get a DNF. Some of the volunteers were picked up, some chose to stay, none of the runners around me 11-12 min mile range were picked up. I finished that stretch. Whatever. Was offered free entry for 2016 because I miserably trotted to the finish line despite the weather. MANY PEOPLE GOT BOSTON QUALIFIERS BECAUSE THE CLOCKS WEREN'T STOPPED (the decision was actually made around 3:10 time since the start)\n\n2016: vague threats of storms possibly lightning. Threats of stopping the timing as soon as the first lightning strike came close (unspecified distance of course because VAGUE communications) to the course. I don't see why unlike last year the timing chips were going to be turned off. Unmanned aid stations are ok for people who want to finish and PR the race. I ONLY showed up because I didn't want to waste my free entry and because I BLEW MY 5k time out of the water the day before (24:54) so I thought I'd have a fantastic time running. I waited until 5am race day to make the final decision whether to go or not. When the weather announced no risk of lightning I got in my car and drove to the start. I am glad I did. The cold rain and the wind made for A FANTASTIC RUN. There were so many people out in the rain cheering (and pissing sleeping people in other houses off). Cold rain and wind made for a cool fast run... I shaved 13 min off my full marathon PR set only 3 weeks before at the St. Louis go marathon! And I shaved 66 min off my hot 2014 marathon. It's hard to describe what it's like to push your vomit limit out of the fear of unpredictable weather cancellation but this race did it for me. \n\nOverall: it's a good race but has a caveat that it might turn to a disaster since it's logistically difficult to manage that many people evac in case of storm... Register for it 10days in advance when you'll have a relatively vague idea about the forecast. If you're in it for rain push your guts out, if you're in it for a lightning storm..:. Either push harder or don't waste your time going at all. There's a few other marathons in IL within two weeks of this one.\n\nThe expo is one of the CHEAPEST ones you'll find at a big race!! I mean 5$ tech shirts from past years!! Yesssss. And you can donate some of your old shoes too (unless they're disintegrating). Some of the volunteers were a little bit clueless as to where some of the low BIBs were but they figured it out eventually without calling a \"did not find bib\"\n\nThis race is great only given great weather. Choose wisely."^^ . "0"^^ . "2016-05-02T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "0"^^ .