Paleozoic Trail Runs 25k and 50k

Today was the inaugural running of the Paleozoic Trail Runs 25k and 50k trail races held on the limestone and dirt trails of Palos Forest Preserve just outside Chicago (but a world away).

The RD was friend and ultra Grand Slam finisher Mr Bill Thom and his wife Michelle. Bill has run many many many (and many) miles on these trails the years he did the famous Western States 100 ultra in California. In fact Bill and I stayed at the same hotel one year in Truckee (he was running, I was vacationing).

Bill had wanted to put on a 50k on these trails especially as it had been a long time since Universal Sole's  Detonty 50k had been held. In those years since getting permits for events at Palos has become very hard but Bill was able to secure permission for a race although he could not get the orange trails so had to use the limestone trails to the east of Little Red School House and the dirt trails of Bullfrog Lake. In a given year this would make for a good fast course and fine for veteran trail runners and newbies.

I offered to volunteer at the race and Bill asked me to captain the start/finish Wolf Rd aid station which the runners hit twice on each loop. The other aid station was captained by Brian Gaines and the New Leaf Ultra Runs group, my running group. In the end both aid stations were staffed by New Leaf plus Annie from Indiana!

Due to the weather this year Bill was unable to bike the course until the day before and give course setter Terry a grand tour. The course that day was muddy on the dirt and snow/icy and wet on the limestone. That would not change for the next day!

I arrived early before sunrise and set up getting packet pick up ready for the 7am check in. My friend Rich who looks like Mick Jagger helped me before he ran the 25k and then volunteer Annie arrived plus New Leafer Tifanie. Bill had everyone's bib, timing chip, safety pins and T shirt in a plastic sealed envelope. All we had to do was ask their names, distance go to the correct box or cooler and they were set for the race. Roughly 90 50ks and 116 25ks were signed up of which only 15 were no shows.

Bill with help from Michelle and myself gave a pre-race talk before sending the 50k runners off then 15 minutes later the 25k runners. Tifanie, Annie and I then converted the packet pick up station into an aid station and helped Bill get the timing table/mats into place. Water, Gatorade was poured while small bowls were filled with salty, cheesey snacks, candy, bananas, Clif Bars and oreos.

Around 1 hour 20 minutes the first runners began to appear but sadly something had gone a tad wrong on the course with many getting lost or taking wrong routes back to the main trail. Now if this was a road race the place would have erupted. Sure they were not happy about it but they all took it in stride and went out on the smaller dirt loop. Some folks missed turns on that loop even though it was marked well and most seemed to get it right second time through. On the main loop the course setters had got a little lost in the dark but righted themselves in the end. As I was at the main aid station and never on the course I really not sure what happened out there. In the end no one was really upset and put it down to being a trail race in tough condition.

The runners arrived some in groups some alone some with cheering crew. They fueled up and headed back out on the challenging trails. The winner was around 3 hours 45 or 50 minute (I don't recall exactly and it might be a few days before official results are up). Second place guy was not far behind but he did get lost so that changed his distance and time. Shelly Cook won the female 50k division. Most people finished the distance they signed up for with very few dropping down or not finishing. With the conditions that was amazing to witness.

Everyone who finished received a really nice medal (different wording for each distance) and a drink cozy. The medals and cozy were a big hit. 

An amazing sight during the race was around 100 sandhill cranes flying over Palos headed north probably yo Wisconsin - maybe winter is soon to be over.

For a first time event it was a lot of fun. There are some issues with the course to sort out for next year and I've given the RD some suggestion which he agreed would likely work. He would also love to have it a little later (April) but a lot depends on the preserve department.

Thanks to Bill and Michelle for hosting, thanks to New Leaf that hosted the mid loop aid stations and the New Leafs that helped at the start/finish. Congrats to everyone that finished the distance, it was tough and challenging out there.

Results will be here  http://www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=13075IL1&tab=a2 once Bill has had some rest and figured them out

Universal Sole Trail Challenge

The New Leaf Ultra Runners today invaded the dirt trails of Cook County's Schiller Woods to run the Universal Sole Trail Challenge (fall edition). The race was only 5+ miles but what was a group of ultra runners doing at a 5+ mile run. Well a fast race and lots of fun with friends.

For a number of years Universal Sole had held a 5+ mile race on this course. I did it twice during that time. First year was a wet race with a flooded road tunnel underpass and a creek that leads to the Des Plaines River overflowing it's banks. Second time the course was dry which made for a course PR.

Universal Sole changed hands and the race took a break but this year RD Joel brought it back first with a summer version and today with the Fall edition back on the race calendar. When I heard Joel was bringing it back I knew this was a must do race. I first meet Joel, all to briefly when we both helped at the Palos Detonty 50k. I was charged with aid station set up and Joel did lead bike. At the time Joel worked for Clif Bar as Midwest area manager promoting the product at race expos and events. Last 3 years I've worked for Clif Bar at those events that Joel used to manage. Although he is not part of Clif Bar now he will always stop by the booth when Universal Sole have a booth at the same event. Always great to see Joel.

I offered to put the Trail Challenge race on the New Leaf Ultra facebook page and Joel was happy to get some ultra runners come to his event. I think there was around 12 or more signed up and one member who also coaches runners and triathlete got some of her students to sign up for their first trail race.

Joel went old school with a great cotton T shirt. Sure tech Ts have there place but I like a nice cotton T shirt for wearing after events or at home or when hanging out with friends is great to have in the collection. And it was red with a great logo.  I'll use the tech ones to train in. He also had a great option of subbing the T for a handheld water bottle or paying an extra $5 and getting both.

After listening to some fine 80s music pumping out of the PA and some race course information around 150 trail runners toed the line under the giant 312 Goose Island (beer) inflatable start arch. I lined up at the back with my blogger friend Kim (or Kimbot as she likes to be called, sometimes) and decided to be the very last starter.

                                          (photo by Steven courtesy of Kim)
We started across a flat wide field but soon hit a narrowing onto a trail that I think Joel had created for the race. It was full of leaves, roots, tree branches and what might have been a dry creek bed. After that we moved to a gravel path around the start area. After that the course followed dirt single and wide track widing around the whole preserve. Some of the single track had a little wetness to it but nothing of concerns. The only water and mud section was the tunnel under Lawerence Ave. which we hit going out and coming back. Joel and his crew had done a great job of marking the course with red flagging markers and at major intersections had either a course marshal (thanks volunteers) or a big arrow sign (thanks sign). No one should have got lost, no one. One water station on  the course managed by Kim's friend Erin (thanks Erin). We also hit that twice as it was by the tunnel.

I was at the back of the race from the start. Passed some people thanks to the speed Kim set in the first few miles. I knew at some point Kim would pull away from me, I was likely slowing her down but it was a fun two miles running with Kim. Kim is new to trail running but is a road veteran with many age group awards. This year she ran her first ultra at the North Face trail 50k in Wisconsin. Kim is a New Leaf Runner.

                                         Kim and I "leading" a pack (photo by Steven) 
My goal was just to finish. A certain lack of train this year as lead  my runs and limited races to have just finish thoughts. Secretly under one hour would be great and a Schiller Woods PR. The course was similar to my previous two times there if I am recalling the old course right, only so many trails there.

Although still near the back of the pack I finally finished in 57 minutes and 20 seconds around 8 minutes faster than last time I did a race on this course. I'll take that. Maybe not training works, nay I got to train.
Kim got a photo of me finishing with the great 312 Chicago (beer) start/finish arch.

Results: http://www.tothefinishtiming.com/races/usole-trail-challenge/USOLETrailChallenge-Fall-Edition-results.html

Universal Sole have posted photos from the race on their Flicker account. Here is the link to one of Kim and I in first few miles (likely first mile or so)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/universalsole/8197769574/in/set-72157632040405145/
Thanks again to Joel, Universal Sole, US staff, crew and volunteers, all the sponsors and a big shout out to those from my running group New Leaf Ultra Runners who proved they can go fast or long when it comes to running. Thanks all

If anyone is looking for more trail fun a new trail event group is putting on lots of trail races in the Chicagoland area. They held one at Schiller Woods a few weeks ago and have another in two weeks (I'll likely be volunteering depending on work) plus in 2013 they hit the trail running with many events from 5k to half marathon, all trail. Check out  http://www.muddymonk.com/ The Muddy Monk RD also ran today's race, great meeting you Art and thanks for bringing more trail races to Chicago area.

DPRT Race Report 2012

Year three of the Des Plaines River Trail Races held in a north suburb of Chicago.

Year three that I have done one of the races

And as each year goes by the race gets better and better.

Two years ago this was my marathon come back race. It was held in May that year, 2010. In 2011 the RDs moved it to October and I did the half marathon as well as helping race morning a packet pick up. 2012 saw me doing the same again.

Unlike 2010 and 2011 I did basically no training this year. Sure I had plans for this year but life gets in the way at times so I did what I could for training but due to work and a touch of summer bronchitics it was not much. No worries I'd make the race a training run and have a good time watching other runners tear up the course on a very nice day.

RD's Ed and Terry are both Badwater, Marathon des Sables and multiple other ultra races finishers. A few weeks ago Terry directed a 165 mile stage trail race in the southern Utah and northern Arizona that received rave reviews  http://www.g2gultra.com/ Having been part of DPRT I am not surprised about G2G.

I offered to work packet/chip pick up before running my half. It meant an early morning as race HQ is an hour away from home. Arrived around 5.15am and helped Ed set up a few things before moving over to bib and T shirt pick up. The first 50 milers arrived right at 5.30am and then a steady stream followed. A great crew of volunetters had been recruited and we had very few lines despite a total of over 500 runners between the three distance (100 in 50mile, 200 in the marathon and 200+ in the half). I picked up my T shirt and bib before it got busy and then collected my timing chip when I was handing out chips.

Each race started on time and each race did a 2.5 mile out n back loop to the south and back to start before heading northwards to our respected turnarounds. For the half I lined up near the back but was still across the start in around 17 seconds. I don't think I had a good start but that was to be expected and given that I knew I could finish even if it was ugly and slow I plodded on and on. Each time I've ran this trail I marvel had how scenic it is. I also think I need to return to explore the other trails that go off from the main trail including some grass and dirt trails. Given a large number of intersecting trails Ed and Terry did an amazing job of marking the course with arrows, wrong way signs, mile markers, aid station ahead warnings. No one got lost nor should they. The aid stations were every 2.5 to 3 miles on the half course and everyone had been warned to carry a bottle or pack. Unlike big city marathons that water every mile or so DPRT are spread out like a big time ultra. DPRT is getting to be a big time race.

I loved seeing the fact marathoners come back and then the half runners. Seeing the half runner meant I was close to the New Leaf ultra group aid station. There was a number of NLUR there to greet me which of course meant it was time to hang around for a little. Sure it add around 7 minutes to my time but I was there to have some fun and enjoy the race. After taking in some coke, Brandi's famous vegan brownies I turned and left for home and the medal that awaited me. I knew it would be a slow time but as the miles went by I kept a fairly steady average pace with some walking breaks. My goal was just to finish. I guess another goal was to beat last years time but as I knew that would not happen I just went for a sub 3 and got it.

Another goal was to finish before the first 50 miler finished. They started 2 hours before the half so totally knew that would happen  but some of those 50 milers are fast. Upon finishing Ed presented me with a finishers medal to go with the awesome long sleeve black race T shirt.

Got a post race meal, found some MUDD/NLUR friends who had either ran, crewed or cheered runners while waiting for the first 50 miler finish. We all wanted to see Oswaldo Lopez finish first. Oswaldo won Badwater in 2011 with  MUDDer Juan Juarez crewing him. Juan had got Oswaldo to come to Illinois to run DPRT. The wait soon paid off with Oswaldo finishing in first place smiling as he finished.

Oswaldo hung around to get a meal but also to chat with all and pose for photos. Sure was a pleasure to have Oswaldo come to Chicagland and run the race.  

Juan, Carol, Oswaldo, me (photo "borrowed from Keith Daniels)

Next year I will training, not just for this one but for all. DPRT is highly recommended.

Trail races coming up

My next race is only a few days away, the Des Plaines River Trail Races on Saturday October 20th. I am doing the half marathon but also offered is a marathon and a 50 mile ultra. Care to join the fun? Website to sign up is http://desplainesrivertrailraces.com/ The course is groomed limestone trail which is flat for the most part and follows the namesake river through the woods and meadows.

If you get there before the half starts I'll also be working packet pick up so say hello.

After that shooting to run some of a 32 mile fun run at Deer Grove with my ultra running groups. I'll be happy with 3 of the loops completed.

Week later is the Universal Sole Trail Challenge, 5.3 miles along another section of the Des Plaines River Trail system but in Cook County and nothing like the paved Lake County section. This one will include dirt single and wide track and maybe even wet feet if the creek leading into the river is up.
 https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/86478

Universal Sole Trail Challenge (November)

http://www.universalsole.com/index.php/News/177/

Very fitting that one of my favorite Chicago running stores is again putting on a trail race in Chicago Schiller Woods on November 17th. Come out and run 5.2 miles (approx) on some single track and wider trail along the Des Plaines River. Universal Sole are known for grass roots running so also fitting is the cotton T shirt to all signed up runners, who needs yet another tech T :-)  Sign up now before fee goes up come October.

I did this race a few times under the old ownership. Paul, a friend of mine who I helped put on his DeTonty 50k a few times (did on course aid station set up). He held the Schiller Woods for a number of years and the two years I ran it the event was well put on. Paul sold the store to the current owner Joel. Joel is a former area Clif Bar manager a company I am a crew member for at many local expos. Joel always stops by the Clif Bar booth to chat with us; nice guy. Past few years he put on a trail race in Palos but this year he brought back the Schiller Woods Trail Challenge with a summer edition. Now he has brought back the fall edition and I intend to be there. I hope you sign up too. And for all my ultra buddies I am sure Joel would have no issue with you running it a few more times or more!!

Joel has some good sponsors lined up including Clif Bar, 312 Goose Island (beer), Fuel Belt and Saucony

Photo of me finishing the 2008 event:   http://www.runrace.net/runreports.php?id=48&tab=a3&image=2199  (I've lost some weight since then!!)

Details about the US Trail Challenge Fall Edition ripped from the website with some minor editing on links:

It's back again for the fall! The Universal Sole Trail Challenge Fall Edition! Mark your calendars for November 17 as the season has changed on us. USOLE is proud to be re-introducing to the store’s race calendar a trail running competition to the Chicagoland area for the fall on Saturday, November 17! Universal Sole’s Trail Challenge Series will be a single path course design with fun and unpredictability still at the forefront! Get "Off" the roads and join us for this unique tail adventure!

Key Dates-Time-Location:

• Race Day - November 17, 2012
• Check-In 8:30am - 9:30am
• Race Start - 10:00am
• Post Race Party Start - 11:00am
• Race Location - Schiller Woods Forest Preserve | WEST ENTRANCE GROVE #3 | 8400 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL
• Check out the course on the website
• Packet Pickup November 15-16, 2012 - 11am - 7pm
• Universal Sole - Lakeview
• Address: 3052 North Lincoln, Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 868-0893
• We will have race morning packet pickup from 8:30am - 9:30am! It is encouraged for folks to pick up packet at Universal Sole!

Race Details

This will be a true cross-country style trail race with a mass start narrowing into the trail head. The course will be about 5.25 miles with varying terrain (mix of double and single track) making it fun and challenging all at once! Check out the course on website  All participants that sign up will receive a custom USOLE Trail Challenge event cotton t-shirt (men & women specific), a bowl (or two) of Will's Famous Chilli, a can of Goose Island 312 and all the trail running they can handle that morning!

• Water and Gatorade at the Start/Finish area!
• Clif Bars-Bagels for all runners at the finish.
• Porta-Potties on-site!
• Chip timing for all registered runners.
• World Famous Will Bridge Chilli and Goose Island 312 Beer in the new cans for all finishers (Post Trail Race Party)!
• Awards - Top 3 Male and Female Finishers - Top 3 Masters (40 and over) Male and Female Finishers

Lululemon's "I Run Because...........5k"

 I Run Because...........................5k

 A race on a Tuesday
 A free race
 A race in a favourite forest preserve

Why not.

Lululemon stores in Naperville and Oak Brook  held a 5k race on the scenic trails of Fullerburg Forest Preserve, a DuPage FP in Oak Brook IL. Lululemon is well known nationwide retail store for quality yoga apparel and merchandise and a small line of running and fitness clothing.  The race was being held on a Tuesday morning the day before the 4th of July holiday.

I was not scheduled to work until 11.30am that day so signed up for the race. Oh it was free with Lululemon and sponsors picking up the fee. I am sure a few folks had worries about a free race but if so they proved not a concern come race day.

A week before the race all runners received a detailed email including course map and parking information plus information of pre-race packet pick up. I attended the in store pick up in Naperville. Being a free race there was no race T shirt but we did get a nice Lululemon shopping bag, more like a reusable tote bag, a race bib number via sponsor RoadID, a few free samples and the normal paper ads which in this case were primarily yoga studio cards some with free class offers.

Tuesday morning I got up bright and early to drive to Oak Brook.  As Fullersburg has only a small parking area all runners were supposed to park at one of three off sites and walk about 0.85 miles to the race start. I parked at Graue Mill. The walk in made a nice warm up (and later cool down) along a scenic river side trail that we would be running very soon. Race day packet pick up was in full swing for the "sold out" event and different sponsor vendors were busy setting up. Found my friend Glenn who works at Lululemon. He was busy doing some of the set up in and around the vendor area but introduced me to his friend Jim. Jim is training for a half marathon later this year so it was good to hear how his training was coming along.

I then headed to near the start line and watched some runners doing a stretching routine before we all lined up. One of the Lululemon staff said some words then the starters horn sounded. Around two years ago I had ran another race on this very course so knew what was ahead of me. I also set up the Oak Brook half marathon course that uses 3 miles of the Fullersburg course. Luckily the 5k didn't use the big hill that the half uses. I don't run many 5ks. I fact in last 14 years I had ran four and 3 of those were dirt trail races mainly on mountain bike trails. My training this year has been lacking so the plan for this 5k was just to run a consistent pace including being steady on the hills. I really had no idea what time to shoot for so on a warm and humid day I just ran by feel and thought I'd adjust as I went along although I was wearing my Garmin GPS.

The start like any race was crowded but it quickly thinned out and I soon had room to run my pace and hold it. The course was on limestore trails for the first 2.2 miles and winded along both banks of the Salt Creek river under a canopy of trees. The first hill was a bridge that took us from the right bank to the left bank then a couple of other hills soon came up. There was an aid station around mile 1.8 but I had decided to carry my UD handheld as I do for most runs and races so passed through  without taking any. Shortly after we passed the dam take a short road bridge back to the right bank and ran passed the Graue Mill near where I was parked. A little brick path, some more limestone which was a little rutted before we hit a section of paved  trail which had the last hill. Finally we took the last turn on to a woodchip trail to the finish. I could hear the crowd and music playing and hopefully looked strong with the finish.

This ended up being my fastest 5k in 14 years. I was pleased with the effort and time. Sure I am still  a long way off my PR from 20 years ago but I'll take it. 31 min and 29 seconds (10'10 pace) on a hilly, warm and humid course. Off the 219 finishers 180 were female so I was top 40 male (32 actually).

The vendor section was handing out energy and smoothie type drink samples. There was a couple health service provides set up. Plus a nice spread of post race food. On the Forest Preserve Visitors Center overlooking the river Lululemon had set up a number of yoga mats and Aurora's Living Yoga lead 3 20 minute yoga sessions. I watched from the upper level. Two years ago I had taken a six week beginners yoga course at Living Yoga so it was great watching my yoga teachers putting on this session. I really need to get back to yoga, it is a great tool for runners especially those like me that never stretch.

I walked over to the awards. Top five male and top five female were presented with goody bags containing gift certificates for yoga, massages and to running stores. Then in an awesome touch they handed out similar to those that placed 25,50,100, 150 etc. Then, yeah there was more, they had around 25 raffle prizes of similar gift certificates from the sponsors.

So happy I signed up for this free event. It was well organized from sign up to race info to packet pickup, The course was well marked with great volunteers at all the intersections and turns. The sponsors were good and fitting for the primarily yoga running crowd and the post race food was just right. I loved being inspired by the yoga session and intend to use the gift certificate I was given by a runner who lived to far from the yoga studio she won it from, thanks number 50. The studio just happens to be Living Yoga .

Thank you Lululemon Naperville and Oak Brook. I'll be back next year    

(Lululemon Logo at top of report owned and borrowed from Lululemon, call it free PR)

2012 Soldier Field 10 miler

Last year I did the Solider Field 10 miler. These days I don't do many races and do even less on roads and paved trails preferring to stick to dirt trails and a little limestone. But Soldier Field was so well organized in 2011 I wanted to return and do it again.

Thanks to Clif Bar I received a race entry. Unlike last year when I was given a bib number in the speedy corral start and 7000+ people passed me I was assigned to the more sensible number 8. Unlike last year my training was not where I wanted it to be. I had done a couple 8 mile runs and one trail 20k race back in March but really was so under prepared for 10 miles on pavement and concrete although I knew I'd finish.

Last year I had set a goal of breaking 2.10 although deep down wanted 2.00. Back in the days I could run faster and my 10 mile PR is around 1.17. Guess I am getting older and some previous medical issues had changed the speed but at least I can do the distance and longer.  Last year I did 1.48. I knew this would not happen this year but could I break 2 hours?

Going into race day the weather forecast where all doom and gloom with hot humid temperatures forecast. Madison Marathon which was due to be held on May 27th changed in advance to a half marathon for all. I've ran in Death Valley in July when the temperature as been over 100 on my run and during the day hit 128 but Death Valley is a dry heat and I'd been heat training to crew at the Badwater 135. Chicago has had warmer temperatures this year but not to get ready to run 10 miles in the heat.

Race morning came and the warmer forecast had  replaced by thunder storms and bad rain. The temperature dropped to the 60s but the wind came up. Luckily the rain did not reach the race course, just large black clouds visible a few miles to the north, someone said it was raining in Evanston.

Dave and Dave (1/.Fleet Feet owner 2/. Chicago's best race announcer) held a start line ceremony to honour the military current, active and veterans which on this Memorial Day weekend was very moving.

The race started with the elite corral and then one by one each corral was sent on it's way. Being in corral 8 I had to wait 27 minutes to start but it meant a clear path due to the gap between corrals. The start was well organized and for an event of this size that would be running the narrow Lakefront bike path on the return journey spreading out corrals is the way to go. Just like last year I started way to fast hitting mile one in 9 or so minutes. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the race. I slowed down and knew it was the best thing to do. Although I had that goal I mainly wanted to enjoy myself and have fun. We headed through McCormick place onto the service road for the big expo centre before hitting Lakeshore Drive in two south bound lanes. This road is normal crowded with traffic, today two lanes had 15000 runners (Sunday it held 20,000 cyclists when LSD was closed to all traffic but bikes). Just over mile 4 I heard a voice behind me "Hey Coach". It was my friend Sarah. I was Sarah's group leader when she trained for her first marathon and has called me Coach ever since (I love it). We gave each other a hug and then Sarah powered on to a good time. Finally we hit the turn around leaving LSD to join the bike path. And we hit the wind, and it was strong. I had to pull my Clif Bar running cap tight on to my head and the race number pinned to my shirt was trying to become a kite. The return was tough due to the wind, and the rising temperature and humidity plus I was not really ready for 10 miles on such a hard surface. But still I plodded on, made sure I got Gatorade at each aid station, refilled my handheld water bottle (a trial runner even uses them in road races!!) took a few walking breaks and was soon closing in on Soldier Field. Just after we returned past McCormick Place we moved to the road that runs a long Soldier Field's east side. There was a lot of people cheering on the runners. Security and volunteers directed us into the stadium via the players parking and through the players tunnel out on to the field. Across the grass (does that count as trail?) with the jumbotron showing us finish even though for the second year I did not see myself and across the half way line finish. I had a good look at the stadium from the field level. It looks very large from down there. After leaving the playing area we went through the inner part of the stadium and out into the corridors to collect a finishers medal, food bag, water and Gatorade and the finisher blanket.

That was tough for me as explained but my goal of breaking 2 hours happened with 1 hour 56 minutes and some seconds. I was happy given everything. I know if I train for next year (OK I said next year) and add some road running to my trail running I can totally beat both my Soldier Field times. I'll not get back to days past but that is not on the agenda

Just like last year this race was so well organized. Dave and his crew at Fleet Feet, all the volunteers, the staff at Soldier Field, the City of Chicago and all the sponsor especially Clif Bar (who I work expos for) are to be commended for an awesome race with a great theme and cause (Military Veterans/Active and also American Cancer Society). I'll be back

Race results can be found one the race webstie http://soldierfield10.com/

I'll add photos when I get some but the finishers medal, race T shirt and finishers blanket are below (photo "borrowed" and copyrighted from/by Fleet Feet Chicago, thanks Dave!!)