Sunday, October 23, 2016 • Chicago, IL • Course Map
One of a series of “Monster Marathon”-themed races that take place in both Minnesota and Illinois throughout the year, Chicago’s Monster Dash Half Marathon & 5K takes runners through several of the city’s signature attractions, from the start in Grant Park overlooking the waters of nearby Lake Michigan to the stretch that runs past Soldier Field, where the NFL’s Chicago Bears play.
Set for a Saturday morning run on the weekend before Halloween, the race will host a costume contest that truly brings out some crazy creativity and inventiveness in many runners, from those dressing up as Lego pieces to those running in their favorite superhero’s outfit, tight spandex and all.
The race organizers will award prizes for best adult male and female costumes in both the half marathon and the 10K, and best individual boy and girl under age 12, as well as prizes for the best couple’s costume and the best group costume.
Runners will follow an out-and-back loop course that starts and finishes at Avery Field in Grant Park, which organizers note should be particularly beautiful thanks to the fact that this time of year is often when the city’s trees are at their autumn peak, with all different shades of yellow, red, orange and brown all around.
From the park, the race route will take runners on a 13.1-mile tour of the districts and neighborhoods surrounding the park, including Soldier Field as well as Chicago’s Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.
All around the course, runners will also be treated to views of Chicago’s iconic city skyline, where they’ll catch plenty of glimpses of the Sears Tower and John Hancock Center, the Smurfit-Stone building and the sailboats anchored in the Chicago Harbor, which leads out into Lake Michigan beyond.
The half marathon race — which has a course time limit of 3 1/2 hours — will be followed by those running in the 5K, which organizers add is open to strollers, to encourage families to come out and participate in the 5K with their whole families. Just over 1,600 runners crossed the finish line in the half marathon alone at the race’s 2014 running.
Race Weather & Climate
Well-known as the “Windy City,” Chicago weather conditions in the mid-fall season typically are mild to moderately cool and occasionally quite cold, with slightly drier weather in October than in the preceding months.
On race day (Oct. 23), the average low is 44ºF and the average high is 61ºF.
Past Results
- 2015 Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 9:00 AM – half marathon
- 9:30 AM – 10K
- 9:40 AM – 5K
Fees
see event website
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2016 running of the Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race, register online at MarathonGuide.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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