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One of Chicago’s few remaining independently-owned large races, the 13th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k is Chicago’s Original Winter Half Marathon. Each year thousands of runners flock to this community-built event, gathering in the warmth of Soldier Field’s United Club North Garage before tackling wind & weather along a lakefront course which features splits every 5km. A must for anyone preparing for a spring marathon, or just resolving to stay fit in the new year.
2022 Swag: Black Hoody
The hoodies come in Adult and Youth sizes.
The Medal features a spinner circled in black, and sports a white ribbon.
Looking to show off your F3 pride every day of the week? Purchase extra gear here.
Note: All pre-purchased merchandise will be shipped on a weekly basis through December, or until supplies last.
5K and Half Marathon Medals
The 2022 medal features a spinning F3, and matches the hoody with its white ribbon and black outline.
*Because of supply chain issues, we ordered early. Late registrants may receive a “RUNNING IS ESSENTIAL” medal*
Prize Money
As promised, prize money will be offered again in 2022.
Here is the final prize schedule:
1st: $400 + $100 Fleet Feet gift certificate
2nd: $225 + $50 Fleet Feet gift certificate
3rd: $125 + $25 Fleet Feet gift certificate
4th: $100
In-person at Soldier Field!
Click above to verify your registration information
For help with your registration, email info@f3running.com
Date | Location |
Saturday, January 8th 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Fleet Feet - Schererville 635 E US Highway 30 Schererville, IN 46375 |
Monday, January 24th 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Fleet Feet - Elmhurst 124 Schiller Ave Elmhurst, IL 60126 |
Saturday, January 15th 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Fleet Feet - Old Town 1706 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60614 |
Sunday, January 16th 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Fleet Feet - Deerfield 800 Waukegan Road Deerfield, IL 60015 |
Monday, January 17th 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Fleet Feet - Oak Park 102 N Marion Street Oak Park, IL 60301 |
Saturday, January 22nd 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Fleet Feet - South Loop 150 Roosevelt Rd Chicago, IL 60605 |
Sunday, January 23rd 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Running For Kicks 7158 W 127th Street Palos Heights, IL 60463 |
Saturday, January 29th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Race Day Will-Call @ Soldier Field $15 fee |
Please wear a mask when you are indoors and waiting in line. Have your ID or race confirmation in hand, and be ready to tell packet pickup staff your last name.
8:00am – United Club doors open
8:05am – Race-day Will-Call pickup open
9:45am – Half Marathoners called to the start corral
9:46am – Final announcements
9:56am – National Anthem
10:00am – Half Marathon Start (wave A: 1:30 // 1:40 // 1:50 //3:30 pacers)
10:10am – Half Marathon Start (wave B: 2:00 // 2:10 // 2:20 pacers)
10:20am – Half Marathon Start (wave C: 2:30 // 2:45 // 3:00 pacers)
10:20am – America the Beautiful
10:30am – 5km Start (wave 1)
10:34am – 5km Start (wave 2)
11:35am – Half Marathon Awards (top 4 women & top 4 men)
12:05pm – 5km course closed
1:00pm – Half Marathon course closed
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own safety. Always know the course.
The courses will be marked as they were in 2020, with signs clipped to the top of cones. Every mile will be marked with our F3 teardrop flags. The turnaround points will be staffed with an experienced, paid course marshal.
Race volunteers & staff are difficult to find, but we intend to have 3 aid stations, as we did in 2020. So here is the *tentative* aid station plan:
Waldron Dr – 5km mile 1 … water
31st Street – HM miles 2.5 & 11.5 … water, energy drink, toilet
Oakwood Blvd – HM miles 4 & 10 … water, energy drink, toilet
Promontory Point – HM miles 6 & 8 … water, energy drink, gel, toilet
HALF MARATHON COURSE
USATF Certified: IL18061NM <–(click for USATF map)
5KM COURSE
USATF Certified: IL18060NM <–(click for USATF map)
Soldier Field
1410 Special Olympics Drive
Parking is indoors at Soldier Field’s North Garage. Please pre-pay using the link below, and show proof of purchase on your way in.
Select our event from the list to reserve parking for Saturday.
Spectators and friends are welcome to support you. If they would like to cheer you during the race, there is parking along Fort Dearborn Drive as well as surface lots at Oakwood Blvd and Promontory Point.
Please remember that we will not be using any indoor spaces, including bathrooms.
There is not re-entry allowed to the parking garage.
We will have a very limited Gear Check this year. It will be under a tent but outside, and the volunteers staffing it will be cold and likely few. If you drive to the race, please use your vehicle for your gear check.
We can’t wait to be back inside next year.
Gear Check will be available in the room on your left after you enter the United Club. Follow the signs & look for the flag!

After the race, you can head over to Kroll’s South Loop for your post-race beer provided by Goose Island!
**Proof of vaccination is required to enter bars & restaurants in the City of Chicago**
The CES Winter Warriors training program is already underway. As always, CES gives you the guidance, coaching, and motivation needed to achieve your fitness goals – no matter if that goal is to complete your first 5K, or to set a personal record in an Ironman Triathlon. Others simply hand their athletes the same schedule year after year and tell them to follow the person in front of them. They take an individualized approach to understanding your definition of achievement and then coach you every step of the way. Join CES and they’ll bring out the best endurance athlete in you. To learn more about Chicago Endurance Sports and the wide variety of training programs they offer, visit ChicagoEnduranceSports.c
Winter months can be challenging, but CARA’s “Power of the Group” will provide you the support, community, and accountability you need to successfully run through the winter, and reach your next start line ready to race. CARA Director of Training and Head Coach Tim Bradley provides an 18-week training plan. Winter training program runners can choose between a Half-Marathon Plan or Marathon Plan.
Once again our pacers will be provided by the capable coaching and training staff at Chicago Endurance Sports. The following pace groups are provided:
1:30 (6:51 per mile)
1:40 (7:37 per mile)
1:50 (8:23 per mile)
2:00 (9:09 per mile)
2:10 (9:55 per mile)
2:20 (10:40 per mile)
2:30 (11:26 per mile)
2:45 (12:35 per mile)
3:00 (13:44 per mile)