PRESENTED BY
One of Chicago’s few remaining independently-owned large races, the 14th 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 (YES! We’re back inside this year!) 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.
2023 Swag is here!
This year’s swag is a cozy hooded jacket and custom finisher medal!
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
Finish your race on the frosty Lakefront and take home one of these beauties!
Prize Money
As promised, prize money will be offered again in 2023.
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
Please bring your ID or race confirmation with you. If you are picking up for a friend, you will need a copy of their ID or race confirmation. If you are picking up for multiple friends, email info@f3running.com so we can have everything ready beforehand.
2023 Packet Pick-up Schedule:
Saturday, January 7th – Fleet Feet Schererville
Sunday, January 8th – Fleet Feet Elmhurst
Saturday, January 14th – Fleet Feet Old Town
Sunday, January 15th – Fleet Feet Deerfield
Monday, January 16th – Fleet Feet Oak Park (2pm – close)
Saturday, January 21st – Fleet Feet South Loop
Tuesday, January 24th – Running for Kicks (1pm-6pm)
Click on the location for directions and hours.
Unless noted, packet pick-up hours will mirror the store’s hours.
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)
10:30am – 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 2022, 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.
Spectators are welcome into the United Club throughout the morning.
There is not re-entry allowed to the parking garage.
We will have lots and lots of photos of your race experience. Check out some of the fun that we had back in 2020…
https://www.highfivebb.com/Running/F3-Half-Marathon-2020
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!
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)