PRESENTED BY
Experience Chicago’s Original Winter Half Marathon at the 17th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k!
As one of the few independently-owned large races in Chicago, the F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k has become a beloved event in the Chicagoland running community. Every year, thousands of runners gather in the warmth of Soldier Field’s United Club before braving the wind and weather along the lakefront course. This event is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay active and fit in the new year or preparing for a spring marathon.
2025 Swag below. Reveal of 2026 swag this fall!
A cozy hooded sweatshirt 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 semi-weekly basis in January til the 20th, or until supplies last.
5K and Half Marathon Medals
**Last year’s (2025) medal information**
Finish your race on the frosty Lakefront and let our mittens warm your heart!
Prize Money
Prize money will be offered again in 2026.
Here is the tentative prize schedule for 2026:
1st: $1000
2nd: $500
3rd: $400
4th: $300
5th: $200
Masters Champions M/W: $350
Masters 2nd Place M/W: $250
Masters 3rd Place M/W: $150
*** Masters “double-dip” prize money ***
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.
If you want the chance to switch sizes, come to the earlier pickup(s)!
2026 Tentative Packet Pick-up Schedule:
- Saturday, January 10th – Fleet Feet Schererville (9am-3pm only)
- Sunday, January 11th – Fleet Feet Elmhurst
- Saturday, January 17th – Fleet Feet South Loop
- Sunday, January 18th – Fleet Feet Deerfield
- Monday, January 19th – Fleet Feet Oak Park (2pm – close only)
- Saturday, January 24th – Fleet Feet Old Town
- Sunday, January 25th – Fleet Feet Old Town
- Friday, January 31st – Fleet Feet South Loop (12pm – close only)
Click on the location for directions and hours.
Unless noted, packet pick-up hours will mirror the store’s hours, open-close
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
10:01am – Half Marathon Start (wave A: 1:30 // 1:40 // 1:50 //3:30 pacers)
10:03am – Half Marathon Start (wave B: 2:00 // 2:10 // 2:20 pacers)
10:05am – Half Marathon Start (wave C: 2:30 // 2:45 // 3:00 pacers)
10:28am – 5km Start
11:30am – Weathermark Tavern opens
11:35am – Half Marathon Awards (top 5 women & top 5 men, top 3 masters)
12:05pm – 5km course closed
1:35pm – Half Marathon course closed
2:00pm – United Club closed
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own safety. Always know the course.
The courses will be marked as they were in 2025, 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 2025. 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, January 31st.
Our event should appear in the list by early January. The parking website fails from time to time, so it’s a good idea to purchase your parking before race week.
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, Promontory Point, and 63rd Street Beach.
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 the fun we had last year!
https://www.flashframe.io/event/2624/all/all/0
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, sail away with us to Weather Mark Tavern!
Wear your medal & show your bib for a free beer.
The CES Winter Warriors training program begins in late October. 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’s James Diamond provides an 18-week training plan. Winter training program runners can choose between a Half-Marathon Plan or Marathon Plan.
Training begins in late October.
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)
