16th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k
- Date Sat 25th January 2025
- Time 10:00AM EST
- Location Chicago, Illinois
- Price $69.09 - $106.19
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km, Half Marathon
Event summary
Join the excitement at the 16th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in beautiful Chicago, Cook County! This iconic winter event, known as Chicago's Original Winter Half Marathon, draws thousands of enthusiastic runners eager to embrace the challenge of a scenic lakefront course. Participants can choose between the 13.1-mile Half Marathon, which begins at 10 am, or the 5k starting at 10:30 am. Both races feature a fast and mostly flat USATF certified course with aid stations and pacers provided by Fleet Feet & Chicago Endurance Sports.
Kick off the new year with a commitment to fitness while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow runners. The event will take place in the warmth of Soldier Field's United Club, where gear check is available, and participants can gather before and after the race. Be sure to celebrate your achievement at the afterparty at Weathermark Tavern! With an impressive prize purse exceeding $6,000 up for grabs, this event is not only a fantastic way to stay active but also an opportunity to compete for some amazing rewards. Don't miss out on this exhilarating winter running tradition!
Kick off the new year with a commitment to fitness while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow runners. The event will take place in the warmth of Soldier Field's United Club, where gear check is available, and participants can gather before and after the race. Be sure to celebrate your achievement at the afterparty at Weathermark Tavern! With an impressive prize purse exceeding $6,000 up for grabs, this event is not only a fantastic way to stay active but also an opportunity to compete for some amazing rewards. Don't miss out on this exhilarating winter running tradition!
Organiser's Description
The 16th 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 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 throughout the new year. F^3 sold out in 2016-2020 and 2023-present.
Every registrant will once again receive one of our great hoodies and a medal! We will return again to the warm confines of Soldier Field's United Club! The UC opens at 8am. Gear check is available. Half marathon starts at 10am, and consists of self-seeded waves in quick succession. The 5k is scheduled for 10:30am. Courses close at 1:30pm.
After the race, head to Weathermark Tavern for the afterparty! 1503 S. Michigan Ave. Free participant photos are always uploaded to flashframe.io
2024 Results link: https://www.athlinks.com/event/129578/results/Event/1069523/Results
Packet Pickup Dates for 2025: (subject to change, but probably won't change)
Saturday, January 4th - Fleet Feet Schererville (9am-3pm)
Sunday, January 5th - Fleet Feet Elmhurst (11am-4pm)
Saturday January 11th - Fleet Feet South Loop (10am-6pm)
Sunday, January 12th - Fleet Feet Deerfield (11am-4pm)
Saturday, January 18th - Fleet Feet Old Town (10am-6pm)
Sunday January 19th - Fleet Feet Old Town (11am-5pm)
Monday, January 20th - Fleet Feet Oak Park (2pm-6pm)
Friday January 24th - Fleet Feet South Loop (12pm-7pm)
The USATF certified course is mostly flat & fast along Chicago's lakefront. Each mile is marked with an F^3 feather flag. There are three aid spots on course, each of which are passed twice, offering 6 chances for water, Gatorade, or a bathrooms. Pacers will once again be provided by Fleet Feet & Chicago Endurance Sports. Pace groups typically provided are: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:30 (sweep). Out of respect for our volunteers, the course closes at 1:35pm, at a pace of 14:06 min/mile.
Wave Start: The Half Marathon start is done in waves to limit over-crowding on the course. Waves are self-seeded and start approximately every 90 seconds. Waves start fastest to slowest. Those needing more time, or worried about keeping ahead of the rolling course closure time (14:06 mi pace) should start with WAVE 1 and keep to the left for the first mile.
Indoor parking is available at Soldier Field's North Garage. Click here: Reserve Soldier Field Parking Online [https://www.soldierfieldparking.com/?doing_wp_cron=1705683191.1495358943939208984375] select F3 Half Marathon from the list (beginning in Jan '25). Show proof of purchase on your way in.
_TOTAL PRIZE PURSE OF MORE THAN $6,000!_
Prize Money:
Champion M/W: $1000
2nd M/W: $500
3rd M/W: $400
4th M/W: $300
5th M/W: $200
Masters Champion M/W: $350
Masters 2nd M/W: $250
Masters 3rd M/W: $150
***Masters "double-dip" prize money***
Every registrant will once again receive one of our great hoodies and a medal! We will return again to the warm confines of Soldier Field's United Club! The UC opens at 8am. Gear check is available. Half marathon starts at 10am, and consists of self-seeded waves in quick succession. The 5k is scheduled for 10:30am. Courses close at 1:30pm.
After the race, head to Weathermark Tavern for the afterparty! 1503 S. Michigan Ave. Free participant photos are always uploaded to flashframe.io
2024 Results link: https://www.athlinks.com/event/129578/results/Event/1069523/Results
Packet Pickup Dates for 2025: (subject to change, but probably won't change)
Saturday, January 4th - Fleet Feet Schererville (9am-3pm)
Sunday, January 5th - Fleet Feet Elmhurst (11am-4pm)
Saturday January 11th - Fleet Feet South Loop (10am-6pm)
Sunday, January 12th - Fleet Feet Deerfield (11am-4pm)
Saturday, January 18th - Fleet Feet Old Town (10am-6pm)
Sunday January 19th - Fleet Feet Old Town (11am-5pm)
Monday, January 20th - Fleet Feet Oak Park (2pm-6pm)
Friday January 24th - Fleet Feet South Loop (12pm-7pm)
The USATF certified course is mostly flat & fast along Chicago's lakefront. Each mile is marked with an F^3 feather flag. There are three aid spots on course, each of which are passed twice, offering 6 chances for water, Gatorade, or a bathrooms. Pacers will once again be provided by Fleet Feet & Chicago Endurance Sports. Pace groups typically provided are: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:30 (sweep). Out of respect for our volunteers, the course closes at 1:35pm, at a pace of 14:06 min/mile.
Wave Start: The Half Marathon start is done in waves to limit over-crowding on the course. Waves are self-seeded and start approximately every 90 seconds. Waves start fastest to slowest. Those needing more time, or worried about keeping ahead of the rolling course closure time (14:06 mi pace) should start with WAVE 1 and keep to the left for the first mile.
Indoor parking is available at Soldier Field's North Garage. Click here: Reserve Soldier Field Parking Online [https://www.soldierfieldparking.com/?doing_wp_cron=1705683191.1495358943939208984375] select F3 Half Marathon from the list (beginning in Jan '25). Show proof of purchase on your way in.
_TOTAL PRIZE PURSE OF MORE THAN $6,000!_
Prize Money:
Champion M/W: $1000
2nd M/W: $500
3rd M/W: $400
4th M/W: $300
5th M/W: $200
Masters Champion M/W: $350
Masters 2nd M/W: $250
Masters 3rd M/W: $150
***Masters "double-dip" prize money***
Races
-
Half Marathon
Incl. $7.19 Fee & Hoody
Sat 25th January 2025 (10:00AM EST)
$106.19
Winter Half Marathon on a plowed & salted path. Finisher Medals. Hoody. Splits at 5km, 10km, 10M. Prize Money to top 5 Open Women & Men. Prize Money to top 3 Masters Women & Men. Pace groups provided by CES. (1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00) Six aid stops along the route. (2.5, 3.6, 6, 8.1, 10.5, 11.6) Gather in the United Club! Post-race party at Weathermark Tavern! -
5k
Incl. $5.09 Fee & Hoody
Sat 25th January 2025 (10:30AM EST)
$69.09
Winter 5k on a plowed & salted path. Finisher Medals! Hoody! Post-race party at Weathermark Tavern! Gather in the United Club!
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16th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k