Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Giveaway: Chicago 13.1 Marathon Registration

Now that I've had a couple of days to recover from this past weekend's steambath half marathon, I am excited to put my running shoes back on!  (We only remember the good things, right?)

In normal years, the temperatures in Chicago are absolutely glorious in May, June, and September.  These months are among the best times to come visit Chicago and to see all of the vibrant diversity that the city has to offer.  (Did I mention the great deep dish pizza?) 

And... what better way to experience Chicago than to run 13.1 miles in June along its gorgeous lakefront and through some of its most historical neighborhoods?!?


Allstate Life Insurance Chicago 13.1 Marathon is giving away a FREE half marathon registration to one lucky reader!

RACE DETAILS
Date: Saturday, June 9, 2012
Time: 7:13 AM CST
Start and Finish Location: Chicago South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. Shore Drive)
Course: Download a map here

By the way - the South Shore Cultural Center is where Barack Obama and Michelle Obama held their wedding reception in 1992!  It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a Chicago Landmark.


Other course highlights, besides of course the stunning lakefront and skyline views, is that it runs through Jackson Park, home of the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, and passes the Museum of Science & Industry, the only original building remaining from the 1893 Columbian Exposition.  The course is walker-friendly, too, so you don't even have to be a hard-core runner to participate.  The only thing missing is deep dish pizza.

Oh, but wait!  In previous years they even served Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza at the post-race party!  How's that for a great Chicago experience?  Here's hoping (and praying!) that they have pizza again this year!!!

Come see this view of my hometown in person!
If you are interested in winning this awesome opportunity, please leave a comment and tell me either 1) something you've always wanted to see or do in Chicago, and/or 2) something fun you have planned for this summer!

The giveaway is open through Friday, March 23 and all readers are welcome to enter.  I will use random.org to select the winner and I will announce the winner over the weekend!

16 comments:

  1. I'm going to Disney World in September. does that count???

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  2. I am traveling to Austrailia & NZ!

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  3. Even though I am from Chicago, there are still so many things to do! I have always wanted to do one of the Chicago Hauntings tours- especially the Devil in the White city tour which is based off of the book.
    Thank for putting this together Emily!

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  4. it's so tempting!!! I'd love to run it, just not sure I can swing the travel plans. very cool they donated an entry for your blog though :) How did you make that happen? Did they approach you or vice versa?

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  5. Yo E, I could sure use that free race. You running Chicago this year?

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  6. I'm hoping to win free entry to the Chicago 13.1 Marathon this summer.

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  7. I'd love to win cuz I love Chicago South Shore Cultural Center AND Lou Malnati's pizza! Something fun I have planned for the summer is day-trips! From Atlanta there are a lot of those...Lake Lanier, Savannah, the GA mountains, etc that I'm psyched to have a reason not to miss Chicago so much...

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  8. Fun giveaway! I would love this because I am trying to qualify for a corral in the Chicago marathon this year. I might need a *few* chances this summer to hit that 1:50 half marathon qualifying time. :)

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  9. Actually looking to do TWO 1/2 MARATHONS and one 10-miler this Summer. Definitely open to adding more races, especially when they are FREE and come with PIZZA!

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  10. Even though I've lived in Chicago my whole life, I've never really done the tourist thing, so I would love to tour the city like a tourist: See the Sears Tower (I refuse to call it Willis!), Take an architecture boat tour, hang out at the bean, etc!

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  11. I love Chicago! My bestie from college just moved there! I have only been there once and had a blast. I would LOVE to run the Chicago 1/2 marathon this summer. It would be a great way to get back to that city!!!!!

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  12. Wow! I was only in Chicago once for a work thing for about 10 hours - this would be an amazing opportunity to get to see this awesome city!

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  13. I want to see my daughter who lives in CHicago and eat some of the delicious food there.

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  14. I have never been to Chicago and would love to go see the windy city! Also, it just so happens I have been looking for a half to PR at right around that time!!

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  15. I'm actually really excited to train for my first marathon this summer and of course seeing more of my friends get married!

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  16. Oh, fun! I'd love to run this one! Hmm, something fun, we're planning to go to PA to see family for a few weeks in August to escape the TX heat, and then leave our daughter with grandparents a few days for an anniversary getaway, yay!

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