Race Recap: March Insanity Half Marathon

I truthfully can’t keep in mind the final time in my grownup life that I didn’t toe the road of the March Insanity Half Marathon in Cary, IL. It gives fairly actually all the things you may consider. Having run the 2022 race, right here’s what I feel stands out:

1. You’ve gotten a 50/50 shot at having essentially the most beautiful climate. The center of March within the Chicagoland space can most undoubtedly supply a blanket of snow on the bottom. However this yr athletes have been welcomed with temps within the mid 30’s on the beginning line, not a lick of wind, and a plethora of sunshine. And by the point you completed the race, the temps have been properly into the higher 40’s. If that doesn’t scream “working climate” I don’t know what else does.
2. The terrain is nothing to shake a stick at, particularly within the Midwest. The course gives a wide range of somewhat aggressive hills, wonderful downhill sections, and a few fairly gnarly flats as properly. The primary 2+ miles take you very regularly downhill. It’s fairly straightforward to get carried away to start with, contemplating the adrenaline is pumping and also you’re absorbing the wonderful working climate. However the hills come to greet you at mile 5, they usually by no means actually cease till the end line. Names like “Sneaky Hill” and “Lung Buster Hill” are posted on the backside of the revered hills and their names ring true.
3. Should you’re coaching to run the Boston Marathon in April, this race is a superb tune up for the hills of the Boston. Athletes from all around the Chicagoland space use this race as a checkpoint to see the place their health stands as they put together to run Boston. I imply, “10 Mile Hill” may fairly actually be the ugly step sister to Heartbreak Hill. Am I proper?
4. A tremendous race director and volunteers. The occasion is placed on by The Hillstriders Working Membership and every yr they fully blow my thoughts. Packet pickup is a breeze, the beginning and end line are by no means chaotic and are at all times correctly managed. Assist stations are by no means missing and have the perfect volunteers. And having run this race yr after yr, I’ve grown to know all of the faces that work the occasion yearly. And at this level, I can’t think about what it will be wish to race and never see the identical faces at each acquainted nook.