Per Rock ‘n’ Roll COVID-19 update: “With the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, and based on the mandate from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon, originally scheduled for July 18-19 …
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Per Rock ‘n’ Roll COVID-19 update: “With the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, and based on the mandate from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon, originally scheduled for July 18-19 cannot take place in 2020 and will not return in 2021. Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series officials are working to determine options for possible future Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events in the region.”
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You don’t want to miss the coolest summer run in the Series! Get on board for a fast, flat, scenic course, winding through Downtown Chicago and along the waterfront. Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago is the birthplace of our Remix Challenge – known for its contrast of a downtown city course, its beautiful lakefront views and diverse Chicago culture visible at every turn.
Get ready for some magnificent miles on this winning course!
You’ll start downtown, run through the Loop, cross the Chicago River, past the Theater District and Willis Tower before continuing along the Magnificent Mile. Then, you’ll turn onto the beautiful lakefront and run by Soldier Field before returning to Grant Park to cross the Finish Line into one rockin’ festival!
Participant Perks
- Scenic Course
- Live, Local Bands on Course
- Spirited Cheer Squads on Course
- Technical Participant T-Shirt
- Exclusive Finisher Medal
- Gear Bag
- Plentiful Course Support
- A Beer at the Finish Line Festival
- Admission to the Finish Line Festival and Post-Race Concert
- Admission to the Two-Day Health and Fitness Expo
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series makes running fun. Each year, more athletes participate in Rock ‘n’ Roll running events than any other running series in the United States.
What started as a simple idea in 1998 – a marathon with bands along the course celebrating each participant – soon transformed the running landscape igniting the second running boom.
While entertainment and the energy of a festival weekend define the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series experience, the fact that runners have raised more than $310 million for participating charities shows our heart and soul.
Event weekends include a world-class Health & Fitness Expo and culminate with finish line concert featuring the biggest names in music, with past performers including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Pitbull, Goo Goo Dolls, All-American Rejects, Flo-Rida, Train and Lady Antebellum.
In 2014, the Remix Challenge was born, and runners can now earn extra bling by completing two days of running in 11 cities. Runners who participate in multiple cities each year can also qualify for Heavy Medal awards, Limited Edition medals and a coveted spot in our Hall of Fame.
Whether you’re running your 10th marathon, third half marathon, first 5K or supporting a runner who has overcome the odds, we bring the best of the active lifestyle experience to a 100,000 sq ft trade show, superb course execution, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Hot race
I will never rate a race lower because of weather. However, this was HOT. I saw several people receiving chest compressions due to heat-related illness. If that doesn’t get you … MORE
I will never rate a race lower because of weather. However, this was HOT. I saw several people receiving chest compressions due to heat-related illness. If that doesn’t get you to slow your pace down nothing will. I love this race and it’s a great weekend get away. It’s a shame this was the last year RNR put this race on. The crowd support is amazing. It truly is like a mini Chicago marathon. The swag is typical RNR shirt and medal. Not bad but nothing to write home about. I wish this race were still in production.
Good race
This race is good but it can be expensive. The swag you get isn't the greatest but the race production is excellent. I ran in 2018 and 2019. I didn't … MORE
This race is good but it can be expensive. The swag you get isn’t the greatest but the race production is excellent. I ran in 2018 and 2019. I didn’t see as many bands this year as last. The shirt was kind of ugly but I loved the medal based on the same concept. It’s a good first timers half, but it can get really hot. It is July in Chicago.
very enjoy in the race
usually in very warm weather, please keep yourself hydrated!...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... MORE
usually in very warm weather, please keep yourself hydrated!………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tawdry medal!
Rock’n Roll Marathons are famous for the medals, but the medal I got at Chicago Half is the ugliest medal I’ve ever received! The T-Shirt as well.... the race is … MORE
Rock’n Roll Marathons are famous for the medals, but the medal I got at Chicago Half is the ugliest medal I’ve ever received! The T-Shirt as well…. the race is nice, but nothing special to talk about. A flat course with a scenic first half through downtown and a boring second half without any atmosphere! All in all a good race to run if you’re in town, but definitely not a race that’s good enough to travel for!
Humidity
This years race was so humid it made it interesting. Thanks to rock and roll for adding a few more water stations. Most had enough volunteers, others only had a … MORE
This years race was so humid it made it interesting. Thanks to rock and roll for adding a few more water stations. Most had enough volunteers, others only had a few volunteers. 5k was cancelled due to heat, I appreciate rock n roll for taking safety first. They also had a modified half for anyone that couldn’t do the full half. The medal and shirt are good. The course was nice and flat.
Fun!
Loved the music. It was cold and wet and windy, so I just wanted to be done. Race shirts run small. GPS trackers don't work in the city. Some of … MORE
Loved the music. It was cold and wet and windy, so I just wanted to be done. Race shirts run small. GPS trackers don’t work in the city. Some of the swag was weird (stool softener samples before a race?!?) but medals were cool. I ran the 5k the day prior.
Through the city! Neat
Running through the city of Chicago is pretty neat, and we were lucky that the crazy heat wave broke the night before. Watch out for the first three miles or … MORE
Running through the city of Chicago is pretty neat, and we were lucky that the crazy heat wave broke the night before.
Watch out for the first three miles or so of this race as the buildings/concrete/etc will mess with your tracking on your watch.
Expo was crappy, vendors were generally annoyed to be there and not helpful.
CHI-KAH-GOOO!!
Great expo, lots of swag, a lot of touristy opportunities, eat all the food, the race course was good, but it was humid! There were parts where we ran on … MORE
Great expo, lots of swag, a lot of touristy opportunities, eat all the food, the race course was good, but it was humid! There were parts where we ran on the bridges and that was a little unnerving because you could feel slight movement from all the runners. Overall, a memorable race in a wonderful city!
Always love chicago
The 5k before the half is always good to get acclimated to the area. We ran along the waterfront and it was very enjoyable. The weather was very nice and … MORE
The 5k before the half is always good to get acclimated to the area. We ran along the waterfront and it was very enjoyable. The weather was very nice and there were a lot of boats to look at while running.
A mile longer according to my watch
Running in Chicago is always great. The weather was good, the scenery was fantastic. It was a mile long according to my watch, most races end up being a little … MORE
Running in Chicago is always great. The weather was good, the scenery was fantastic. It was a mile long according to my watch, most races end up being a little long, but not a full mile….. still worth the trip and the food.
Awesome City Race
I was a little hesitant about corporate races like this but you know I had a ton of fun. The course was nicely laid out and got to see a … MORE
I was a little hesitant about corporate races like this but you know I had a ton of fun. The course was nicely laid out and got to see a lot of the city. Some races state that they are in the city but in reality are on the outskirts. I was impressed with the course entertainment and the course support. One thing I really liked are the amounts of port of potties around thus helping with some lines. I really enjoyed the wave start to be able to give people room to get a good stride going. The medal was nice but it was way too small for a half marathon. I do like the design. I would do this again if I lived closer.
Midsummer fun in Chicago
There aren't too many summer races (for good reasons), but this is one you should check out. I like races in Chicago - the area is relatively flat and the … MORE
There aren’t too many summer races (for good reasons), but this is one you should check out. I like races in Chicago – the area is relatively flat and the people are great. The weather is always a crap shoot. I found this year (2017) to be pleasant enough for a July race, but days before (and the days ahead) were going to be close to 90, which would have been brutal.
Rock N Roll, in my opinion, excels at the half marathon (they aren’t so great with the fulls). There is a decent size expo, nice shirts and medals. I do think, however, that they are under-delivering on their whole promise of course entertainment. I’m noticing less and less bands along the route. Doesn’t bother me so much, but I have noticed a change.
I did the 5k on Saturday and then the half on Sunday in order to get the “Remix Challenge” extra medal.
It’s never as cheap to fly to Chicago as you think (since when you DON’T want to go to Chicago, you get a layover there, but when you actually WANT to go there, the flights are expensive). There are plenty of hotel options – don’t be limited to just the hotels RnR recommends. Plenty of things to do while you are there, great places to eat. It’s an enjoyable weekend.
Running in Chicago is Awesome
This was a great race through the heart of Chicago. It was really well organized, as all Rock n' Roll events are, and the course was relatively easy. The weather … MORE
This was a great race through the heart of Chicago. It was really well organized, as all Rock n’ Roll events are, and the course was relatively easy. The weather is a bit tricky, and it poured on us for about two miles, so course support got less and less as it went on. It can also be very humid. But I had a really good time at this one. Just be sure to check the distance from your hotel to the start line. I walked over a mile to the start, so lots of walking on race day.
Best Expo, better than average race
Very nice course, not too tough. We had perfect weather to start, very hard rain at end. You do run underground for a bit, don't count on trackers to be … MORE
Very nice course, not too tough. We had perfect weather to start, very hard rain at end. You do run underground for a bit, don’t count on trackers to be accurate. The music sucked, but all else was well done. If you are coming from out of town, go ahead and do the 5k the day before too.
Continues to lose its luster
The RNR race series is known for a polished, tried-and-true organization that yields the respectable race experience that everyone has come to expect. However, with their typically high race fees, … MORE
The RNR race series is known for a polished, tried-and-true organization that yields the respectable race experience that everyone has come to expect. However, with their typically high race fees, runners eventually expect something extra, an additional X factor that sets the organization apart from its peers. It used to be a singular focus on music, or at least using the musical theme in creative ways.
But in 2016, I’m running out of praise. This year’s race, while a perfectly acceptable race in its most base terms, has lost most of what made the RNR brand so popular in the first place. Not only was there a huge lack of actual rock & roll, but the fun innovations of years past (strobe lights in the McCormick Tunnel, coordinated speakers playing the same song for a motivational 1/2 mile stretch) were nowhere to be found.
With the twelve other half marathons that Chicago offers, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify paying $100-150 for a running experience that offers nothing above what is expected. I worry about the race’s future. There are fewer finishers every year and the trend seems to point toward cutting services or lowering costs. I hope they can start the turnaround in 2017.
Nice Course
I enjoyed this race and would do it again. The Expo was huge. I was a pretty big race. The course was flat and ran through the downtown area and … MORE
I enjoyed this race and would do it again. The Expo was huge. I was a pretty big race. The course was flat and ran through the downtown area and a few close residential areas. I remember it being hot and volunteer passing out ice cold sponges. There was great crowd support. Lots of aid stations and port o potties. I felt it was a very well organized race.
Great race!
I know they don't do this race in Chicago anymore, but I had a ton of fun running it as my first half-marathon in 2015! The course was flat, the … MORE
I know they don’t do this race in Chicago anymore, but I had a ton of fun running it as my first half-marathon in 2015! The course was flat, the music was great, and Andy Grammer was at the end performing. Perfect! It was hot but I was just happy to finish. The swag was good but nothing special.
Hot and Humid
There was very little course entertainment, the race temperature was ridiculously hot and humid and the aid station were a disaster. This is one race I would not recommend and … MORE
There was very little course entertainment, the race temperature was ridiculously hot and humid and the aid station were a disaster. This is one race I would not recommend and my least favorite of my 40+ half marathons.
The medal, shirt and expo were all awesome. The actual race was subpar and could have been so much better.
Good event, poor personal performance
This review may seem contradictory. I really liked the event. First of all, the location, Chicago, is awesome. There is so much to do here. Now to this specific event: … MORE
This review may seem contradictory. I really liked the event. First of all, the location, Chicago, is awesome. There is so much to do here.
Now to this specific event: I liked the location of the expo and the course. Despite Chicago being a big city, they did a good job at keeping everything fairly close. A simple cab/uber ride and you’re there.
The event itself was great. The heat & humidity; however, was terrible. It ate me alive. I struggled from Mile 3 on. I was seriously ready to give up at Mile 8. I fought through it and finished, but I felt so beaten down at the end. I have to give props to RnR though. They did a fantastic job with course support with water, ice, cold sponges, cold towels, misters, etc. I cannot fault them for the weather, except maybe not have an event in Chicago in July.
The year I participated, I did not like the shirt or the medal. Both were pretty plain, but since these change every year, don’t let that influence your decision. I’ve seen other years and both the shirt & medal were very cool.
fun race, hot and steamy
Rock and Roll races are fun for the bling and the production. I thought there would be more actual real bands when I signed up, so I was disappointed it … MORE
Rock and Roll races are fun for the bling and the production. I thought there would be more actual real bands when I signed up, so I was disappointed it wasn’t that obvious. Super hot, they opened some hydrants for people. I was disappointed that they had run out of gatorade and water for the BOTP people, especially in that weather.