F3 Lake Half Marathon
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Event overview
The 17th Annual F3 Lake Half Marathon & 5k takes place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL (1410 Special Olympics Drive). The event includes these distances:
- Half Marathon
- 5 km
Both courses are USATF certified (Half Marathon: IL18061NM; 5 km: IL18060NM). Registrants receive event merchandise including a hooded sweatshirt and a finisher medal. Gear check is available in the United Club at Soldier Field.
Course and logistics
The course runs along Chicago's lakefront and is described as mostly flat. Mile markers are placed each mile and split times are provided every 5 km. The field plans to staff three aid stations that are passed twice, offering water, energy drink, gel at one location, and portable toilets at each station; the aid station plan is tentative. Official pace groups are provided with target finish times such as 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, and 3:00.
Packet pickup is scheduled at multiple Fleet Feet store locations on dates in January (tentative). Indoor parking is available at Soldier Field North Garage; participants are asked to reserve and show proof of purchase. Post-race photos are provided and there is an after-race gathering at Weathermark Tavern. Prize money is offered, with the open champion awards listed from $1,000 for first place down to $200 for fifth, plus masters prizes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.