Forge Trail Half Marathon - Lemont, Illinois - Running

"Great Race. No Finisher Medal"

Inaugural Forge Trail Half Marathon is truly a unique experience. With it raining most of Friday (day before race) and the entire time during race on Saturday, the trail turned a bit more technical than usual. Unlike some other Trail HM's, you actually take a course through woods, few up and More... down hills (this is Illinois, not a lot to expect anyway), Gravel/ crushed limestone that is plenty slippery, all in all provides for a very satisfactory trail running experience. Gives a 'oh so slight bit' of a hint of Western States 100 or Pikes Peak HM, right in middle of Chicagoland. Kudos to Race Director and Management to put this all together. That said, what's the real bummer? THERE IS NO FINISHER MEDAL. After running a rather tough course, in rain, with 38 F temp, windy, there is no commemorative medal to celebrate accomplishment. Race management could not come up with some small piece of metal or wood or rock and a thread/ lanyard to hang around runner's necks? Not just me, I could clearly see many runners looked disappointed and dejected when they learnt that there is no Finisher Medal. Yeah, all participants were given a full sleeve race specific cotton shirt but, with a billboard of sponsors on back. If you like going around as a walking advertisement, good for you.
Post race food is disappointing for vegetarians or people who can't take alcohol. There was Chilly and beer. And bananas (thank god!!) and granny smith apples. How about some coffee and bagels, like, you know, other HM's out there? Coffee would be great for post any race in late spring in Chicagoland. No Gatorade or other drinks offered either post race.
All in all, no doubt a great racing experience, it's already on my list of HM races for 2023. No Finisher Medal was an absolute bummer, hope the Race Management thinks long and hard about adding Finisher Medal for 2023 edition. My overall rating would change to 4 with a Finisher Medal and 5 with some inclusive post race refreshments