ENLIGHTENED…
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo was held at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was a perfect location to accommodate 45k plus people for packet pick up. I had high hopes for this expo seeing how it was my biggest race to date, and it definitely did not disappoint. It was HUGE! It was an experience all by itself. I felt like a kid in a candy store and I wanted to everything in sight! lol!
Not only did it have a lot of photo op's, but a lot of gear for sale and freebies! It was also an opportunity to finally meet fellow Instagram friends who I connected with while training. I was super excited to finally meet them!
![chicago marathon expo 01](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/chicago-marathon-expo-01.jpg)
![chicago marathon expo 02](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/chicago-marathon-expo-02.jpg)
Breast Cancer awareness booth!
![chicago marathon expo 03](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/chicago-marathon-expo-03.jpg)
This is Agnes! Fellow Instagrammer @aggieruns She's very active with the Nike Training Club This was her first marathon too! :)
![chicago marathon expo 04](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/chicago-marathon-expo-04.jpg)
This is Janet (@runhealthlife) and Samantha (@samanthadabello) Also fellow Instagrammers. These ladies are so inspiring!
![chicago marathon expo 05](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/chicago-marathon-expo-05.jpg)
Another mutual IG friend, this is Auggie (@justrunchicago) the comedian of the group :)
![chicago marathon expo 06](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/chicago-marathon-expo-06.jpg)
My favorite booth was by far the Nike booth at the expo. Not only did they have cool backdrops for photos, but also awesome giveaways. They gave away iPhone covers of the route like the photo above, but also bandanas with the route map printed on them! Super cool. Thanks Nike!
I went to the expo Friday afternoon and relaxed and rested all day Saturday which was the day before the race. I highly recommend doing so if you're running a big race. You don't want to spend all day at the expo on your feet the day before!
![Running inspiration blog 2](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0291/8845/6527/products/Running-inspiration-blog-2.jpg)