Gathering before the race; the excitement is palpable

A warm-up run on the .1 mile service road that made up the first part of the course (the exciting part was still gated off until race time)

More pre-race warm-up

A view of the runway -- you'll never have the chance to get such a photo again!

Another view of the new runway; more specifically, 9L/27R

Hey, what are these PEOPLE doing on an airplane RUNWAY?

And now these people are running two directions.  Hmmmm.....

You know you're running a runway when....you can plainly see a jet plane on the ground behind you!

Altogether, about 2,000 runners.  Now THAT'S the way to kick off a new runway!

Of course the real reason to do such a race is 1) the cool t-shirt (tech fabric, even!), AND.....

2) The post-race stroll at Chicago's lakefront!

And who was the brilliant photographer behind these pics?  There he is!  You know you're a photographer when....you're willing to pause in the middle of your 5K race, just to get some good airplane pics!