Chicago announced the marathon is opening on Feb 19th, 2013 for registration.  It appears they have raised the price to $175 next year.  What does everyone think?  Are you going to do?  Too expensive?

I'm fairly certain  I will sign up again.  This will be my 3rd Chicago ( I did 2010 and 2012).  I hate the price but love that I can stay in my own bed and take the train to the race.  It's much cheaper than traveling to another city for a marathon. 

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/registration/

It's a tough call. Milwaukee Lakefront is an appealing alternative. However, there is no race day pickup. Even if there was, you would have an extremely early drive from Chicago race morning because you have to park at the finish and take a bus to the start. So all costs considered, I think it would still cost the same as Chicago.

But, that is coming from the perspective of a "local", who can sleep in their own bed and hop on the red line for the expo and the race. When I think how much cash out-of-towners drop to run Chicago - a world marathon major - I feel like $175 isn't so bad... it's a drop in the bucket compared to what we would pay to run NYC or Boston. Of course, there are less expensive alternatives right here in the suburbs, but if you are looking for a major marathon experience that isn't the cluster-fuck of a Rock and Roll event, Chicago fits the bill.

M'in!!  Definitely some server overloading happening, but I was registered by 12:15ish.