A heads-up to Chicago area runners: the 2013 Shamrock Shuffle 8K registration opens on  December 3 this year, not on January 1 as in past years.  As one of the most popular Chicago races of the year, the Shuffle tends to fill up in a matter of weeks, so sign-up early if you plan to run.

Official site: www.shamrockshuffle.com

For those not familiar with the Shamrock Shuffle, it's a massive 8k race that kicks off the Spring running season in Chicago.  The 2013 race will be held on April 7.  Last year's field was 40,000 runners, just 5000 less than the Chicago Marathon.  Also, the Shuffle is managed by the same people who stage the Chicago Marathon, has many of the same sponsors, and the start/finish areas are the same as the marathon.  Some parts of the course are the same streets as the marathon too.

Anyone planning to run their first Chicago Marathon in October might find that the Shuffle can be a good, early "dress rehearsal" to get to know the parking, public transportation, start/finish areas, and general crowd feel of the marathon.  At $45, its pretty expensive for an 8K, but such is life in the big city....