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October 13, 2024
Chicago, Illinois
Average: 46-64ºF (8-18ºC)
Last Year: 44-54ºF (7-13ºC)
Of all the seasons, fall racing season is the biggest payoff for the work. Suffer through summer and reap the rewards. The trio of major marathons begins on the flat and fast, record-breaking route of Berlin and ends with the hilly and raucous ramble through the five boroughs of New York City. But sandwiched in between is the sneaky best course of them all and home to the men’s marathon world record– the Chicago Marathon. As with Berlin, it’s a flat and fast course (save for Mount Roosevelt at the end). The crowds are as real as you can ask for. It’s in the middle of America, so it’s almost equally accessible for both coasts. In short, it’s the perfect major marathon.
Of course, middle October can be a bit finicky in the weather department. While the past two years have seen the race gods grant some weather wishes with temperatures ranging from 45F to 55F, we’ve all heard the horror stories of those freak days when it reaches 90 degrees (as it did in 2007). That is a rare occurrence, of course, and we all know that if you’re reading this and planning on running the race this year, then you’ll surely hit that sweet spot.
That said, you can’t do anything about the weather. But you can manage the rest of your race logistics, and that’s where we come in to help. To that end, we’ve put together our best insider’s guide to the Chicago Marathon, featuring an array of runners who have run the race at least three times. As with our London Marathon and Boston Marathon guides, this one will give you the best race weekend, pre-race, during race, and post-race tips, including what to do while you’re in Chicago, how to get around, and even where (and how) to eat.
Before you head off on your PR journey, make sure you read all of this to give it your best shot. Good luck out there, you got this!
Lessen the stress on your travel to the race
If you’ve never traveled to a major marathon (or any marathon), there’s a few key things you need to know. We covered this in our Boston Marathon Guide, but we’ll do it again here.
We’ve traveled a ton over the last few years, from London to Tokyo to Chicago to Berlin. We’ve made plenty of mistakes, but we’ve learned a lot.
The number one rule of destination races is this: DON’T LET YOUR RACE GEAR LEAVE YOUR SIDE. That means, you put your $275 race day shoes in your carry on, or around your neck, or down your pants (if that’s your thing). Whatever works, just keep them with you. We recommend putting your shoes in either a waterproof bag or something like the Nike Shoe Box bag or the Mudroom Running Backpack, just to keep them separate. Because they will smell. Oh yes, they will.
This goes for anything you need on race day– nutrition, hydration bottle, socks, singlet, etc. There is nothing worse than stressing out about your essentials the day before your big performance. It’s an unnecessary complication and it’s easily preventable.
Also, if you fly more than once a year, consider purchasing Global Entry ($100) which includes TSA Pre-Check, both of which are great, especially if you’re trying to get your six (soon to be seven) stars. It lasts for 5 years and it’s well worth the convenience factor, even it does feel like some sort of luxury tax scheme from the federal government.
Prepare properly for the days ahead
MEAGHAN: It goes without saying, but you must make it out to the official Believe in the Run shakeout run, because that’s the second-best event of the entire weekend.
We’ll be kicking things off Saturday morning (10/12) at 9 a.m. with a shakeout run alongside Endorphins Running. After the run we invite you to stay and hang with us while enjoying coffee, bagels, and breakfast treats.
Some New Balance athletes may be stopping by, there will be a DJ, shoe demos, giveaways (including 1080 Tote Bags, 1080 pins, airbrush customization trucker hats and tees), corduroy hat giveaways for the first few hundred runners, and a claw machine filled with prizes!
You can RSVP for the shakeout run here (if the RSVP is full, just show up, we’ll find a way to accommodate you).
Now, for race morning: If I have a big time goal, I like to have splits written on my arm to check-in and see how I’m doing. Within a mile your GPS watch will get weird through the city and tunnels, so it’s best to use the manual lap feature from the beginning. Or, if you’re good at math even while suffering from race brain, then just use overall times and course distances. Also, write something funny or motivational on your arm while you’re at. It can’t hurt.
MICHAEL: Best way to get to the expo is by bike share. It’s a nice way to flush out the legs if you had to fly to Chicago, and taxi/Uber traffic gets pretty gnarly around the expo. Taking the L is an option, but the walk is kinda long from the nearest L stop (especially after you’ve picked up your bib and walked around the expo hall). Consider taking the L and then finding a bike share for the fastest commute/lightest effort.
SEAN: Get a Ventra card for the weekend to take the L train. It will take you from the airport right to downtown and is an easy way to get around for the weekend so you’re not on your feet as much. If you have friends or family coming to spectate, it’s also a great way for them to pop around town to see you at different spots.
For the expo, set aside more time than you think you’ll need. McCormick Place is massive and the expo is at the far end of the building. It’s very well organized and once you’re there, packet pickup is a breeze. Just be prepared for a few more steps to get there.
If you need a fun pre-race activity that keeps you off your feet, take a Chicago architecture cruise on the river. It’s a 90-minute tour that starts and ends downtown. You learn a lot about the history of the city and it’s a fun way to stay off your feet but still feel like you’re getting to explore Chicago.
For your pre-race dinner, make reservations early! There will be 50,000 runners, plus their friends and family, and they all have the same idea to go find the nearest Italian restaurant downtown. If a place doesn’t take reservations, get there before they open for dinner to cut down on your waiting time.
WENDY: The two times I’ve flown to Chicago (O’Hare), I’ve taken the train from the airport and it is so easy and saves a lot of time. This year I’ll be flying to Midway and plan to take the train again. As a single woman traveling alone, I have zero hesitation; there will be so many runners traveling to the city, there will be plenty of people to become my best running buddies for the train ride!
The past three Chicago race weekends, I’ve taken the Architecture Society’s boat tour along the river. It is that good. This year I won’t. I may still try and grab a ticket to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (editor’s note: you should definitely do this if you get a chance). I highly recommend taking in an arts performance the night before the race. I have run NYC six times and I always see Broadway shows on the Friday and Saturday nights before the race. Sometimes I’ll see a Saturday matinee as well!
Make sure to carry around electrolytes and carbs, especially when you visit the expo, but really any time you’re not in your room. Yes, there will be samples at the expo, but they should top off your planned nutrition. The expo is fantastic, btw. You will pick up your bib and then walk to the back to get your t-shirt; I don’t love this configuration, but it all works out. There will be tons of merch and you will spend more money than you want to.
I will let you in on a secret (only because I already have my reservation): Siena Tavern. A Chicago local told me about it and my husband (who joined me last year) and I still talk about the meal. Get on OpenTable right now and may the odds ever be in your favor!
How to fuel your best for the miles ahead
MEGHANN F: With an early start for all, the Chicago Marathon makes it easy on runners to fuel pre-race. I recommend sticking to your pre-long run foods on race day, but scaling up the quantity. Aim to eat half your body weight in grams of carbs 2 to 3 hours pre-race. If you weigh 200 pounds, you need to eat 100 grams of carbs. If you weigh 150 pounds, you need to eat 75 grams of carbs. Stick to easily digestible carbohydrates like bagels, toast, banana, graham crackers, toaster pastries, etc. (These amounts assume you have fully carb loaded .)
Along with your carbs, drink 12-16 ounces of fluids. This could be your normal coffee, electrolytes, or water.
The Chicago Marathon does not allow hydration vests of any kind; however, you can carry handheld or waist-band hydration. There are also 20 water and Gatorade Endurance stations throughout the course, so you will have plenty of opportunities for fluid. Maurten is the official gel on the course this year. You can find regular and caffeine Maurten gels at miles 13.6, 18.2, and 23. You can also grab bananas at miles 19.5 and 23, although I caution this approach if you’ve never eaten bananas while running at marathon pace.
The official course guide states: “Please be aware you may be asked to empty contents of these containers <water bottles> before entering Grant Park.” However, I have never heard of them following through with this. If this makes you nervous, take an extra serving of your electrolytes with you if you need to refill in the park.
Fuel early and often. Take your first gel 10 to 15 minutes pre-race in the corral. Start fueling 20 to 30 minutes into your race and repeat as you have practiced in training. Remember: to hold marathon race pace for 26.2 miles, we cannot run out of carbohydrate availability. Fuel like a boss out there!
SEAN: Be ready for an early morning. Since you’ll need to get to the start area at least 90 minutes early, that alarm clock is probably going off sometime in the 4 a.m. time frame. Stick to whatever breakfast works best for you, but know that you’ll have plenty of time to digest it, so fuel up well. Once you’re at the race itself, continue to hydrate and bring along an extra gel or two to take before the start.
There are around 20 aid stations on the course with a variety of fueling options. There are a ton of volunteers staffing these so don’t feel like you need to hit it right away. Wait for an opening in the back half of the aid station, slide on in, get your fuel, and move back out to your position. The volunteers will be calling out what they have, so you know what to grab.
WENDY: After about 14 marathons, I got sick of having to stop and use the porta potty midrace. Somewhere I learned that if you finish hydrating and eating 2 hours before your start time, you won’t need to stop. (I am a 4:00-4:30 marathoner, who twice broke 4.) For me, it works like a charm. My start time is at 8, so I will finish eating and hydrating at 6. Plan to have everything that you need race morning in your room. Last year my hotel put out a lovely spread (shout-out to the Langham, which I’ve stayed at twice and highly recommend), but it was brought out too late for my start time. Thankfully, I had all that I needed.
If you’re picky about coffee and your hotel doesn’t have what you like, there’s time to try out products! Starbucks Via packets are great and all you need is hot water and whatever you want to add to your coffee. I’ll pick up bagels and a banana on Saturday and be ready to chow down at 5 a.m.!
Eat these
From wake-up to walk-up
MEAGHAN: I’ve raced Chicago three times. Once like a normal person, once purchasing a VIP Package and once through the ADP Program. Of all the majors (except maybe Tokyo) the pre-race logistics are some of the easiest and smoothest, in all three cases. I’ve always stayed within walking distance of the start line, which I try to do at any big race to eliminate any extra stress.
While there are thousands of people walking around to find their start corral, there are also hundreds of volunteers who are eager to help and will make sure that you get to where you’re meant to be. Always give yourself 20 minutes of extra time. But, don’t panic and just follow the signs to your start wave and corral. I promise it’s that easy.
MICHAEL: I generally plan to get to the security lines at the time it opens. It’s dark, and you have to wait a long time before the race starts. But getting through security at the earliest possible time is the least stressful way to do it. If you’re not annoyingly early or terrifyingly late. There is no happy medium.
Pro tip: Wear layers to the start. Do not toss everything especially if it’s cold. You will have lots of chances to strip down to your race gear so don’t start tossing layers until you’re at least in your corral. Make sure to stay warm all the way up to the start.
Write your mantras
Run with friends
SEAN: If you’re more than a 10-15 minute walk from the start, call an Uber/Lyft. There will be tons of them ready and waiting to take you to the start. When I last ran it, we were in our car less than 5 minutes from when we called it, and we shared the ride with another runner from our hotel. They’ll drop you right outside the gates to Grant Park and it’s a breeze. Plan on getting to the park about an hour and half to two hours before the start. It sounds like a lot of time, but it’s actually not!
There will be security checkpoints, so be sure to review the list of what you can and can’t bring into the park and give yourself extra time to get through. Every time I have done it, it has been a quick process, but it is one more step to be aware of.
Once you’re in the park, get your pre-race routine done early. Corrals close around 10-20 minutes before the start of the wave, but as it gets closer, it becomes an absolute zoo. Eliminate the stress and start heading to your corral 30-45 minutes before the start of your wave. Once you’re in the corral, find your spot and sit down to relax. When I last ran it, I had to rush to the corral and barely made it before they closed it. The roads in the corrals are wide, but it will be shoulder to shoulder by the time of the start, and you’d rather have people fill in around you.
WENDY: Everyone is different. Proximity to the start is of the utmost importance to me, so this year I booked at a hotel that is a very short walk to the park. Last year I arrived very early (I’m always embarrassingly early) and I’ll probably be early again this year. I must say, I was expecting a very long wait to get into the starting area, and there wasn’t one. Security was quick and efficient. I hung out by my start corral with a running buddy I met in Berlin and the time flew by. Porta potties were a bit of a walk from the area we were in, so maybe take note of the closest one when you settle down to wait.
What to expect in the first 10 miles
MEAGHAN: Like any big race with thousands of runners, the start line is going to be packed and so will the streets for the first several miles. I like to think of this as a blessing in disguise. You can’t go out too fast, and trust me, you can easily make up that time once the crowds break apart around mile 4-5. Your GPS watch will be borderline useless for several sections of this race, so if you’re gunning for a specific time, use the mile markers as a gauge. And don’t forget to take it all in! You’ve just started the Chicago Marathon, they’ve shut down the streets for you, and everyone is out cheering you on.
MICHAEL: Because of how GPS gets wonky when you’re in urban canyons or literally underground in the early stages of this race, I’ve gotten accustomed to only worrying about my splits every 5K. Go with the flow in the early stages. It might be fast. It might just feel fast. Go by effort.
Probably won’t be running with the lead pack
SEAN: The first few miles loops through downtown. Take it easy as the crowds will be dense. Keep in mind that because you’ll run through some tunnels and between the tall buildings, your GPS will be off. Turn off your GPS auto lap, ignore any pace readings it is giving you, and hit the lap button each mile. Once you’re further out of downtown, the GPS should become a little more accurate.
Look down at the road. See that blue line? That’s the official tangent of the course. Stick to it, and you’ll run the shortest possible distance the whole way. Back in 2022, I made a point to always stay on the tangent, only veering off for aid stations. This likely shaved at least a few minutes off my normal time.
About 5 miles in you’ll hit Lincoln Park, lined with plenty of trees and spectators. You’ll turn back towards downtown around the 8 mile mark. The crowds really start to pick up here and there aren’t as many turns. It’s a great spot to really settle into your rhythm through the race.
WENDY: It’s a very quick start. Follow your plan. I don’t have a lot to say about the course other than it’s fast, flat (other than a hill at the end, which you’ll curse even though it’s just a tiny one) and well spectated. Great crowds– I don’t remember many quiet areas, if any.
What to expect in miles 10-20
MICHAEL: Miles 12 and 18/19 tend to be on the quiet side, but they are each followed up by some of the best parts of the race. The quiet miles are great times to check in with yourself and make sure you’re in a good rhythm. But after Mile 12, you’ll soon be back downtown with its several-rows-deep crowds. And after Mile 18/19, you’ll be in Pilsen where some of the most intense fans on the course will post up.
The most important thing to remember though is that people tend to mess up their race plans right after these fan-favorite sections. It’s very easy to run a few miles a bit too fast after all that excitement. I’ve seen it. I’ve done it. You don’t have to repeat my mistakes.
SEAN: The next section takes you back through the heart of downtown. Many spectators stay in this area because if you time it right, you can see your runner a few times while only having to walk a few blocks. The crowds in this section will be LOUD. Embrace it and use it to keep you moving. If you thrive on crowd noise or need a boost, run along the edge of the road and really soak it in. You’ll feel like an elite athlete with how loud they cheer for you.
Mile 15 is the charity block party. This is hands down one of the loudest sections of the course. This is where all the charity partners for the race set up their tents to cheer on all the runners. Much like the Scream Tunnel in Boston, you’ll hear it before you see it. While there aren’t many quiet sections on the course, this is probably the last truly loud section before you get back closer to the finish, so enjoy every moment of it.
Miles 14-17 is a long loop (not out and back, but within a block or so) and then you head south until you pass mile 20. There are about six turns within a few miles here, so be mindful. In 2016, I was on pace until this section when my hamstring seized around one of the turns. Try not to make any sharp turns here as your legs will probably start getting tired here.
Hands up for the camera
What to expect the last 10K
MICHAEL: This part of the course is pretty tough. You have to run away from the finish line before you start running back to it. If it’s a hot day, you’ll feel it the most down here. People tend to hit the wall before the 20-mile mark in Chicago, so some of the boulevards are strewn with bonked runners. Keep it together. Hold on for dear life. If you were hoping to try Malort while you were visiting Chicago, and if you totally bonked and gave up all your time goals by this point, then the last section before you hit the South Loop is your best chance to find it on the course.
SEAN: Since the start of the last 10K is one of the furthest parts of the course from the start/finish, it’s also one of the rare times that the crowds will be a little thinner. Use this time to check in with yourself. How’s your breathing? Are those shoulders and arms relaxed? No? Shake ‘em out a bit! It won’t be long before the crowds get bigger and louder, so take the time to reset and get ready for the final push.
Around mile 22, you’ll get to an out and back section of the race. You’ll see runners ahead of you on the other side of the road. You have a little less than a mile before you turn around, so stay focused on your race. If you’re not focused on running the tangents, hang to the right side of the road to avoid watching the runners on the other side of the street.
Miles 24-26 is a straight shot down Michigan Avenue. With every step, the crowds get thicker and louder. If you want that extra boost, hang to the right to run along the crowds. At the end you’ll have a right turn anyway, so you might as well stick to that side of the road.
You’ll turn right and hit the only hill of the course. It’s short, not even a quarter mile, and on any other run you might not even notice it but today, it’ll feel like a mountain. This section is known as “Mount Roosevelt” because you’re running on Roosevelt Rd and it really does feel like a mountain. Put your head down, focus on good form, because once you reach the top, you turn left and as you look up, you’ll be greeted by a smooth downhill to the finish line!
The finish line
How your people can see you on race day
MEAGHAN: A few years ago we did a project with Under Armour following Jordan Tropf around as he ran 3 marathons in 3 days, with an average time of sub-2:30. It was the Covid year when races aligned and Baltimore, Chicago, and Boston all happened on the same weekend, Saturday through Monday. Of those races, Chicago was the most fun/easiest to spectate.
We had grand plans of renting bikes but ended up just hoofing it by foot. We were able to catch him (running 5:40 miles) about five times throughout the course. It would be even easier to catch a runner with a slower pace per mile (nearly everyone?) as long as you have a plan. Study the map, some streets will be closed off and marked. Decide where you want to see your runner and stick to that plan.
MICHAEL: If your friends/family/parents aren’t the most mobile, I’d recommend staying downtown and bouncing between the west side of mile 2 and then the east side of mile 13. You’d see your runner twice with plenty of time to traverse a few blocks. (Get there early to ensure good viewing.) And then after seeing your runner at the halfway mark, you’ll have plenty of time to get to the family meet up spot, after the race is over.
If your group can handle stairs well and walk a couple miles, you might be able to see your runner at mile 1, 3, and 13. Use the riverwalk to get under and across the course. And then you can bounce over to mile 26 or even mile 25 to see your runner near the finish. You won’t be able to see your runner cross the actual finish line anyway (unless you have grandstand tickets), and it will take your runner a long while to get through the post-finish chutes. Even if you have to walk back after seeing your runner at mile 25 or even mile 24, you won’t be all that delayed in reuniting. (It could be a lot of walking though for some of your group, so keep that in mind.)
SEAN: To get the best bang for your buck, stick to downtown. The course has plenty of early turns in a short area, so you could see your runner a few times while only having to walk a few blocks. If you do need to cross the course, be mindful of the runners and only cross when there is a large gap. Only cross in areas where there are no course barriers.
If you want to see your runner in other places, take the L train. Due to street closures there will be extra detours and traffic. One or two days before, look at the map with your runner and plan where you’ll be and how you’ll get there. If taking the L train, do a trial run so you know
how long it’ll take.
WENDY: My best friend came with me in 2002, my older daughter in 2015 and my husband in 2023. All three tried to find me on the course. No one succeeded. My best friend went all around the city by train with a group of spectators, enjoyed drinks and laughs. My daughter and husband went outside the hotel (the race went by our hotel twice) and returned to the room, frustrated that they couldn’t find me. They still enjoyed cheering for the people they did see. The moral of the story is: let your spectators have a back-up plan that involves taking in the best of Chicago and a few adult beverages and then they can celebrate with you after the race!
MEAGHAN: As with all marathon majors, be sure to check out all the pop-ups from the various brands, but the only can’t-miss one is Tracksmith. Visit the store after the race or on Monday morning and get a free, customized race poster with your finishing time stamped on the front. You can sign up here, quantities are limited. You can also pick up some great Chicago souvenirs at the shop, which will feature one-off apparel items.
MICHAEL: The best beef is at Al’s, but real ones eat Pizza Puffs.
Make sure you hydrate before and after
SEAN: In the hours after the race, walk as much as you can. Walk back to your hotel, walk to get lunch, keep moving. Your legs will recover quicker for the rest of the week and you’ll feel less stiff. And it’s fun walking around the city with your medal, limping along with tens of thousands of other runners. And get yourself some deep dish pizza. You earned it.
There are stores downtown the day after the marathon offering medal engraving or screen printing of merchandise. I skipped the medal engraving at Nike due to the line, so I popped over to the Under Armour store and got a quarter zip jacket with some designs to choose from for screen printing. It’s a fun way to commemorate your race.
WENDY: If this is your first big city marathon, you’ve picked a great one. I’m just going to advise you to go out slower than you want. Whether you’re trying to BQ, PR/PB (as we say in Canada) or finish with a smile, you won’t regret holding back a bit at the start. The beginning of Chicago feels so easy and fantastic but remember, you have a long race ahead of you and you want to be smiling at the end for that finish line photo! Good luck!
Meaghan Murray signed up for her first marathon three weeks before the race, because it was $10 more than the half she planned to run. Now a USATF & UESCA certified run coach, she loves encouraging friends to go for big goals as she continues to chase faster times. She enjoys a hot cup of coffee, a cold martini, and making bagels for friends and family.
Michael Ko (aka Kofuzi) is just a dude who runs a lot. He’s run Chicago six times and lived along the course for over a decade. You can watch his shoe review and Runner’s Weekend videos (including this one of the 2023 Chicago Marathon) on his YouTube channel.
Sean Cirovski ran his first marathon while he was a freshman at the University of Oregon in 2010. Since then, he’s finished 22 marathons, including Chicago in 2014, 2016 and 2022, New York in 2013 and Boston in 2017 (2018 as well, but dropped out at Heartbreak with hypothermia). He’s currently living outside Baltimore but moving back to Eugene in early 2025.
Meghann Featherstun is a registered sports dietician and founder of Featherstone Nutrition, providing expert fueling strategies for runners everywhere. She’s also the co-host of Fuel for the Sole, the number one running nutrition podcast in America, produced by Believe in the Run.
Wendy Myers is a retired stay at home mom (statistician by training), running her fourth Chicago this year and 26th marathon since 2002. She quit smoking and started running (the same day) while in grad school when I saw the “Just Do It” sign in the window of the Nike store in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Dual US/Canadian; Jersey born and raised, Canadian by choice.
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