Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. Since its inaugural running in 1977, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has developed a global reputation for its fast, record-setting course. Year after year the Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts representatives …
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Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. Since its inaugural running in 1977, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has developed a global reputation for its fast, record-setting course. Year after year the Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts representatives from more than 100 countries and all 50 of the United States to compete on this world stage to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Grant Park.
As the second largest member of the World Marathon Major series, Chicago has several compelling factors in its favor. The first is its fast, flat course which takes runners on a scenic tour of the city’s ethnically diverse neighborhoods. The second is its Midwestern hospitality, on full display with jovial strangers congratulating you for hours after the race. And the third is its sensible acceptance rate, which rivals Berlin as the highest among the World Marathon Majors at > 50% for the 2015 event. From its wide streets featuring ample elbow room to its finish in Grant Park, Chicago offers everything you could want in a big-city race.
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Very flat course
When it's warm in Chicago the back half of the race can be tough because it's hard to find shade to run in. I felt like this would have been … MORE
When it’s warm in Chicago the back half of the race can be tough because it’s hard to find shade to run in. I felt like this would have been easier if it had looped in the reverse direction. Also, I vaguely remember a slight hill as you turn into Grant Park to finish. I commented to the guy there that that was a mean trick to pull!
Great big city marathon
I can’t share enough good things about the marathon! I’ve done it 6 times, and I can’t wait for more! Packet pickup is great with shuttles from downtown to McCormick … MORE
I can’t share enough good things about the marathon! I’ve done it 6 times, and I can’t wait for more!
Packet pickup is great with shuttles from downtown to McCormick Center. There are tons of vendors at the expo, and the race shirt is generally a well designed shirt by Nike. There’s also lots of additional Nike race apparel for purchase.
The start is logistically friendly and very walkable from downtown hotels (just plan to pay a good amount for the hotel room), and the finish is close to the start, so an easy walk back to your hotel.
There are great crowds along the course, and there’s never a section where you don’t have crowd support! The first half is the more scenic part of the course, but you have a great last 3 miles running back downtown with the crowds really picking up as you get closer. There’s a tiny little incline at the end, which feels sizable since it’s in the last 0.2 miles of the race!
Sweet Home Chicago
Great flat beautiful course. A great way to see the City with great fan support throughout the race...even for the chuggers at the end like me. Plan to do it … MORE
Great flat beautiful course. A great way to see the City with great fan support throughout the race…even for the chuggers at the end like me. Plan to do it again this year if we ever get through this COVID crap.
huge race
This was my first World Marathon Major and first huge race. It was a completely different experience for me compared to the most smaller races i run with a few … MORE
This was my first World Marathon Major and first huge race. It was a completely different experience for me compared to the most smaller races i run with a few thousand at most. It was also my first time going to Chicago which shaped the experience. The expo was enormous but easy to follow and get what was needed. It was nice that they provided buses to and from the expo. The only thing is that leaving the expo there was a huge line and needed to wait for the bus for like 10-15 mins. I stayed at a hotel that was really close to the start line which was great as i had a nice easy walk, although it was expensive (like everything else in Chicago).The day of the race i had to get up really early to get to the starting line and started to see just how large the race was. There was security lines you had to wait in which went quick but was a pain and much different than other races i have been to (other than the Air Force Marathon which had metal detectors mainly because its on an active military installation) I got a little lost trying to find my way to the start corral. When the race started i immediately saw how large the race truly was. There were people everyone both people running and cheering. The aid stations were enormous and frequent. I started near the front of the pack in Corral C, and at the aid stations there was already cups everywhere and the road was so sticky from all the gatorade spilling from the cups and people dumping the bit remaining on the ground. I was disgusted as i had never experienced this before. The finish was great although very long and crowded. I got out of the way of everyone as soon as i could , relaxed for a few mins then went back to my hotel. Overall the race was not for me. I felt out of place in the humongous city and during the race. It was much to large for me to enjoy it. Would i run it again probably not, but it was a great experience. I will stick to more local and smaller races with less than 10,000 people and not go to races with 40,000+ people.
Majorly Awesome!
weet race Chicago! This race was my first attempt at a world major, and it was an amazing experience. While very crowded, as one would expect with 45,000+ runners, race … MORE
weet race Chicago! This race was my first attempt at a world major, and it was an amazing experience. While very crowded, as one would expect with 45,000+ runners, race day seemed to run smoothly. There was a wait for things like security checks or toilets, but it wasn’t too bad. Perhaps the hardest part was standing in the corral, inching forward to the start line as the waves started — but that’s still part of the experience with such a huge race.
Once runners passed the start line, we were seldom alone again. The streets were absolutely packed for much of the 26.2 miles, so there was always someone around to chat or pace with. I read the city was expecting 1.7 million spectators, and while I didn’t exactly conduct a headcount, I wouldn’t be surprised if the crowd came up to or exceeded that number. With so much positive energy, volunteers, DJs/bands, and more along the course, the Chicago Marathon was a blast. I hope to be able to run it again in the future.
Similar to the start, the finish area was crowded with runners and volunteers looking to help them. In short order, runners received their medals, a heatsheet blanket, a beer, and a bag of snack food. I did not attend the post-race party in Grant Park due to the deteriorating weather (cooling off/drizzle) and making other arrangements, but it seemed like a great scene from what I heard.
I cannot speak to parking or race transportation. I stayed in a hotel not far from the festivities and walked. I’ve heard some hotels had shuttles available, but I don’t know firsthand.
* Soak in the atmosphere. There was so much energy on the streets. It was amazing.
* Allow yourself time for the race activities. The expo was packed starting at the entrance with security checks.
* Grab a poster at the expo (at the entrance this year). It’s a great memory, and many people overlooked them or didn’t know they were there.
* If possible, stay in town for a few days before or after the race to explore. * Plan for all of the weather. Race day was almost perfect. It was cool and a bit windy (ha!; Windy City), but I also got a solid sunburn before the clouds came back. It’s been hot and/or rainy in the past.
My favorite race!
Everything about the Chicago marathon is fantastic! Very well organized. This is a huge marathon, but doesn’t feel that way. Logistics are easy, roads are wide so don’t feel crowded … MORE
Everything about the Chicago marathon is fantastic! Very well organized. This is a huge marathon, but doesn’t feel that way. Logistics are easy, roads are wide so don’t feel crowded and park finish is easy. Great city, huge support and flat course. By far my favorite race.
First Major
Being it is my first major, it is unlike any race I have experienced. Amazing build up, race production, and post-race celebration. The expo is huge; I could have spent … MORE
Being it is my first major, it is unlike any race I have experienced. Amazing build up, race production, and post-race celebration. The expo is huge; I could have spent days there with all of the guests, panels, exhibitors, and swag!
The Marathon to run
Awsome atmosphere all weekend. Tremendous crowd support. Easily my favorite time spent running. Every marathoner needs to run this race. Being in a field of 45,000 makes you feel like … MORE
Awsome atmosphere all weekend. Tremendous crowd support. Easily my favorite time spent running. Every marathoner needs to run this race. Being in a field of 45,000 makes you feel like you are part of something special. Give yourself plenty of time in the morning!
Awesome race
The course was nice and flat, really only one hill at the end. Nice swag, I loved the medal and race shirt. The aid stations came at good times and … MORE
The course was nice and flat, really only one hill at the end. Nice swag, I loved the medal and race shirt. The aid stations came at good times and they were all prepared for the amount of racers running through. Most of the course had tons of spectators cheering you on. The race had perfect weather. Start corals were good, being a slow runner, being in the last wave, it did take awhile to start but that didn’t bother me.
First major marathon
Great atmosphere. Production did an outstanding job managing over 45,000 runners. It was somewhat frustrating on the time difference from Wave 2 to 3, over 30 minutes, but I guess … MORE
Great atmosphere. Production did an outstanding job managing over 45,000 runners. It was somewhat frustrating on the time difference from Wave 2 to 3, over 30 minutes, but I guess there is nothing much to do.
Lots of water & gatorade stops, almost every mile.
Great Second Marathon
This was my first time running Chicago and my second marathon. My experience was much like everyone else but thought a couple of things were worth mentioning. We stayed at … MORE
This was my first time running Chicago and my second marathon. My experience was much like everyone else but thought a couple of things were worth mentioning.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive which coincidentally also served as a stop for the shuttle to the expo at McCormick Place. We went to the expo after we arrived on Friday and rush hour was just getting underway. We were able to get on the bus right away but it did take a little bit of time to get to the expo. On the way back there were huge lines of people waiting to take the shuttles back and we waited in line for more than an hour for our shuttle. Apparently there was a bad accident along the shuttle route, thus slowing things down even more in the heavy evening rush. While this isn’t the fault of the marathon, it should be noted that if you go later in the day on Friday you run the risk of delays getting back to your hotel. We were on our feet much longer than we wanted to be that day.
As for the race it was great! Getting to Grant Park and the start was not a problem. Water stops were plentiful as were the spectators. I very much appreciated the crowds in the Pilsen and Chinatown neighborhoods late in the race. They were lively and really lifted me up. It was nice to still see so many out cheering for us back of the pack runners. Post race it appeared that they had blocked off access to the party, which was disappointing to say the least. That said, they were handing out beers to runners as they were walking through the chute which made up for it…a little.
I would definitely consider running Chicago again as overall it was a great experience.
Well done throughout the weekend!
From an excellent Expo (except for Nike being out of sizes other than XXL), to an orderly staging of 46,000 people, to amazing crowd support and no hills, to an … MORE
From an excellent Expo (except for Nike being out of sizes other than XXL), to an orderly staging of 46,000 people, to amazing crowd support and no hills, to an awesome medal and a free “26.2” beer…. this was an amazing experience! Final stretch on Michigan Avenue was so loud and energizing just when I needed it to reach my PR! Thank you Chicago 😀❤️🏃🏅
I love this race
I've ran it once and still talk about it often. flat course. 1.5 million spectators cheering you on. who needs headphones? awesome after party. run this race. MORE
I’ve ran it once and still talk about it often. flat course. 1.5 million spectators cheering you on. who needs headphones? awesome after party. run this race.
Big and Grand
Chicago was fun and large. Best part was starting at Grant park since so many of the hotels are very close. I was in Gate #1 which had a line … MORE
Chicago was fun and large. Best part was starting at Grant park since so many of the hotels are very close.
I was in Gate #1 which had a line that took almost 30 minutes to get through, then the hospitality tent was on the clear other end of the park. Not worth the expense when the tent was so far from the red corrals.
After running NYC, then some smaller races, I felt drowned out in the crowd. There was plenty of crowd support, the water stops were plentiful, and the volunteers were amazing.
The medal was somewhat basic, but on a prestige level of being one of the majors, its somewhat humbling. We also did the 5k the day prior which was a lot of fun. I probably won’t do this one again as its just too many people for me.
Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town
Going into the Chicago Marathon, I was confident that this would be a quintessential "big city" marathon experience. And I was right, as the race went off exactly as I … MORE
Going into the Chicago Marathon, I was confident that this would be a quintessential “big city” marathon experience. And I was right, as the race went off exactly as I expected. It was very organized and polished – the race felt like it was very professionally done. Of course, being one of the “6 majors” where some of the best runners in the world compete for fame and fortune, one would expect that the organizers have all of their ducks in a row.
I’m going to finish this later.
Chicago Should Be on Every Marathoner’s
My second time to get selected for Chicago but my first time to participate and it was worth the expense and trip. This was only my 7th marathon but it … MORE
My second time to get selected for Chicago but my first time to participate and it was worth the expense and trip.
This was only my 7th marathon but it was probably the best to me or in a tie with Disney. Chicago knows how to put on a marathon. Disney is Disney and if they didn’t have the characters and Disney magic, Chicago would clearly be the best that I have run. I am sure faster runners would prefer Chicago
The expo was good. I was expecting something a bit larger knowing Chicago is one of the six world majors but we have all noticed expos have shrunk in size over the last few years. It wasn’t small I guess I just built it up in my mind. One good thing is most vendors were running vendors and not someone trying to sell me windows. We stayed at the host hotel and there was bus transportation to the expo.
Race day. Very organized. We were blessed with almost perfect marathon weather this year. All that preface weather stress for nothing. There are four wave starts if you count the wheeled start. But three wave starts for runners. I think each wave had five corrals. I also believe most corrals were honor system in that when you register you tell them your estimated finish time and you are seeded based on what you list, no proof of time is required. There was water and lots of restrooms available preface. The course is very flat and what few inclines are there aren’t noticeable. Not eve the on at the finish. Water stations are large and placed on course at perfect intervals. Water and sports drink are at all stations. The sports drink is not watered down some of the later stations have sports gels, gummies, or bananas. There are also plea to of unofficial water stations as well as spectators handing out anything from water, candy, fruit, Gatorade, pretzels, and beer. This event has the best spectator support of any that I have run no matter the distance or location. Most of the time the crowd was two to five people deep. Even in the lass supported areas you still had spectators. Pace teams were available (I should of stuck with mine and I might of made my 4:00, probably not). With 45,000 runners the course is almost always crowded. Finish line – also crowded. Medals, b
Heat blanket, water, apples, bananas, and Gatorade are all handed out. The chute to exit the secured runner area could of been wider as we were bottlenecked and at times stood still. Not good for an exhausted body.
There was a post race festival but I didn’t visit.
Overall an awesome event and one of if not the best one I have been fortunate to run. Two things I will never forget. While Chinatown is cool, the mixture of Asian food spices/smells are not great when you are nearing the end of your energy reserves. Also I will always remember your shoes sticking to the course at the water stops due to all the Gatorade on the ground. You don’t have this at your local race as the drink is always so watered down. One world major down five to go? Well a poor runner can dream…………….
See you in New York in three weeks.
Chicago is beautiful
Cheering all way through, aid stations were plenty and service was great. Bathrooms were also plenty and well located. Organization was just perfect. For an event with 45k people, I … MORE
Cheering all way through, aid stations were plenty and service was great. Bathrooms were also plenty and well located.
Organization was just perfect. For an event with 45k people, I didn’t see any glitch.
Chicago knows how to do a race
Typical big city race which means very congested running in the early miles, but lots of crowd support. There are plenty of good places to cheer on your runner and … MORE
Typical big city race which means very congested running in the early miles, but lots of crowd support. There are plenty of good places to cheer on your runner and easy to find them at the end.
The course was mostly flat, with a hill near the end. The bridges have metal gratings, but are generally covered with large carpets. There are several turns on this course. My watch was messed up early due to all the buildings, so plan accordingly. The wind was strong and contributed to my second half demise.
On course support was great. Plenty of places and the water vs gatorade was clearly marked.
The convention center for the packet pickup was crazy to get around due to all the traffic. I would probably try to take public transportation next time.
Overall, it was a pretty good experience if you’re into running. 🙂
Great crowd participation and scenery!
Easy, flat course. Great production, aid stations, security. Tons of crowd participation! So much fun!! Make sure your bib is showing and smile a lot. They take great pictures. And … MORE
Easy, flat course. Great production, aid stations, security. Tons of crowd participation! So much fun!! Make sure your bib is showing and smile a lot. They take great pictures. And they hand you a beer at the finish line. Thanks Goose Island!
One of my favorites
Chicago is a must for all marathoners. The event is well-run and the course is super fast in a decent weather. It was in the 60s with on-and-off rain when … MORE
Chicago is a must for all marathoners. The event is well-run and the course is super fast in a decent weather. It was in the 60s with on-and-off rain when I ran it in 2018. The corrals are well organized and I didnt feel like I needed to do much weaving around other runners. I ran on the blue tangent line the entire race but still ended up running .2 over. GPS does not work well because of the tall buildings so I purchased a stryd foot pod to really on for an accurate pace. It worked like a charm and I would highly recommend it. The expo is huge! The finish area was well organized. I stayed at a hotel right along Grant Park so it was an easy walk to the start and from the finish.