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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Volunteering is a great experience
I volunteered as a course marshall at mile marker 25 and loved watching Sir Mo fly by me to win this race and break a record. As a former runner … MORE
I volunteered as a course marshall at mile marker 25 and loved watching Sir Mo fly by me to win this race and break a record. As a former runner of this race, I appreciated seeing the front of the pack. The race is well run and the city of Chicago does a fantastic job. Great hotel and food options near the race.
Great City Support
This race is first class. The city goes all out for it and the neighborhoods provide great energy. The expo is great and the race is well run. The course … MORE
This race is first class. The city goes all out for it and the neighborhoods provide great energy. The expo is great and the race is well run. The course is flat and well supported. This is a race you must do.
Awesome Experience!
This race was so well organized that it helped keep me calm. I loved all 20+ uniques neighborhoods and the millions of spectators. Aid stations were multiple blocks long so … MORE
This race was so well organized that it helped keep me calm. I loved all 20+ uniques neighborhoods and the millions of spectators. Aid stations were multiple blocks long so there was no real congestion, fabulous race. Can’t wait to run again.
Great City, Boring Swag
I love the crowd support in big city races. I appreciated that there were buses around the city that were designated to take you to the expo. That really helped … MORE
I love the crowd support in big city races. I appreciated that there were buses around the city that were designated to take you to the expo. That really helped streamline the process. The race shirts were incredibly boring. Plain black with white writing. I actually donated mine the moment I got home because there was nothing special about it. I really enjoyed the after party.
Fantastic
Well organized with great crowd support. The feel is a huge friendly group run where everyone is there to lend a hand. Well worth all the effort. The course is … MORE
Well organized with great crowd support. The feel is a huge friendly group run where everyone is there to lend a hand. Well worth all the effort. The course is flat and the scenery changes every few blocks as you change neighborhoods.
Chicago Marathon
I had a good time racing Chicago. It was flat and fast as advertised. I didn't set a PR, but I did BQ. I achieved my goal of running the … MORE
I had a good time racing Chicago. It was flat and fast as advertised. I didn’t set a PR, but I did BQ. I achieved my goal of running the three American World majors. Great race, great crowds, and lots of fun. I love Chicago!
Great for first timers
This was actually called La Salle Banks Chicago Marathon at this time. Same great course and same great crowd. Much more swag at the expo back then. MORE
This was actually called La Salle Banks Chicago Marathon at this time. Same great course and same great crowd. Much more swag at the expo back then.
Well organized race on flat course
Well organized race. Flat course with a lots of turns. The race was crowded most of the way, which worked for me so I did not overextend myself. The water … MORE
Well organized race. Flat course with a lots of turns. The race was crowded most of the way, which worked for me so I did not overextend myself. The water stations were well-marked, frequent, and easy to access. The weather was good for running (60 F, overcast, light rain at times). Overall, it was a very positive experience.
Absolutely amazing race!
Good: Beautiful course which showed off all the different neighborhoods AND went into the city Great aid stations which were well spaced apart and had plenty of options Great swag … MORE
Good:
Beautiful course which showed off all the different neighborhoods AND went into the city
Great aid stations which were well spaced apart and had plenty of options
Great swag bag with plenty of different snacks and so many calories to replenish with
Great organization
Awesome crowd! Really amazing to see people on every single mile of the course
I, personally, had a great performance
Meh:
The bridges need to be covered completely with carpets as the metal grids seem unsteady to run on
Where’s all the bananas? I think I only saw one aid station with bananas
A bit rainy
Bad:
Honestly, nothing was really that bad
Big City Marathon Big Opportunity for PR
Convenient to be in the Downtown Hilton right near the start and finish lines and they had arranged shuttles to the Expo and that was helpful. Being the official Marathon … MORE
Convenient to be in the Downtown Hilton right near the start and finish lines and they had arranged shuttles to the Expo and that was helpful. Being the official Marathon hotel though I thought they could have rolled out the carpet more to the runners given the prices of the rooms. Expo was large as expected and efficient in terms of getting the bibs although I thought the long walk through the vendors to get a mediocre quality shirt was unnecessary. The Nike made Chicago marathon running garb featured at the expo and the online store after the race including the finisher shirts seemed to be significantly better quality and more fashionable. I suppose it would be too much to ask and $$ lost to expect those shirts for an event with 45,000 runners. It would be nice if they stepped up their game for the basic participant free shirt nonetheless (at least the design and color). The morning of the race was well organized with many volunteers to help guide you through the chain linked fence maze of Grant Park. Despite the early morning drizzle there was palpable excitement at the start with the announcement of the elites, signing of the national anthem by a soprano from the Lyric Opera followed by the countdown. Better than that though was crossing the starting line to the loudspeakers blasting “Sweet Home Chicago” the Blues Brothers version-nice homage to the host city. My advice is to get in your desired pace zone early and park it there for the first 13 miles trying not to better you preordained first split. It’s easy to go out fast here and end up with the first 10K a PR rather than an eventual marathon PR. We had a little wind coming at us at times heading west out of the downtown after the 1/2 marathon mark and there seemed to be a general slow down for 5k after that by the masses so it was important to stay on one’s own pace. This seemed to be a race that if you didn’t waste your reserves early you could really benefit by the flat profile at the end put the hammer down for the last 5k and psychologically get that boost of passing the struggling stragglers (unfortunately I only had enough in the tank to put a small hammer down for the last mile). The course is great for spectators and even my 70+ year old country mice parents managed to see me at 3 different points along the course so there is no excuse for your crew not to be out there cheering you on to a PR(although access to last bit of course to finish line is restricted). 2018 was unusual in terms of precipitation as this race historically has had dry weather since 2006 although for this Pacific NW based runner it was not a deterrent. What was a deterrent was the viral syndrome and low grade fever in the 48 hours before the race. Not a fan of vitamin ibu before or during races given potential kidney issues but 400mg ibuprofen at 4am given my malaise prior to the race probably salvaged my race. Added note: the Chicago Art Museum is super close to Grant Park and worth your while to visit and if you used a bank of america debit or credit card the day of race we received a free entrance ticket with purchase of another. I’m not sure though if the marathon tired me more or walking on those museum marble floors for 2 hours that afternoon.
Lives up to being one of the majors.
Very flat course. It can be a bit crowded but the course covers the entire roadway so plenty of room to maneuver. Well organized start, plenty of PP's, well stocked … MORE
Very flat course. It can be a bit crowded but the course covers the entire roadway so plenty of room to maneuver. Well organized start, plenty of PP’s, well stocked water stations with friendly volunteers. The crowd supports most of the course despite wet conditions. My wife was able to see me easily at a couple of locations though she couldn’t get near the finish line.
Interesting city
First time running in Chicago. Very fun city. Didn't like that you had to be in the start corrals so early and no port a pots available. Was not able … MORE
First time running in Chicago. Very fun city. Didn’t like that you had to be in the start corrals so early and no port a pots available. Was not able to go until mile 6 due to the long lines. Seeing the city was nice!
Not my favorite marathon
The volunteers seemed clueless. The course was ‘ok.’ It was so hot, Runners were vomiting mid stride and passing out. I will say that the pre race tent was amazing … MORE
The volunteers seemed clueless. The course was ‘ok.’ It was so hot, Runners were vomiting mid stride and passing out.
I will say that the pre race tent was amazing and worth every penny.
Major
Chicago is always my favorite marathon to run because of the hype of it being a major and having over 45k runners. This year's course was a little hillier than … MORE
Chicago is always my favorite marathon to run because of the hype of it being a major and having over 45k runners.
This year’s course was a little hillier than last year and in my opinion the weather was better. 2017 weather was 85 degree and sunny and 2018 weather was about 55-60 degrees and a little rain and wind.
The crowd was great, as well as, the water stops about every 1.5-2 miles.
Favorite Marathon Yet.
Awesome marathon. The positive energy from the crowd and other runners was off the chart. Very well organized, especially when you consider there are close to 45,000 runners! Water/Gatorade stations … MORE
Awesome marathon. The positive energy from the crowd and other runners was off the chart. Very well organized, especially when you consider there are close to 45,000 runners! Water/Gatorade stations were well placed and well manned. Crowd support was unbelievable with very little of the course not covered with people, often two or three deep.
Good race, but not flat
First of all, it's flat for people from areas with hills, but for someone from the Gulf South, this is NOT flat lol It was rainy and cold, which made … MORE
First of all, it’s flat for people from areas with hills, but for someone from the Gulf South, this is NOT flat lol It was rainy and cold, which made the bridges slippery, but otherwise was a good race. Finish line could’ve been a tad more organized. NYC just has me spoiled. It’s still a great race though! Highly recommend.
All that it is cracked up to be
Great crowd support throughout the race, but very crowded streets at times. I spent a lot of time and energy running around walkers in the middle of the road and … MORE
Great crowd support throughout the race, but very crowded streets at times. I spent a lot of time and energy running around walkers in the middle of the road and avoiding spectators. BUT, the organization is excellent, awesome expo, and cheering crowds for the entire 26.2. There is a reason over 40,000 run this race. Just don’t expect a lot of elbow room.
The Windy City Never Dissapoints!
I can't say anything new about this race except that it never disappoints! And my recommendation to anyone running it is to ditch the headphones! I finally did this year … MORE
I can’t say anything new about this race except that it never disappoints! And my recommendation to anyone running it is to ditch the headphones! I finally did this year in my fourth year in a row running it and really enjoyed the crowds in all 29 neighborhoods as well as the awesome smiling, cheering, helpful volunteers.
Freakin' Hot!
It was 90s all the way thru the course and I PR'd before Big Sur. This is my 3rd star to complete the six world marathon majors. ************************************** MORE
It was 90s all the way thru the course and I PR’d before Big Sur. This is my 3rd star to complete the six world marathon majors. **************************************
Run Chi-Town!
If this is not already on your "must do marathons" list, you best add it towards the top! From the moment you enter the expo center you are swept up … MORE
If this is not already on your “must do marathons” list, you best add it towards the top! From the moment you enter the expo center you are swept up in excitement the of the event! If you’re not able to stay at a hotel close to downtown don’t fret, you are still able to easily access the start line using public transportation. They do an amazing job with organization in terms of the corrals. Be sure to submit your best half marathon or marathon time, as you will otherwise be placed in the very last corral and have awhile to wait to kick off your race. Regardless, there’s no better way to see the ins and out of this amazing city. The crowd embraces your from the very start to the very end of the race, which is the best motivation of all!