| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |
| H (°F) | 55 | 72 | 55 | 62 | 68 |
| L (°F) | 38 | 54 | 41 | 51 | 57 |
| Powered by Dark Sky | |||||
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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
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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!
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Words cannot begin to describe The Chicago Marathon. It was excellent. All the way around. My performance may have been less than desired, but it was a great race, and … MORE
Words cannot begin to describe The Chicago Marathon. It was excellent. All the way around. My performance may have been less than desired, but it was a great race, and I am already signed up for next year.
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What an awesome experience it was! My whole family came out and cheered for me as I improved more than a min/mile from my previous best marathon time. It was … MORE
What an awesome experience it was! My whole family came out and cheered for me as I improved more than a min/mile from my previous best marathon time. It was very well organized—and it has to be with over 45,000 runners involved. Definitely make this a destination race, and plan time to see the city while you are in town.
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Chicago (the race) is HUGE, so you will be in a crowd for about 25 miles. As a result, there's not a lot of room for maneuvering. Crowd support is … MORE
Chicago (the race) is HUGE, so you will be in a crowd for about 25 miles. As a result, there’s not a lot of room for maneuvering. Crowd support is the best I’ve ever seen, with people along every inch of this fantastic, flat course. You get to see the 29 neighbourhoods of Chicago and feel that Midwestern welcome. Run this race—you won’t regret it.
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I like the beginning of the race, crossing over the bridges over the river. I feel that the last half of the race has very little to see as someone … MORE
I like the beginning of the race, crossing over the bridges over the river. I feel that the last half of the race has very little to see as someone who is not familiar with Chicago. It was a beautiful day except for the extreme winds before the start. The volunteers and water stops were great. Having pictures next to the fountain and seeing the sunrise over the park in the morning was fantastic.
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This was the best of the two Marathons I've done (the other being NYC). The organization was awesome, the support was the best. The logistics all around were perfect. The … MORE
This was the best of the two Marathons I’ve done (the other being NYC). The organization was awesome, the support was the best. The logistics all around were perfect. The weather was warmer than expected and I had some health issues on the course. If I ever repeat a full (I’m not doing many) this would be the one.
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-Flat course -Great fan support -Water/Gatorade every 1.5 to 2 miles -This was my first full marathon and even though the weather didn't cooperate (it was a hotter day) I … MORE
-Flat course
-Great fan support
-Water/Gatorade every 1.5 to 2 miles
-This was my first full marathon and even though the weather didn’t cooperate (it was a hotter day) I finished and am going to apply for the lottery again next year
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The race starts by the waterfront. Then, it goes into the downtown buildings. The signals will throw off your GPS watches on multiple occasions and almost everyone will end up … MORE
The race starts by the waterfront. Then, it goes into the downtown buildings. The signals will throw off your GPS watches on multiple occasions and almost everyone will end up with an extra mile on their watches. Course is flat for the most part, but does have quite a few bridges to run over and some are over metal that are covered with carpets. There’s quite a number of pot holes, so need to watch out for the footing. Medal is great and post race beer and food are wonderful.
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I loved Chicago Marathon! Having run Berlin two weeks before with drizzling rain, Chicago was warmer and dry. Perfect (almost a bit two warm for my liking) fall weather. In … MORE
I loved Chicago Marathon! Having run Berlin two weeks before with drizzling rain, Chicago was warmer and dry. Perfect (almost a bit two warm for my liking) fall weather.
In comparison with Berlin everything was bigger (well, expo in north America’s biggest exhibition centre- how can you beat that?) but also further out/ apart from each other. Race corals were stricter enforced. I really appreciated the number of different pacers in every coral. I wanted to make it a 3:05h and stuck with the pacing group for the first miles but felt it wasn’t my pace and slowly made up my way to the 3:00h group. The volunteers (plenty of isotonics and water) and the crowds were so uplifting and cheering. Did well for 30km but then I had to understand that 2 marathons in two weeks are not that easy and I had to slow down. Finished strong with 3:07:23h which improved my PR by 2:20min and I will be back in 2018.
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The Chicago Marathon is everything I love about running and should be at the top of everyone's running bucket list. The expo was amazing, the best I have ever attended. … MORE
The Chicago Marathon is everything I love about running and should be at the top of everyone’s running bucket list. The expo was amazing, the best I have ever attended. I have enjoyed every expo I have attended, I really enjoy spending time and talking to the attendees as well as the vendors. Chicago was amazing, and not just because of the number of people involved. The layout was done in such a way that there was plenty of room to move around in spite of all of the people wandering about. There were also a lot of interactive areas at the expo, from places to leave messages to other runners to a place to sit and watch the course video being played on a continuous loop. Goose Island had free beer and it seemed like every major gear maker had Chicago branded shirts for sale, definitely plenty of opportunities to be separated from your money.
I stayed at the Chicago Hilton which was right across the street from the course start and finish in Grant Park. There were plenty of restaurants around the hotel to choose from and the hotel had an excellent pasta buffet the night before the race. Getting to my corral was as simple as walking across the street and through a metal detector. I was honestly surprised the security wasn’t tighter given the shooting in Las Vegas having just taken place. My only complaint about the start area is the potties were not accessible once the corrals started to fill up, there was no way to fight back through the crowds to get to the potty area if you needed to go in the last hour before the start.
The course itself was magnificent. As reported by many before, the tunnel and surrounding buildings prevented most GPS watches from functioning correctly. My watch had me 2 miles further than I was on the course and showed me finishing with over 28 miles on the day so I guess I got an unofficial ultra! But, the course was so well marked I was never unaware of my position. Of course, the thousands and thousands of spectators that lined the entire route made for all the distractions I needed.
The course itself was virtually flat with the most impressive climb coming at mile 26 before turning to the finish line. I am still amazed at how many people lined the course, cheering all of us runners on our way. There were plenty of landmarks to see on the way and there were no boring parts of the route. I was disappointed in not being able to see much of Wrigley Field, but the city of Chicago was definitely the star of this race.
As the day turned to noon, the heat came up into the upper 70’s and many of us were hit by cramping in the last few miles. The sudden elevation change at mile 26 had me nursing both hamstrings cramping and my left calf trying to seize up. Of course, this is an indication of poor fueling on my part and not the fault of anything or anyone involved in the race. I loved the passion and dedication of the people involved in putting on this event. I watched crowds of volunteers meeting in the park the day before, getting prepared for the race and setting up tents and tables. And then all of the people who came out all along the course to cheer on the runners was an even more amazing thing to see and be a part of. The Chicago Marathon should absolutely be a part of everyone’s race wish list, I look forward to running it again one day.
Expo: the expo was easy to get to. We drove there and parked. No problem. However, had we checked in to our hotel, it offered shuttle bus service that ran … MORE
Expo: the expo was easy to get to. We drove there and parked. No problem. However, had we checked in to our hotel, it offered shuttle bus service that ran often. It was large and filled with all kinds of runner delights. There were talks. They handed out free posters. There were lovely merch choices to drain your wallets. Come early because things do sell out. I missed out on a coffee mug that wouldn’t have fit into my overflowing mug cabinet anyway. It’s the perfect place to meet people you’ve been chatting with on social media.
Do not miss out on the Bank of America area. You can leave messages for runners there that showed up on big boards at the halfway point and at mile 25. These messages are also emailed at the end so the runner always has them.
Packet pick-up was easy. If your XS like me, you’ll be the only one in line for your shirt. If your XL like my hubby, again, you’ll be the only one in line.
Swag: I loved the blue shirt we received this year. The design was simple – my preference. And the logo was placed higher so that the bib did not obscure it, if you chose to run in it. The medal was a classic design. It matched my London medal quite nicely.
Race: 45,000 runners. An endless sea of humanity. Our wave started an hour and a half after the elites, give or take. This is another great time to meet people and learn life stories. The course was gorgeous and ever-changing. YOUR WATCHES WILL NOT WORK RIGHT! The tunnels throws it off right from the start. Afterwards, the buildings interfere. There was plenty of aid long the course. Seemingly never-ending. The crowd support was fantastic except for a long stretch after Chinatown. Maybe spectators couldn’t get there as easily. Maybe they were bored by then. I expected never ending shouts, but it was crickets here until the end where the excitement resumed.
Wear your name on the front of your shirt. They love to yell out your name and that is energizing.
It’s not as easy to see Wrigley Field. Boo!
TV/Celebrity runners: the news was all about the marathon. You really feel like you’re the visiting celebrity. And if you stay at the host hotel, you will see them and possibly meet them. We saw Paula Radcliffe, Jordan Hasay, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and many others.
Hotel: the Hilton Chicago was literally across the street from start and finish. This was especially nice at the end when you wanted a shower and a bed. Our room had two full baths! Imagine our surprise considering we chose the cheap room! Since many people gathered here before and after the race, potty breaks and shower breaks were easy and nice.
Parking: instead of paying $75/day the hotel wanted, we chose a lot around the corner for $20/day. It was a 5 minute walk max from hotel. Worth the savings.
Eating out: Ryosushi! A block away from the beaten path of Michigan Ave. Awesome sushi. No crowds.
This was well run, well organized. A must do for the serious and non-serious runners alike. Get into the lottery and save your pennies. Make all your reservations ahead of time. Well worth it.
Chicago Marathon is really TOP of the TOPS! After having run Berlin Marathon 2 weeks ago which was also awesome I have to admit that Chicago beats Berlin by a … MORE
Chicago Marathon is really TOP of the TOPS! After having run Berlin Marathon 2 weeks ago which was also awesome I have to admit that Chicago beats Berlin by a little. First of all I fell in love with the expo which is huge and perfectly organized. No waiting at all and many possibilities to take pictures in front of huge photo-walls. The race was also perfectly organized. Water and energy drinks every 2 or 3 km and gels along the route. All volunteers were so friendly and cheering like hell! The atmosphere was the best I´ve ever experienced, spectators all along the 42,2km – Berlin is good, but Chicago is better! The only things which I have to criticize is the number of toilets before the start and that the finish is not that emotional, but ok – finishing in Berlin running through Brandenburg Gate is unbeatable.
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!
The Chicago Marathon!
Words cannot begin to describe The Chicago Marathon. It was excellent. All the way around. My performance may have been less than desired, but it was a great race, and … MORE
Words cannot begin to describe The Chicago Marathon. It was excellent. All the way around. My performance may have been less than desired, but it was a great race, and I am already signed up for next year.
Great place to get a PR!
What an awesome experience it was! My whole family came out and cheered for me as I improved more than a min/mile from my previous best marathon time. It was … MORE
What an awesome experience it was! My whole family came out and cheered for me as I improved more than a min/mile from my previous best marathon time. It was very well organized—and it has to be with over 45,000 runners involved. Definitely make this a destination race, and plan time to see the city while you are in town.
Everything I dreamt of
Chicago (the race) is HUGE, so you will be in a crowd for about 25 miles. As a result, there's not a lot of room for maneuvering. Crowd support is … MORE
Chicago (the race) is HUGE, so you will be in a crowd for about 25 miles. As a result, there’s not a lot of room for maneuvering. Crowd support is the best I’ve ever seen, with people along every inch of this fantastic, flat course. You get to see the 29 neighbourhoods of Chicago and feel that Midwestern welcome. Run this race—you won’t regret it.
Beautiful Day in a Cool City
I like the beginning of the race, crossing over the bridges over the river. I feel that the last half of the race has very little to see as someone … MORE
I like the beginning of the race, crossing over the bridges over the river. I feel that the last half of the race has very little to see as someone who is not familiar with Chicago. It was a beautiful day except for the extreme winds before the start. The volunteers and water stops were great. Having pictures next to the fountain and seeing the sunrise over the park in the morning was fantastic.
Awesome Event
This was the best of the two Marathons I've done (the other being NYC). The organization was awesome, the support was the best. The logistics all around were perfect. The … MORE
This was the best of the two Marathons I’ve done (the other being NYC). The organization was awesome, the support was the best. The logistics all around were perfect. The weather was warmer than expected and I had some health issues on the course. If I ever repeat a full (I’m not doing many) this would be the one.
Great atmosphere, Great fan support
-Flat course -Great fan support -Water/Gatorade every 1.5 to 2 miles -This was my first full marathon and even though the weather didn't cooperate (it was a hotter day) I … MORE
-Flat course
-Great fan support
-Water/Gatorade every 1.5 to 2 miles
-This was my first full marathon and even though the weather didn’t cooperate (it was a hotter day) I finished and am going to apply for the lottery again next year
World class race in Windy City
The race starts by the waterfront. Then, it goes into the downtown buildings. The signals will throw off your GPS watches on multiple occasions and almost everyone will end up … MORE
The race starts by the waterfront. Then, it goes into the downtown buildings. The signals will throw off your GPS watches on multiple occasions and almost everyone will end up with an extra mile on their watches. Course is flat for the most part, but does have quite a few bridges to run over and some are over metal that are covered with carpets. There’s quite a number of pot holes, so need to watch out for the footing. Medal is great and post race beer and food are wonderful.
2nd major in two weeks, 2nd PR
I loved Chicago Marathon! Having run Berlin two weeks before with drizzling rain, Chicago was warmer and dry. Perfect (almost a bit two warm for my liking) fall weather. In … MORE
I loved Chicago Marathon! Having run Berlin two weeks before with drizzling rain, Chicago was warmer and dry. Perfect (almost a bit two warm for my liking) fall weather.
In comparison with Berlin everything was bigger (well, expo in north America’s biggest exhibition centre- how can you beat that?) but also further out/ apart from each other. Race corals were stricter enforced. I really appreciated the number of different pacers in every coral. I wanted to make it a 3:05h and stuck with the pacing group for the first miles but felt it wasn’t my pace and slowly made up my way to the 3:00h group. The volunteers (plenty of isotonics and water) and the crowds were so uplifting and cheering. Did well for 30km but then I had to understand that 2 marathons in two weeks are not that easy and I had to slow down. Finished strong with 3:07:23h which improved my PR by 2:20min and I will be back in 2018.
This is why I love to run
The Chicago Marathon is everything I love about running and should be at the top of everyone's running bucket list. The expo was amazing, the best I have ever attended. … MORE
The Chicago Marathon is everything I love about running and should be at the top of everyone’s running bucket list. The expo was amazing, the best I have ever attended. I have enjoyed every expo I have attended, I really enjoy spending time and talking to the attendees as well as the vendors. Chicago was amazing, and not just because of the number of people involved. The layout was done in such a way that there was plenty of room to move around in spite of all of the people wandering about. There were also a lot of interactive areas at the expo, from places to leave messages to other runners to a place to sit and watch the course video being played on a continuous loop. Goose Island had free beer and it seemed like every major gear maker had Chicago branded shirts for sale, definitely plenty of opportunities to be separated from your money.
I stayed at the Chicago Hilton which was right across the street from the course start and finish in Grant Park. There were plenty of restaurants around the hotel to choose from and the hotel had an excellent pasta buffet the night before the race. Getting to my corral was as simple as walking across the street and through a metal detector. I was honestly surprised the security wasn’t tighter given the shooting in Las Vegas having just taken place. My only complaint about the start area is the potties were not accessible once the corrals started to fill up, there was no way to fight back through the crowds to get to the potty area if you needed to go in the last hour before the start.
The course itself was magnificent. As reported by many before, the tunnel and surrounding buildings prevented most GPS watches from functioning correctly. My watch had me 2 miles further than I was on the course and showed me finishing with over 28 miles on the day so I guess I got an unofficial ultra! But, the course was so well marked I was never unaware of my position. Of course, the thousands and thousands of spectators that lined the entire route made for all the distractions I needed.
The course itself was virtually flat with the most impressive climb coming at mile 26 before turning to the finish line. I am still amazed at how many people lined the course, cheering all of us runners on our way. There were plenty of landmarks to see on the way and there were no boring parts of the route. I was disappointed in not being able to see much of Wrigley Field, but the city of Chicago was definitely the star of this race.
As the day turned to noon, the heat came up into the upper 70’s and many of us were hit by cramping in the last few miles. The sudden elevation change at mile 26 had me nursing both hamstrings cramping and my left calf trying to seize up. Of course, this is an indication of poor fueling on my part and not the fault of anything or anyone involved in the race. I loved the passion and dedication of the people involved in putting on this event. I watched crowds of volunteers meeting in the park the day before, getting prepared for the race and setting up tents and tables. And then all of the people who came out all along the course to cheer on the runners was an even more amazing thing to see and be a part of. The Chicago Marathon should absolutely be a part of everyone’s race wish list, I look forward to running it again one day.
The views. The energy.
Expo: the expo was easy to get to. We drove there and parked. No problem. However, had we checked in to our hotel, it offered shuttle bus service that ran … MORE
Expo: the expo was easy to get to. We drove there and parked. No problem. However, had we checked in to our hotel, it offered shuttle bus service that ran often. It was large and filled with all kinds of runner delights. There were talks. They handed out free posters. There were lovely merch choices to drain your wallets. Come early because things do sell out. I missed out on a coffee mug that wouldn’t have fit into my overflowing mug cabinet anyway. It’s the perfect place to meet people you’ve been chatting with on social media.
Do not miss out on the Bank of America area. You can leave messages for runners there that showed up on big boards at the halfway point and at mile 25. These messages are also emailed at the end so the runner always has them.
Packet pick-up was easy. If your XS like me, you’ll be the only one in line for your shirt. If your XL like my hubby, again, you’ll be the only one in line.
Swag: I loved the blue shirt we received this year. The design was simple – my preference. And the logo was placed higher so that the bib did not obscure it, if you chose to run in it. The medal was a classic design. It matched my London medal quite nicely.
Race: 45,000 runners. An endless sea of humanity. Our wave started an hour and a half after the elites, give or take. This is another great time to meet people and learn life stories. The course was gorgeous and ever-changing. YOUR WATCHES WILL NOT WORK RIGHT! The tunnels throws it off right from the start. Afterwards, the buildings interfere. There was plenty of aid long the course. Seemingly never-ending. The crowd support was fantastic except for a long stretch after Chinatown. Maybe spectators couldn’t get there as easily. Maybe they were bored by then. I expected never ending shouts, but it was crickets here until the end where the excitement resumed.
Wear your name on the front of your shirt. They love to yell out your name and that is energizing.
It’s not as easy to see Wrigley Field. Boo!
TV/Celebrity runners: the news was all about the marathon. You really feel like you’re the visiting celebrity. And if you stay at the host hotel, you will see them and possibly meet them. We saw Paula Radcliffe, Jordan Hasay, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and many others.
Hotel: the Hilton Chicago was literally across the street from start and finish. This was especially nice at the end when you wanted a shower and a bed. Our room had two full baths! Imagine our surprise considering we chose the cheap room! Since many people gathered here before and after the race, potty breaks and shower breaks were easy and nice.
Parking: instead of paying $75/day the hotel wanted, we chose a lot around the corner for $20/day. It was a 5 minute walk max from hotel. Worth the savings.
Eating out: Ryosushi! A block away from the beaten path of Michigan Ave. Awesome sushi. No crowds.
This was well run, well organized. A must do for the serious and non-serious runners alike. Get into the lottery and save your pennies. Make all your reservations ahead of time. Well worth it.
Wow - what a race!!!
Chicago Marathon is really TOP of the TOPS! After having run Berlin Marathon 2 weeks ago which was also awesome I have to admit that Chicago beats Berlin by a … MORE
Chicago Marathon is really TOP of the TOPS! After having run Berlin Marathon 2 weeks ago which was also awesome I have to admit that Chicago beats Berlin by a little. First of all I fell in love with the expo which is huge and perfectly organized. No waiting at all and many possibilities to take pictures in front of huge photo-walls. The race was also perfectly organized. Water and energy drinks every 2 or 3 km and gels along the route. All volunteers were so friendly and cheering like hell! The atmosphere was the best I´ve ever experienced, spectators all along the 42,2km – Berlin is good, but Chicago is better! The only things which I have to criticize is the number of toilets before the start and that the finish is not that emotional, but ok – finishing in Berlin running through Brandenburg Gate is unbeatable.