A Guide to Running the Chicago Marathon
Running your first Chicago Marathon is an unforgettable experience. It’s known for being one of the flattest marathon courses, giving you a great chance to run your best race. From the excitement along the course, and the unmatched energy of the city itself, every mile is something special. I’ve spent a lot of time in Chicago and know the city well, so this guide is packed with tips to help first-time runners navigate the weekend smoothly and enjoy every moment.
WHEN TO ARRIVE
For first-time Chicago Marathon runners, I highly recommend arriving at least two nights before the race if it’s possible. If you aren’t traveling too far then one night is perfectly fine, but if you’re flying or driving far then give yourself the time you need to physically recover from traveling. Two solid nights, gives you time to settle in, explore a bit and head to the Expo without feeling rushed.
WHERE TO STAY
For convenience and comfort, you’re going to want to stay as close to the start line as possible. By now, you know that the start line is at Grant Park, near Jackson Dr and Columbus Dr but exact street entrances will be assigned based on your bib number and corral. That means, any hotel within this vicinity is going to be a win for you. I stayed at TheWit Chicago and it was a great experience. It’s within walking distance or a quick subway ride to the start line, making race morning a breeze.
If TheWit isn’t available, nearly any hotel in Chicago’s Loop area is going to work great. Some other great options are:
– Westin Chicago
– Chicago Athletic Association (right across the street from the start line)
– LondonHouse Chicago (one of my fave Chicago hotels)
– Hilton Chicago (another directly across the street).
You can also use the booking finder below, to find a hotel that best fits your needs.
CHICAGO MARATHON EXPO
Start your Chicago Marathon weekend at the Chicago Marathon Expo located at McCormick Place (2301 S Martin Luther King Dr). I recommend getting there as early as you can to avoid crowds. If you’re driving, parking is available at Lot C with a discounted rate for Expo attendees, just remember to validate your ticket at the Expo. The Expo is where you’ll pick up your bib, race shirt and any last-minute essentials. The Expo isn’t nearly as large as some others like Boston or NYC so I wouldn’t worry about walking too much here, but it’s still possible to overdo it so I always try to just get in and out.
THE NIGHT BEORE THE MARATHON
A relaxed pre-race dinner is a must, something carb-rich to fuel up. But, my biggest recommendation is just like you “practice” for race day, you should “practice” what you eat. What I mean by that is, if you don’t typically eat pasta before a long run then don’t do it the night before the race. You know how your body reacts best so just trust your gut, literally.
I chose to do the marathon dinner at Eataly, which I loved and would recommend. You can also check out the official Chicago marathon pasta dinner, which I’ve heard great things about or there are plenty of restaurants around the city that offer specials for marathon runners. Get tickets or reservations well in advance as everything books up or sells out very fast.
RACE MORNING: SKYLINE HOSPITALITY TENT
For race morning, I chose to buy tickets for the Skyline Hospitality Tent. And, it’s truly a game-changer for first-time Chicago Marathon runners. It’s located at Balbo Drive and Michigan Avenue, opening at 5:30 a.m. Here’s why it’s worth it:
- Heated and sheltered tent to relax pre-race – this alone won me over. On chilly October mornings, this allows you to stay warm and conserve energy instead of shivering before the race.
- Private bathrooms. A true life-saver. The Chicago Marathon does a lot of things well, but they are known for never having enough bathrooms. The lines are insane and I’ve heard horror stories about runners standing in line all morning to use the bathroom.
- Food and beverages. It includes the typical coffee, water and light snacks are available but actual full meals as well.
- Gear check and bag storage. Also a game changer for me. Immediately after the race I was able to grab by bag and have everything I needed.
- Prime location close to the start line, so you can head to your corral stress-free. They also have dedicated people to take you to the start line so you know exactly where you’re headed.
- Post-race amenities. You’ll also get access to massages post-race, food and a spot to watch the remaining finishers at the finish line.
Tickets for the Skyline Tent sell out quickly, so be sure to grab yours well in advance. I left for the tent around 5:15 a.m. (opens at 5:30 a.m.), grabbed a quick bite, relaxed and soaked in the energy. It made the early morning feel so much easier and I personally felt less anxious.
VIEWING THE RACE AS A SPECTATOR
If your friends or family are coming to cheer you on, there are several good spots along the course. To make it easiest on them, I recommend:
- Mile 3: Right-hand side of the road
- Mile 13: Left-hand side of the road
For the finish line, we decided to get tickets for the East Side Viewing Area right at the finish line and it was absolutely worth it. Seeing my husband and our two little kids as I crossed the line was one of the best moments of my life.
Your spectators will enter at Michigan Avenue and 11th Street. They’l follow the 11th Street footpath under Columbus Drive and find the viewing area east of Columbus Drive. These tickets sell out fast, so plan to purchase these ahead of time, too.
POST-RACE CELEBRATION
Once you cross the finish line, the post-race meetup is in Butler Park, giving you a designated spot to reunite with friends and family. As part of the race, you’ll also receive a free Chicago Marathon Goose Island beer.
If you purchased Skyline Hospitality Tent tickets, you can head straight back to the tent to enjoy food, drinks and a post-race massage. And, don’t miss out on a chance to get your picture in front of the bean.
If you’re anything like me, sometimes all you want is a shower and a nap, which is exactly what I did! After resting, we celebrated later with a nice dinner at one of our favorite Chicago restaurants, Quartino.
Running the Chicago Marathon for the first time is a bucket-list experience for any marathon runner. It’s one of the six majors for a reason! I hope you have the best time racing and experiencing the Chicago Marathon. If you ever have questions or need travel advice, reach out on Instagram!
happy travels, liz stanford
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.
