Bank of America Chicago Marathon

O'Hare is the main international gateway — the Blue Line CTA train runs directly to downtown (Loop) in 45 minutes ($5). Midway is smaller and served by the Orange Line (30 min to Loop). Stay in the Loop or Near North Side for best race logistics.

💡 The CTA train from O'Hare is the most reliable option — taxis and rideshares face traffic on race weekend.

The Chicago Marathon Expo is in the McCormick Place convention centre, accessible by the CTA Orange/Green Line. Bib pickup is mandatory in person on Friday or Saturday. The expo has over 100 vendors and is one of the most comprehensive in marathon running.

Cloud Gate (The Bean) in Millennium Park is Chicago's most iconic landmark — a 110-tonne steel sculpture reflecting the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor concert venue is spectacular. Grant Park is 2 blocks south — your race starts and finishes here.

Chicago has some of the world's finest early 20th century architecture. The Chicago Architecture Center's 90-minute river cruise is one of the best ways to experience it, narrated by trained volunteer docents.

💡 Book in advance — October cruises fill fast.

River North has Chicago's best mid-range restaurants. RPM Italian does excellent pasta in enormous portions; Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park is the runner's traditional pre-race choice. Keep it carb-heavy and familiar.

💡 Eat by 19:00 — you want 12+ hours of digestion before the 07:30 start gun.

Race start is at 07:30 from Grant Park. Corrals open at 06:30 and bag drop closes 45 minutes before your wave. Eat your race breakfast by 04:30 (oats, banana, coffee) and head to Grant Park by 06:30.

💡 Chicago's October mornings are cold (5–8°C at gun time, warming to 14°C by finish). Wear throwaway warm-up layers and gloves that you'll discard by mile 5.

The race begins with an iconic loop through the high-rise canyons of downtown Chicago. The buildings create a wind tunnel and the crowd noise is amplified — the most exhilarating opening mile in marathon running.

The course runs south through Bronzeville, west through Chinatown and Pilsen, north through Greek Town and Near West Side, and returns to Grant Park via Lincoln Park. Flat, fast, and loud throughout. The Chinatown section at mile 21 provides one of the race's biggest crowd surges when you need it most.

💡 Miles 18–22 pass through the quieter neighbourhood sections — be mentally prepared for this and keep your rhythm even as the crowd thins temporarily.

The finish line is in Grant Park with Lake Michigan as the backdrop. The Chicago medal is the second-heaviest major medal in marathon running. The finisher area has excellent food, Goose Island beer, and the Mylar blanket warmth you desperately need.

You have run 26.2 miles. Chicago deep dish pizza is the correct response. Lou Malnati's or Giordano's are the definitive options — order by the pie, eat in good company, and consider the Goose Island IPA as medicinal.

💡 Deep dish takes 45 minutes to bake — order immediately upon arrival.

The Chicago Riverwalk along the south bank of the Chicago River is a beautiful 2.65 km walk through the heart of the city. Restaurant terraces line the waterfront — ideal for a recovery breakfast with excellent views.

One of America's great art museums on Michigan Avenue. Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon and Grant Wood's American Gothic are here. The ground floor requires minimal walking — manageable on tired legs.

CTA Blue Line from downtown Loop to O'Hare takes 45 minutes. Allow 2.5 hours before departure for international flights.