No matter your pace, this is your place
Runners from more than 100 countries and all 50 states flock to the Windy City every year to live out their dream of completing the Chicago Marathon, one of the top marathons in the world. The fast, flat course is known for its record-setting ways, offering a great shot at everything from a personal best to a world record.
Tips for Attending
- The free Chicago Marathon app lets you track runners in real time, monitor the weather, interact with the course map, purchase gear, and look at event photos.
- To send off runners closest to the start of the race, go to Grand Avenue, between Columbus Drive and State Street, or anywhere along State Street between Grand Avenue and Jackson Boulevard.
- To cheer on runners close to the finish, go to the Bank of America Cheer Zone at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road.
Getting There
The start line for the Chicago Marathon in Grant Park is less than a mile from Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago.
Drinking & Dining
You’re going to want a good meal and an ice-cold beer after getting through 26.2 miles. Rest your weary legs at Fisk & Co., where mussels and crispy frites are waiting to reward you.
It’s a Numbers Game
The Chicago Marathon involves:
- 75,000 bananas
- 38,500 ice bags
- 400 massage therapists
- 1.7 million spectators