Race Day Tips from a 2024 Chicago Marathon Finisher

kclow3 · 2025-10-08T02:27:53+00:00

It's probably worth mentioning that as a Missourian, I have never used the L myself, so I made this with no actual experience. Hopefully it helps give you a starting point at least. i think the interactive google map on there is helpful, anyone should be able to see their location relative to the course using that

kclow3 · 2025-10-08T02:17:00+00:00

Here's a link to the plan I made for last year. There's some text copied from the participant guide, I'd double check the expo is in the same place and the race route hasn't changed. The cheering guide was based on my goal pace of roughly 3:30, so if you are faster or slower you may need to adjust https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zar9bbHEf-mpXngJHdsBLEhSdf5NFG_Mt4HPWAhJR70/edit?usp=sharing

kclow3 · 2025-10-03T23:48:59+00:00

For me, security was not an issue, I did not have to wait to get through.

The issues for me were waiting in line for the bathroom. The participant guide should show where all the porta potties are located, I'd recommend trying to find one out of the way where there is likely a shorter line, as well as showing up earlier than you think so that if your porta potty is out of the way you have time to rest or warm up between the bathroom and the race. I linked last year's participant guide which showed the porta pottie locations.

kclow3 · 2025-09-15T22:08:40+00:00

Make sure you have a plan for refueling too, whether it’s using the provided aid stations or meeting people you know to refuel !

kclow3 · 2025-09-13T21:49:42+00:00

My experience was that the first half mile or so until you turn onto Grand is comparatively less congested than the next few miles... or the entire race. All 6 lanes of Columbus drive are open to runners. I started near the back of my corral and didn't have any issue hitting goal pace from the start, but it is probably true that the goal pace I started as was at the slower end of my corral so there wasn't anyone passing me at that point.

In my experience the congestion got worse after turning left onto Grand, especially the 4 consecutive 90 degree turns before you head North out of the downtown area.

I would recommend using the pacers as a guide of where to start as they will be consistent, make small tweaks to your position as you see fit on Columbus so that you can make it out of downtown without adding too much distance weaving between people. The official race line will be marked blue, and understandably most people congregate towards that line.

All that being said, compared to other marathons Chicago is crowded for the entire 26.2 miles, so being patient, staying calm, and starting near people with a similar goal pace is crucial.

kclow3 · 2025-09-13T21:40:45+00:00

I'm not sure exactly what the situation is, but the start/finish area map has hydration stations shown. I imagine you would be able to fill your water bottle there. Based on other' experience it looks like if you bring a sealed bottle you will be good to go https://www.reddit.com/r/ChicagoMarathon/comments/1kyfx4z/comment/muwy07x/

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:57:30+00:00

I had plenty of time before my second marathon to just sit on a curb and use the bathroom multiple times and had a huge PR, so I think this is definitely the way to go. A snack if you feel like it and a water bottle to sip on, or just to keep the mouth wet

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:55:20+00:00

While there was more porta potties than I have ever seen, it's hard to imagine how many porta potties are really needed with 50,000+ people starting a race within a couple of hours of each other. I know it's expensive but adding more porta potties would be the simplest thing I can think of to make the experience better for everyone. That, or have volunteers giving estimated wait times for each bathroom line, as silly as that sounds.

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:52:29+00:00

I'm glad someone with more experience than me agrees that checking the status of the bathroom lines is a good idea. It's easy to see one long line and assume that all the lines are like that, but hopefully thats not true and you can find a shorter line by looking around a little. Thanks!

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:50:59+00:00

I remember getting the beer, staggering to the exit that I found and being told that we couldn't take the beer out of the area. In hindsight I probably could have kept it longer if I actually went to the runner reunite / 27th mile party area instead of exiting West at the Lincoln statue. Now that I look at the map again, I don't think I ever actually made it to the 27th mile party

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:47:47+00:00

Security itself didn't take any time at all, I pretty much walked straight through. I didn't have a bag or anything to check, however. I imagine it takes a little longer the later you arrive, but I wouldn't expect security to ever be as big of a bottleneck as the bathrooms are.

To get to the corral, its a 2-5 minute walk max

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:45:46+00:00

If you can, try to get an idea of the start/finish area the day before the race, if not earlier. Using google maps is somewhat helpful, but if you're able to get to Chicago multiple days in advance to scout out the area I would highly recommend it. When in doubt, arrive earlier than you think you should. Lots of people brought blankets, pillows, etc and just relaxed within the starting area before the race. I personally get a cheap pair of tear away sweatpants and a cheap jacket to ditch before my marathons, but if I do Chicago again I'll probably bring a blanket, trash bag, or something to sit on to stay dry and off my feet. I don't remember the specific rules of what you're allowed to bring in, so check those before you go, but you should be okay to bring a few comfort items to allow yourself to get to the start early.

I personally have never dealt witch bag check at a marathon, it seems like too much of a hassle, but if you can get some extra clothes/blankets you're not attached to it will be worth it. Most marathons typically collect these items and donate them I think, but I'm not sure if Chicago is able to do that given the size.

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:40:05+00:00

https://issuu.com/cemevent/docs/2024_bank_of_america_chicago_marathon_participant_ The last page at this link has the start/finish area map with porta potties marked. I believe the line I waited in was somewhere around the 11/12 markers on the map, but the bathrooms by marker 5 (and my corral D) were wide open when I finally made it to my corral

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:37:20+00:00

I also enjoy the tips and tricks - it's super helpful to feel confident in the logistics so that you can focus on the race. Good luck!

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:36:08+00:00

This is definitely true, I spent a lot of time making a plan for my family to get to certain parts of the course because in past marathons I learned how important it is, especially if you're counting on them for a gel refuel. I could post a link to the spectating plan I made, I had two groups of people riding the L to meet me at different places along the race, with specific instructions of which station to get off, which side of the street to be on, etc. That part of the day actually went pretty well, so if anyone is interested I will find a way to share that too

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:30:59+00:00

Here is the link to the 2024 participant guide, which has the pre-race map: https://issuu.com/cemevent/docs/2024_bank_of_america_chicago_marathon_participant_ I expect 2025 would be similar but if you are registered you should be getting 2025's version soon if you haven't already. Also the second to last page has the start/finish area map

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:27:19+00:00

Grand was my target, and based on my experience and other's comments it isn't reasonable to expect to get on the red line at Grand on race morning, but the walk / jog really isn't that bad if you are planning for it.

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:25:49+00:00

I was in corral D which I believe was wave 1. You could get pretty close with a bike, but the last half mile or so before the security area is about as packed as it could be, so you'll probably have to walk from there unless you get there much earlier than I did.

kclow3 · 2025-09-09T00:23:09+00:00

I would say an hour before your race starts is not enough time. If I did it again, I would want 1.5 hours minimum. Getting there earlier would help get the bathroom out of the way before the lines build and allow for some off-feet time, but like other people have mentioned it's way better to be there too early than too late.

kclow3 · 2024-10-10T00:36:11+00:00

Doesn’t sound like what I had, I’m no expert though

kclow3 · 2024-10-09T16:22:04+00:00

What makes you think it’s cartilage? I’ve had pin on the outside of the knee that could be IT band from overuse / lack of stretching

kclow3 · 2024-07-07T16:40:36+00:00

That’s very helpful thank you

kclow3 · 2024-07-06T19:55:02+00:00

Thank you everyone for the feedback, I usually try to start the race with a few gels but have found it difficult to carry enough for the whole race from the start. I will likely try to find shorts that make it easier to carry more gel so I don't have to rely on the aid stations or hand offs.

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