The Chicago Marathon Race REVIEW

The Chicago Marathon takes place the first week of October and costs around $150 to enter. 

It’s a first come, first serve registration and the race sells out within hours so sign up as soon as registration opens!  (I’m not sure when it does for 2013)

It’s a large race with over 45,000 runners in 2012; it’s also flat, fast and great for a potential PR.

THE EXPO

The expo is held at the McCormick Place Convention Center which is HUGE.  There were free shuttles offered from the Nike store on the Magnificent Mile so I used the shuttle and it took about 30 minutes to get there.

I went to the expo on Saturday around noon and even though there were a ton of people, it didn’t even feel that crowded.  I was able to get my bib, goody bag and shirt very easily.

{Lots of signage, lots of room, lots of vendors and things for sale}

I though the geometric OWN CHICAGO logo was kinda cool:

After checking out the expo, I got back in line to take the shuttle back downtown.  This line was pretty long but moved quickly: it took about 20 minutes to get on a shuttle.

In the goody bag were a lot of flyers, a few samples and the race shirt:

THE START

The race starts (and finishes) in Grant Park at 7:30am.  There are 2 waves: the second starts 30 mins after the first.  And then the waves are broken down even further by qualifying times.

Because there’s so many runners, I would recommend getting there a little early, although I thought the start area was really well done and efficient.  There were gates cordoning off different waves and directing runners where to go.

Dress appropriately!  At 6:30am it was chilly and cold and a little windy!  I wore a throwaway hat, gloves and sweatshirt as well as arm sleeves with my tank top.  I tossed my hat and sweatshirt immediately but kept my gloves on for 8ish miles.

My experience was that there were plenty of porta potties in my corral area so I barely waited for one which was awesome and a little surprising with the amount of people.

The race started right on time and we took off through the city.

THE COURSE AND SUPPORT

The course is flat and fast; if you’re looking for a fast marathon, this is it.  Just be sure to start in the appropriate corral and area so that you aren’t starting too slow, behind too many people because it will be crowded!  This has to be one of the largest marathons in the world.

We ran all over the city and a lot of it was a blur for me, but I do remember running through downtown areas with tall buildings and then more urban park areas that were pretty with the fall colors.  Reminded me of Central Park a little.

The only complaint I have is that I wish we could have run by the water.

The course support was like the rest of the race: very efficient.  They know how to put on a big race and do it well.  Water and Gatorade was offered every 1-2 miles by hundreds of volunteers.  There was also Clif gels at mile 18 and bananas at a few later mile stations.

I didn’t have any issues with course support and thought the volunteers did a great job.

THE FINISH

The course is almost pancake flat except for a small hill at the very end.  Because it’s at the end it feels tougher than it is, but it’s like a small overpass or something.

But once you crest it, you’re right at the finish with the grandstands of people cheering.

Once again, there were tons of volunteers at the finish giving out space blankets, water, helping anyone.  Like NYCM, you have to walk a LONG ways to get out of the finish area.  It definitely helps to have a phone to meet up with people because it’s a huge area!

If I remember correctly, I think they gave out bags with food and water in them, but maybe I’m making that up?!  All my races are running together.

I didn’t do bag check so I’m not sure how that went or worked out.

THE SUMMARY

I loved this race.  I would recommend anyone do it – just sign up as soon as it opens.  You don’t have to qualify and you don’t have to enter a lottery.  It’s a great city and a great experience.

It felt a lot like the New York City Marathon to me, and that’s my favorite race of them all.  It’s a huge race with so many runners, but there weren’t any issues that I experienced – the big races know how to do them and do them right.

MY TIPS

*To get in, you gotta know when registration opens and sign up early!

*Pack for cold windy weather.  That means throwaway clothes or bag check clothes before the race and bring clothes for after the race.  I am always cold after a race so having sweats and a sweatshirt was nice.

*Book a hotel early.  I booked through the hotel website, and the hotel wasn’t cheap but it was centrally located enough that we could walk to everything which was really nice.  We didn’t have to worry about the metro or getting a cab.

*Bring a phone to meet up with your friends/family afterwards.  Even though I was on the phone with the hus, it still took awhile for us to find each other.

*Give yourself enough time.  It’s a big race with a lot of people so whether you’re going to the expo, to the start or looking for someone at the finish, remember that there’s 45,000 other runners doing the same thing so everything is going to take a little time.  You can’t just roll up to the start at 7:25 and expect a smooth beginning, know what I mean?

*Enjoy it!  Eat pizza, see the city, be a tourist.  It was such a great weekend and fun race that I most definitely want to do it again!

Have you ever run Chicago or a race in Chicago?  Favorite race of all?