Chicago - Great & underrated.

/October 12th 2025 - 4h01/

/Elevation 66m - Temperature 13℃

/Access via the ballot in October, qualification, tour operator or charity bib.

/Sponsor: Nike

/54349 finishers

"I was in the shower, getting ready for work when I received the email. Congratulations, you've been selected ."

I entered the ballot with big hopes as I heard the chances of being selected were quite high. I was incredibly happy, even if I kinda expected it. It was my first ballot success.

THE EXPO

The expo is called the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, and it's a very big expo—more comparable to NYC than to a smaller European marathon expo. It's held at McCormick Place Convention Center, south of downtown Chicago. It's excellent for shopping. There are exhibitors for running shoes, apparel, nutrition, technology and accessories, plus the big official Nike Chicago Marathon collection.

THE COURSE

Chicago is almost the opposite of NYC. There are no giant bridges, no Fifth Avenue-style late climb and no Boston Newton Hills. It's very flat. You start and finish in Grant Park, beside Lake Michigan, and essentially make a huge tour of the city:

Grant Park → Loop → Lincoln Park → Wrigleyville → downtown → West Side → Pilsen → Chinatown → Michigan Avenue → Grant Park.

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⭐ VIP TIP!!!!

The Skyline Hospitality Tent is Chicago Marathon's VIP race-day experience, and if comfort matters to you, it's one of the more worthwhile upgrades. For reference, the current public price is $260 per person, but it's worth it.

⭐ What do you get?

The tent is inside Grant Park, close to the start/finish area, and is open from 5:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Your ticket includes:

• 🥐 Light breakfast before the race

• 🍽️ Lunch after the race

• 🚻 Private toilets — honestly one of the biggest benefits on marathon morning.

• 🎒 Private gear check

• 👕 Private changing areas

• 💆‍♀️ Post-race massage

• 🚪 Private entrance into Grant Park

• 📺 Live NBC race coverage and runner-tracking/results stations

• 🏁 Reserved finish-line bleacher seating for spectators

• 🎤 Pre-race appearance/tips from race director Carey Pinkowski and running guests.

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It was so worth it! I bought 4 tickets for me and my friends and it totally changed the marathon experience. We were together close to the start line, comfy and warm with food and massages. What's not to like?

THE WEATHER

At race start around 7:30 a.m., it was approximately 10°C with very light easterly wind. Temperatures gradually increased up to 17°C. We couldn't ask for much better.

THE ATMOSPHERE

Chicago is not quite the same emotional rollercoaster as NYC, it feels like a huge, incredibly efficient running race. But there are still enormous spectator sections — especially: Boystown, Northalsted, Wrigleyville, Pilsen, Chinatown, and Michigan Avenue. The organizer says more than one million spectators typically line the route.

WHERE TO STAY

This is where Chicago is fantastic. Because the start AND finish are in Grant Park, you can choose a hotel within walking distance of both. We stayed in Magnificent Mile neighborhood and it was perfect.

WANT TO SEE MORE?

Check at my Instagram video for a live experience!