The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is part of the prestigious World Marathon Majors, cementing its status as a top global sporting event. The marathon starts in waves at Grant Park, with wheelchair and handcycle athletes leading off at 7:20 a.m., followed by three waves of runners beginning at 7:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 8:35 a.m.
While spectator access to the start and finish areas within Grant Park is limited, fans can cheer on participants from numerous prime viewing locations along the route. Early in the race, popular spots include Grand Avenue between Columbus Drive and State Street (Mile 1) and State Street between Grand Avenue and Jackson Boulevard. The finish can be viewed from the Bank of America Cheer Zone at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road. Additional official cheer zones, such as the Shamrock Shuffle Cheer Zone in Lincoln Park (8K mark) and the Charity Block Party (Mile 15), provide festive atmospheres.
The course offers a unique tour of Chicago’s neighborhoods, from the mariachi bands in Pilsen (Mile 19) to lion dancers in Chinatown (Mile 21) and the energetic block-party vibe of Northalsted’s LGBTQ+ community at Miles 7 and 9. Public transportation via the CTA ‘L’ trains is strongly recommended due to extensive road closures, with stations like Grand, Addison, 18th, Sox-35th, and Roosevelt offering easy access to various points along the course.
For those tracking specific runners, the Chicago Marathon app allows electronic tracking of participants at key checkpoints, including the 10K, halfway, 30K marks, and the finish line.
In a related story, a Baltimore couple, Erin and Jonathan Leggett, arrived in Chicago to run the marathon but discovered their reservation at the Ambassador Chicago hotel had been canceled despite prior confirmation. The hotel’s management, which changed from Hyatt to independent ownership in March, declined to honor several previously booked reservations, affecting at least 60 guests. Hyatt responded by accommodating affected guests at other area hotels. More details can be found via CBS Chicago.
With the marathon’s rich history and diverse participation, the event continues to inspire both runners and spectators alike. For more information and updates on the race, visit the official Chicago Marathon website or follow @ChiMarathon on Twitter for live coverage and news.