Event: 2017 Chicago Marathon (race website)
Registration: If you're a speedy marathoner, you can apply for a guaranteed entry based on the qualifying standard time. In 2017, there was only a gender-specific qualifying standard time, but in 2018, there are age and gender standards to the time qualifier entry application. If you're not a speed demon, then the non-guaranteed entry application (aka lottery) is one of the many ways (deferred entry, charity entry and legacy entry) to get in the race. Application took place shortly after the previous year's race, so best to mark the date a year in advance on your calendar!
Cost: $195 for U.S. residents and $220 for non-U.S. residents. I'm curious whether the residency affects the lottery success rate and why it costs more non-U.S. residents when they don't even receive physical mailings like the residents do.
Field size: A lot! You'll get to run with about 45,000 of your best running buddies. They don't call this a Major for nothing!
Sell-out factor: Yes, see above registration process.
Run Course: A flat, flat, flat course, except the hill that seems ginormous at 800m to the finish line. The race boosts itself for running through 29 of the city's boroughs.
Pre-Race Day Logistics: Packet pick-up was at McCormick Place. There were parking available at the convention centre and with a validation, there was a discounted parking rate for racers. However, traffic to and from the expo seemed congested. In fact, don't even attempt to drive there during the Friday evening commute. The best way to get to McCormick Place was taking the race expo shuttles that depart from four different locations around the city. The shuttles are easy to spot because they are the bright yellow school buses. The shuttles would take you directly to the designated entrance of the expo whereas there is still quite a trek from the parking lot if you choose to drive. Public transit is another viable option, but with a bit of walking again.
Hotels/Accommodations: I stayed at Swissotel Chicago, which was the perfect location because it was a brisk 20-minute downhill walk to the start, and only a block from the end of the 27th mile post-race party. If you familiarize yourself with the "pedway" pedestrian walkway system, you can take an elevator instead of walking uphill at the end of the race.
I would recommend any hotels north of the Millennium Park within walking distance to the start because to keep the finishers moving through the finish line, there's the 27th mile post-race party that you would need to wander through, and you'll be going in the same direction towards your hotel. The next best option is to stay at any hotels immediate west of Millennium Park or stay near train stations.
Race day transportation: If you've heeded my advice on hotels/accommodations, then it is easy to walk to the race start or take the train in on race morning. The train is underground, so would not be disrupted by traffic or street closure.
Aids station: 20 aids stations along the 26.2 miles. The aids stations are about two-block long on both sides of the street. Most of the stations had Gatorade first and water next, differentiated by the colour of the cups. Aids station in the latter part of the course had other goodies like bananas and gels.
Spectators: Except at the start line where spectators cannot go in the security area, spectators lined the road from beginning to end. There weren't many dull moments through the course.
Swag: Gender-specific tech t-shirt and medal.
Post-race food/drink: In the finisher’s chute, water, beer, banana, chocolate milk, and chips. At the 27th mile post-race party, there were cheeseburgers for $6 (sold out by the time I finished) and $5 for hot dogs. There was also a beer garden for more beer.
Pros: The race is well organized as it is in its 40th anniversary year. We received email updates as race day came closer. The energy from such a big field with runners of all paces is motivating, and the energy from so many spectators is electrifying. The course is as flat as it can be for a record-setting day.
Cons: The recommended 2-hour race arrival time is over the top. The security line didn't take too long at all, so if you don't need to check a bag or use the loo, then you'll be waiting for a long time before your wave start. On a warm day, bag checks are totally unnecessary. Wear an old top in the morning and "donate" it at the start of the race. As for loo break, it's personal, but if your hotel is only a few minutes away, then it doesn't make sense to arrive early just to stand in the super long queue to use the porta loo.
Take-home message: Chicago Marathon didn't disappoint. A city with character showing off its best side during the marathon event!
Spectators: Except at the start line where spectators cannot go in the security area, spectators lined the road from beginning to end. There weren't many dull moments through the course.
Swag: Gender-specific tech t-shirt and medal.
Post-race food/drink: In the finisher’s chute, water, beer, banana, chocolate milk, and chips. At the 27th mile post-race party, there were cheeseburgers for $6 (sold out by the time I finished) and $5 for hot dogs. There was also a beer garden for more beer.
Pros: The race is well organized as it is in its 40th anniversary year. We received email updates as race day came closer. The energy from such a big field with runners of all paces is motivating, and the energy from so many spectators is electrifying. The course is as flat as it can be for a record-setting day.
Cons: The recommended 2-hour race arrival time is over the top. The security line didn't take too long at all, so if you don't need to check a bag or use the loo, then you'll be waiting for a long time before your wave start. On a warm day, bag checks are totally unnecessary. Wear an old top in the morning and "donate" it at the start of the race. As for loo break, it's personal, but if your hotel is only a few minutes away, then it doesn't make sense to arrive early just to stand in the super long queue to use the porta loo.
Take-home message: Chicago Marathon didn't disappoint. A city with character showing off its best side during the marathon event!
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