The big day is almost here! Whether it’s your very first marathon or your Chicago debut, this guide has you covered from picking up your bib at the Expo to crossing that famous finish line in Grant Park. Ready to join 40,000+ runners and feel the buzz from millions of spectators? Let’s dive in!
🛍 Abbott Health & Fitness Expo
📅 October 9–11, 2025
📍 McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Hall D
This is where your race weekend officially begins. At the Expo, you’ll:
- Pick up your bib, gear check tag, Nike participant shirt, and race bag.
- Snap a pic at the wall of names (it never gets old).
- Stock up on official marathon merch (sizes sell out fast, shop early if you want that jacket).
- Check out gear, nutrition, and tech from hundreds of exhibitors.
- Catch seminars and panels on the main stage all weekend long.
👉 Pro Tip: Friday mornings are usually less crowded. And McCormick Place is huge. To me, it’s the longest walk of all six majors, so wear comfy shoes and budget extra time. Don’t forget your photo ID, you’ll need it.
🏃 Race Day Vibes
📅 Sunday, October 12, 2025
📍 Grant Park, Columbus Dr.
Grant Park opens at 5:30 a.m. and the energy is unreal. Here’s what you need to know:
- Wave starts:
- Wave 1 – 7:35 a.m.
- Wave 2 – 8:00 a.m.
- Wave 3 – 8:35 a.m.
- Gear check: Opens at 5:30 a.m. and closes before the first wave. Don’t be late.
- Security: Expect airport-style checks, so pack light.
- Throwaway layers: Chicago mornings can be chilly. Bundle up at the start and toss your layers before the gun (they get donated to charity).
🗺 The Course
Chicago is famous for being flat, fast, and electric. You’ll weave through 29 neighborhoods — from the rainbow balloons of Boystown to the mariachi bands in Pilsen.
- Aid stations: 20 stations every 1–2 miles with Gatorade Endurance, water, toilets, and medical tents.
- Maurten gels: At miles ~12.4, 15.7, and 18.1.
- Bananas: Miles 20–23 (perfect timing for the wall).
- Biofreeze Zone: Around mile 21.2 volunteers spray you down for instant cooling relief.
- Medical support: Tents at every station, plus extras in mile 14–15 and the final mile.
⏱ Time limit: 6 hours 30 minutes (about a 15-min/mile pace). Stay ahead to get full support and official results.
🎯 Race Strategy
- Weather: Chicago is unpredictable. One year it’s 80°, another year it’s freezing. The race uses a color-coded Event Alert System (green = good, red = high risk). Pay attention to the signs and announcements.
- GPS struggles: Tall buildings downtown will mess with your watch in the first 5 miles. Backup plan? Pace tattoos, wristbands, or stick with a pace group.
- Pace Team: Free pacers are available for finish times 2:55 through 6:00. Sign up at the Expo. They run steady, even splits, no crazy surges.
👉 Pro Tip: If your watch dies, run by feel. Sometimes effort-based running delivers magical results.
🪜 Course Quirks
- Run the tangents: Follow the blue line for the shortest distance.
- Bridges: Carpeted but slick on the edges, watch your footing.
- “The hill”: At mile 26, there’s a small incline into Grant Park. After 26 miles, it feels huge. Dig deep, the finish is right after.
🏅 The Finish Line
You’ll cross on Columbus Drive in Grant Park, a moment you’ll never forget.
- Volunteers hand you your medal (take a second to let it sink in).
- Recovery zone = snacks, water, Gatorade, heat sheet, medical support.
- Family meet-up area = Butler Field (look for the big A–Z towers). Cell service is sketchy, so set a plan in advance.
🍻 27th Mile Post-Race Party
📍 Butler Field
🕒 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Celebrate with a Chicago DJ, food, and a cold drink. Runners 21+ can trade the beer tag on their bib for a Goose Island 312, Hazy Beer Hug, or Michelob ULTRA.
✨ Final Reminders
- Stick with your tried-and-true fueling — race day is not the day to experiment.
- Hydrate, sleep, and rest this week.
- Mentally break the race into chunks (5K → 10K → halfway → 20 miles → home stretch).
- Above all, remember why you signed up. This is YOUR day.
Good luck, Chicago runners! You’ve trained for this moment — now it’s time to shine. 🎉
