Running the Chicago Marathon: Training, Course Tips & What to Do After 26.2
The Chicago Marathon is just days away!!
For thousands of runners, the taper is on, the jitters are real, and the excitement is building. Whether you’re racing this year or planning for a future Chicago Marathon race, here’s a coach’s take on how to prep, where to focus on course for race day, and how to celebrate afterward.
I’ve been there myself. I’ve trained through the miles, felt the electricity of the start, and pushed down Michigan Avenue toward the finish.
Here’s what I wish I’d known before toeing the line:
Coach’s Training & Taper Tips
If you’re racing this year (10 days out):
Trust the work: The hay’s in the barn. At this point before Chicago, I was reminding myself daily that fitness doesn’t disappear overnight. In fact, rest sharpens it and gets your legs fresh and ready for the big day.
Stick to routine: The best taper weeks for Chicago are the boring ones. No new fuel, no experimenting, just steady confidence.
Win the mental game: Visualizing the crowd energy and the long pull of Michigan Avenue gave me a calm focus on race morning. Prepare your playlists and mantras!
If you’re aiming for a future Chicago Marathon:
Course is unrelentingly Flat: Training on flat roads taught me that you need more muscular endurance than you think. Hill training helps, but so does back-to-back flat long runs. Mix in different speed work to activate each parts of your legs and prepare those muscles for the big day.
Practice frequent fueling: In training, I learned to treat every 2 miles as a cue. Sip, fuel, reset. It made race day automatic. This will vary based on your coaches recommendations to ensure you get to the finish line without bonking.
Be weather-ready: One year it was humid, another year it was chilly and windy. I ran in 85+ degrees and had to prepare by adjusting pace and staying hydrated. Stay agile! Pack for both, and practice in layers.
Key Course Highlights (with a finisher’s eye)
2025 Chicago Marathon Course
The course, as I mentioned, is FLAT. This is a great course if you are aiming for a PR or even as your first marathon.
Here is how to break it down:
The Start (The Loop): GPS will go wild among the skyscrapers. When I ran it, I ignored my watch and ran by feel until we hit Lincoln Park. Soak it in, but remember to start slower than you think you need to. It is too early to go out blazing!
Miles 4–8 (Lincoln Park & Old Town): This is where I found my rhythm. Great crowd support, but calmer than downtown. Perfect for dialing into pace and ticking down those miles.
Miles 14–16 (West Loop & Greek Town): The noise here is unreal. I remember checking myself: “Don’t get greedy, stay smooth.” There is a lot of race left so check your pace and make sure you have been fueling and hydrating.
Miles 18–21 (Pilsen): Honestly one of the most fun marathon stretches anywhere. The cheering lifted me when my legs were questioning everything. If you have headphones on, turn them off for this part!
Mile 21 (Chinatown): A mental checkpoint. I knew if I fueled well up to here, I could survive Michigan Ave. This is where the mental game kicks in. Start to pick out other runners to slowly pass. Make it a game to keep your mind occupied. If you have a killer music mix, now is the time to turn it up.
Miles 23–26 (Michigan Avenue): It feels endless. I leaned hard on mantras here. Mine was “Strong, smooth, forward.” Every block closer, the roar grew louder. Start smiling through it! You are about to cross that finish line!
Grant Park finisher’s area: The first time I sat down here post-race, medal in hand, I felt like I’d earned every blade of grass. You did it! Take a moment to yourself to soak in all of your hard work.
Post-Race Fuel & Celebration
Dinner:
Deep dish (Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s): After my race, pizza never tasted so good.
Portillo’s: A classic Chicago stop if you are not ready for a heavy deep dish meal. Salty, hearty, and well-earned.
Drinks:
Half Acre / Revolution Brewing: There is usually beer at the finish line, but if you need to top off the night, this is one of the places to go. I’ll never forget that first celebratory beer with sore legs and a medal around my neck.
Breakfast (Day After):
Beatrix: When I needed something lighter and fresher the next morning, this was a lifesaver.
Final Coach’s Word
For those racing in 10 days: protect your rest, hydration, and mindset. You’re ready!
For those looking ahead: train for the flat, practice fueling, and respect the course. Chicago rewards patience and discipline.
When I crossed that finish line, I knew Chicago would stay with me forever. And it will for you, too.
If Chicago is on your radar, or if you’ve got another marathon or race coming up, the right plan and support can make all the difference.
As a coach (and a Chicago finisher myself), I help runners train smarter, stay consistent, and show up ready on race day.
👟 Ready to start your journey?
Chicago Marathon Training Tips — Chicago Marathon Course Highlights — Marathon Coaching for Chicago & Beyond
