Chicago Marathon - Oct 8th 2023

I'll be there hopefully 😀

Qualified for Chicago with my Boston Marathon time from last April.

Looking forward to the training block over the summer.

Must start looking at flights next month. Probably Shannon-Chicago.

I'll have the wife and two small kids in tow.

Where are the best places that they can watch me run by a few times on the course without having to travel too far?

MtM

Something like that. They will be able to walk along the river walk at whacker drive. Its very front loaded but In theory they could see you three times in the space of 250m. The meet up area after is where I've put an X.

Without kids it's quite easy to jump on the L (the train) and head down to China Town which is around Mile 20, suppose it depends on how old the kids are.

Hi all, just booked my flights, now looking for accommodation. The one above is sold out unfortunately.

Looking forward to seeing Chicago but I’ve been there before so I’m sure where is a good location in terms to ease of access to the start/ finish line.

I couldn’t arrive any earlier than Friday evening so I hope I can escape any jet lag before the race.

Have serious fomo now.

Loved this race last year, but couldn't justify doing it 2 years in a row. Definitely considering it again in 2024

Thanks for all your replies. I managed to get an apartment at North Wells st. Looking at google maps it is 10 mins to the start line in a car or 20 minutes using public transport so seems well positioned. The apartment seems to on the route too.

Starting the marathon specific training next week - looking forward to getting started.

I did the 5k and really enjoyed it, gave me an indication of how your watch would react during the race.

That's something to note your watch will be absolutely useless for the first 5k at least.

I'd wanted to do Kofuzi's run but it clashed with it, I'd also add the tracksmith shake out which was later in the day.

Last year, the Bulls were playing a pre-season game on the Friday night too. The schedule might not yet be announced, or they might not just not have a basketball game, a day after a hockey game. Think the Bulls and Blackhawks share a stadium

Was just glancing back on my photos from last year. I travelled solo by the way, so this might not be applicable to everyone.

For anyone who enjoys beer, I thoroughly recommend going to Rossi's at some point.

https://rossischicago.com/

Its a terrible looking, pokey, small dive bar, but excellent inside.

From the outside, you might not even think it's open. Hundreds of different canned beers available. You just walk to the fridge, grab what you want, and bring it up to the bar and pay.

Its cash only too. See to remember it being about 7bucks a beer.

I went their on the Monday evening. Lots of runners in there. You can tell, as they're all still wearing their medals. It was the only place I found, where people were really mingling, and chatting to everyone.

I had tried a few other places before, and it was a struggle to get chatting with strangers

Thanks, that’s good to know. It’s only half a mile from where I’m staying so might pop in.

Flying over myself Friday morning returning Tuesday afternoon with the wife also - looking forward to it.

Have you decided if you’re doing the 5km Saturday morning or will you do an way jog yourself?

Good deal, especially if it applies to the commuter trains that go to the Expo venue (the subway/el system is quite a distance). I remember having to buy seperate tickets for that train.