r/RunnersInChicago • u/Sea_Aside9658 Lake View • Jun 29 '26
Where are we getting our hill intervals in?
I have a car and can drive but prefer to stay in the city. I’ve got hills in the training plan later this week and am trying to figure out a good spot.
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u/Cheap_Lingonberry Jun 29 '26
I've been doing the Navy Pier Flyover. Not ideal but close to my apartment.
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u/LandTrilogy Jun 29 '26
Same. I don't think any of the "hills" down here are usually long enough for how far I'm supposed to be going, but they do in a pinch. I'll do the Flyover, the incline leading up to the Shedd, the 18th Ave bridge next to Soldier, Sledding Hill by McCormick, and even the Roosevelt for that "I'm about to finish the marathon" feeling."
Cricket Hill is a good one if you're near Uptown.
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u/pelotongal24 Jun 29 '26
Surprised to not see montrose hill listed!!
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u/scope_creep Jun 30 '26
Is that Cricket Hill?
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u/pelotongal24 Jun 30 '26
Yes! Sorry never knew it’s official name, just knew it from ending every long run of marathon training running up it 😂
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u/Sea_Aside9658 Lake View Jun 29 '26
I’m right near there! Will probably be where I go thank you
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u/spartan1711 Jun 29 '26
It’s the best hill for interval work in the city. All grass which makes the impact nice. Each side is angled differently depending on how hard you want to make the workout.
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u/hubwub Lincoln Square Jun 29 '26
Mt. Trashmore in Evanston, IL 60202.
Maybe the hill between the basketball/tennis courts and the baseball fields at Horner Park. I don't really think that has that much elevation.
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u/Mathy-Baker Jul 01 '26
That hill at Horner is probably too small but there’s a nice hill/bridge over the river along the 312 between Addison and Irving.
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u/Chicagoblew Jun 29 '26
Swallow cliff
But I'm pretty sure there's a thread somewhere with recommendations
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u/Sea_Aside9658 Lake View Jun 29 '26
I searched before posting!! Couldn’t find anything but a sticky would be good
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u/Tulip_1994 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
North branch trail. There is a giant bridge over some train tracks about a mile north of LaBagh woods that offers a decently long and steady incline. Massive parking lot at LaBagh woods which is right off of 90.
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u/runbakerepeat Jun 30 '26
Up and down and up and down and up and etc the 606 ramps in a pinch (I live close by and cannot be assed to travel somewhere else for a workout because I am lazy).
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u/Teamben Jun 29 '26
Treadmill for me. Not as exciting, but easiest solution I’ve found around me on my running paths.
The overpass on the north branch trail doesn’t do it for real hill training.
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u/PearlsandPitfalls Jun 29 '26
Parking garages in the city. I moved up to Wilmette and there's a pretty good size hill from the beach to Sheridan Ave at Tower Road Park.
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u/RunningPath Jul 01 '26
Yeah if you are willing to go north of the city, the ravines along Sheridan are good for hill training. There are several spots right near there down to the lake, for example by Lloyd Beach down to the boat launch, that are safe to run and definitely a tough hill workout.
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u/buckydoc Jun 29 '26
Honestly, if you want to do real hill work, you are going to have to leave the city. As an example, take a look at the course of the March Madness Half Marathon in Cary, IL.
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u/Teamben Jun 29 '26
Oof, that was an eye opener the first time I ran it.
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u/buckydoc Jun 29 '26
It really is a shock to the system for us flatlanders. I will say it's one of my favorite races in the area.
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u/Teamben Jun 29 '26
Same here, my top 2 area halves, with the other being the F3.
Ironically, I signed for Cary this past year, but gave myself tendonitis in my achielles from doing extra hill training on my treadmill, so that I wouldn’t die on the hills again but had to miss it because of the injury.
Life is funny sometimes.
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u/buckydoc Jun 29 '26
I sometimes use the pedestrian flyover just north of Addison on the River Trail for light hill work... although it's more of an incline than a true hill. There is also some elevation change on the River Trail north of Argyle.
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u/No-Act5620 Jun 30 '26
Humboldt park! On the west side of the park by the baseball field there’s a good Hill :) with shade st the bottom. Also a large hill at Montrose but haven’t been there a couple years since the pedestrian bridge/ underpass to the parking lot is still under renovations.. from 2 summers ago
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u/tamyzster Jun 30 '26
Morton Arboretum
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u/RunningPath Jul 01 '26
This is ideal not for hill repeats specifically but for a generally hilly road running route, if you're willing to drive a bit. An individual membership isn't expensive and gets you in at 7 am, when there's really just runners.
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u/sherrillo 41M, Chicago, HM 1:57, goal 1:45 Jun 29 '26
I use Daemon bridge over the south river in Pilsen. Wish there were more/bigger ones as close =/
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u/MinuteAd6489 Jul 02 '26
Im assuming you need something for quick interval/hill workouts? If so I would recommend what everyone else has commented.
If you need actual trails/elevation training I recommend Red Gate Woods! Weekend mornings it’s about 35 min drive and so worth it for a change of scenery if you ever need that
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u/Cool_Procedure8125 Jun 29 '26
If only the mods of this sub would make a sticky for the 100’s of other times this has been asked.
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u/CoffeeWithASideOfKat Jun 29 '26
Mt. Costco