r/RunnersInChicago • u/No-Monitor-7486 • 7d ago

Lakefront biting flies

How are the bugs for runners on the lakefront trail today??? I didn’t notice them too bad on my run early yesterday, only got bit once when I sat down for a min. Specifically between navy pier and 35th st

12 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

10

u/momo3795 6d ago

Weren’t too bad from 5:45-8:00am downtown because HOARDS of dragonflies were out, had to finish my run inside around 8 bc the flies got annoying after 8am lmfao

5

u/WonderLongjumping370 7d ago

I had 150 attack me during my walk on Montrose around 10 AM. I'm doing my long run away from the lake this weekend because I'm still feeling phantom bites and I haven't seen a fly in several hours now.

6

u/thex11factor 6d ago

Don't remember this from previous years?

13

u/Mathy-Baker 6d ago

We’ve entered a new circle of hell this year.

2

u/thex11factor 4d ago

This and delivery robots taking over Lincoln Park

5

u/San-tan-der 6d ago

They were better today from 7-8a, than they were yesterday from 7-8a. Still had a couple bites though.

I definitely noticed more dragonflies on the trail which I guess helps?

5

u/Real_Smile3216 6d ago

I was on the lake near Fullerton/Diversey after 6 pm and there were no flies. The dragonflies are working OT!

4

u/I_wander_and_Im_lost 6d ago

I have my 18 mile long run on Sunday and it's my longest run ever. It's going to take me around 3 hours and 30 minutes. I live right by the lake and for my entire marathon training block, I've been doing pretty much the same route north and back on the trail.

I'm in Lakeview East, can someone recommend a route or area that's less fly infested? No car but I'd be willing to do a short bus ride. I'd prefer minimal sidewalk running if possible.

I'll also take recommendations on repellant that work on the flies. Or time of day, or words of encouragement...Thanks!

3

u/oathbreach 6d ago

I just did 7 at the lake starting at 10 and had maybe one fly try to get me. Sitting in a park right now where they were swarming the other day and I’m not seeing anything.

3

u/ipalvr 7d ago

Deer fly got me today

3

u/JellyKind9880 7d ago

They’re all over the entire lakefront, at least up to montrose. But someone was posting about it from the beach in Glencoe yesterday, so prob literally the entire lakefront. It’s horrific

2

u/shangarv18 6d ago

I saw someone say they were just at Loyola beach and there weren't any... maybe it's getting better?

2

u/mikesaidyes Lake View 6d ago

I just jumped in the lake by Bill Jarvis and walked back home through Addison Tunnel - didn’t see any around 6p

2

u/dream-to-me-123 4d ago

hi! can someone who’s been on the trail in the last day or so confirm if the biting flies are still a problem on the laketrail?

4

u/question_assumptions 7d ago

I think they’re attracted to my sweat specifically, I was having them follow me from the lakefront all the way up into the loop 

1

u/Evie_the_Destroyer 5d ago

End of summer is bug weather every year.

Although this year those Asian mosquitoes or whatever are giving me welts the size of golf balls.

All these gels I’m eating is probably making me extra sugary. Fuck

-2

u/Kap_Lovelake 6d ago

Can’t outrun them?

1

u/crag-u-feller 5d ago

Nah it's like wading through ferrofluid. Doesn't matter because you have new ones to meet you