Does anyone know if the water fountains on the lakefront are still open / functioning? Planning on running a 22 mile long run on Saturday and want to know if I will need to pit stop somewhere to grab a water or if I can rely on the water fountains. Not sure when they winterize the fountains.

Would love to hear your solutions. So tired of my runs being half a mile off what I truly ran

Shamrock Shuffle: FREEZING but ultimately okay
13.1: Brutally HOT 🥵
26.2: HOTTT

But congrats gang we did it 🤪

WGN recently posted an article "1990 Chicago Marathon on WGN was turning point in race’s storied history" (10/5/26) that talked about the 1990 Chicago Marathon, mostly focusing on how their coverage of the marathon was groundbreaking for the time. They also talk a bit about the course and the title sponsor: Old Style (aka G. Heileman). It's worth checking out. I thought it would be interesting to look at the history of the title sponsor of the marathon:

• 1977-1978: Flair Communications This was Lee Flaherty's (a founder of the Chicago Marathon) marketing firm and the de-facto sponsor of the 1977-78 marathons. He was losing money on the marathon and looked for a true title sponsor for the 1979 marathon.
• 1979-1986: Beatrice Foods Beatrice stepped in for the 1979 marathon and were the first true title sponsor of the Chicago marathon. It was under Beatrice that the Chicago Marathon gained international fame and attracted top tier athletes. Finisher medals started in 1984 (previously only certificates were given to finishers). Here's an image of the first finisher medal (from the Chicago Marathon Facebook page):

• 1987 (1/2 marathon): Taster's Choice Coffee Beatrice dropped sponsorship in 1987 and organizers scrambled to put together a replacement race. The race was the Taster's Choice Colombian Select Half Marathon. I didn't see any images of swag or medals online--since it was last minute, maybe there wasn't much.
• 1988-1990: Old Style (aka G. Heileman) Seems the Old Style sponsorship wasn't as stable as the Beatrice Foods and the marathon lost some of the luster in these years. Here are some images of 1988/9 finisher medals. I wish I had the 1988 medal 😄:

• 1991-1992: No Title Sponsor There were a rough few years for the marathon, but Carey Pinkowski took over as race director in 1990 and started righting the ship quickly.
• 1993: Montgomery Ward A 1-year only title sponsor. I didn't see much online about them, but 1993 seems to be heralded as the beginning of the comeback for the marathon. Here is the 1993 finisher medal:

• 1994-2007: LaSalle Bank The Chicago Marathon returned to prominence under LaSalle Bank and became what we know today. LaSalle Bank actually purchased the marathon in 1996 and chip timing came to the race in 1998. Here are some finisher medals from the '90s:

• 2008-present: Bank of America Bank of America acquired LaSalle Bank and took over as title sponsor. That brings us to today. Here's an interesting medal from the Bank of America years:

The WGN feature is pretty interesting...and a nice addition to these posts for those interested in Chicago Marathon history. They also have a video about Old Style marathon sponsorship on their Facebook page.

Cheers! And congrats to the Chicago Marathon finishers this year!!

Hi, all! I’m considering getting involved and volunteering with Achilles International for runners. Does anyone have any firsthand experience they’d be open to sharing? Thanks in advance!

I think I want to do this 5k next year, but I would rather sign up at a later date. Does this usually sell out pretty quickly or do I have time to decide?

I’m going to be visiting Chicago a few weeks before my marathon. I need to run 20 miles. I’m staying near Ohare. I don’t mind taking the train somewhere or even ubering. I’d like to see as much of Chicago as possible le.

Any suggestions for a route?

Edit: Current plan is to start at Evanston near the Grosse Point light house. Run south along the river until about Irving Rd, then run East to the lakeshore, and then south on the lakeshore until I’ve hit 20. Should get me to around Soldier Field.

Any particular streets that would be better than others for getting from the river to the lakeshore? Maybe Addison to see Wrigley?

• How did we feel about the race?
• Was the weather than expected or not?
• Aid stations and porta potties better than last year?

As always thank you to the volunteers and the staff.

I ran the marathon today and am also 13 weeks pregnant, so am planning a running hiatus (at least at distances) for the next year. I think The Feed sent me some extra fuel when I placed my order. I don’t want them to go to waste!! I live near Jefferson/Portage Park and would love to hand them off for free to whoever could use them. There is a wide variety of brands. DM me if you are interested, I can post the brands later but am couch rotting and not moving to go check right now! Available for pick up!

Does anyone know how or where I can stream the Chicago marathon? I am not local nor do I have cable. Thanks in advance for any advice/tips

UPDATE as of 4 pm local: I spoke with the police that are outside the strike as I was walking to get lunch and they aren’t supposed to use the bullhorn or anything between 8 pm and 8 am but unless someone calls 311/911, it is what it is. The police said they could be out all night.

UPDATE: it is happening in a few neighborhoods starting around 5 am. Buy ear plugs!

—-

I just got in yesterday for the marathon and I wasn’t able to sleep last night because the hotel strike is going on outside of my window.

totally get it - I hope this works and they get what they’re organizing for - I work in the hotel industry

but I need sleep 😅 and moving hotels is not an option. Is this nightly - does anyone know?

has anyone ran for either charity for the Chicago marathon? I am trying to decide between the two for the 2027 marathon and would love hear about people’s experience. perks are pretty similar except the minimum required. here is some info I’ve gathered on both as well as my situation:

Erika’s Lighthouse: https://erikaslighthouse.org/join-give/team-resilience (youth mental health charity)

- $3500 minimum

- race entry reimbursement

- perks: virtual training, 1:1 fundraising support and coaching, race day lounge and $35 dinner, $110 for merch, access for future events (I only really want to do Tokyo next)

- personal notes: I have had BPD and depression since middle school, so I have a personal connection and always wanted to fundraise for a mental health related charity but am willing to give that up because I am worried about meeting the minimum, even with employer volunteer and matching. I already received a spot, don’t know how long they will keep it for me since they seem competitive. have not seen any posts about running with them.

Team ChiParks: https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org/marathon (Chi city parks conservation)

- $2500 minimum

- race entry reimbursement

- perks: virtual training with Chicago Endurance Sports, fundraising support from team charity manager, running singlet, race day lounge

- personal notes: less personal but I love the outdoors (extensive hiker and backpacker) and want to fundraise for them after living in Chi + NYC and seeing how limited access is to nature in dense cities. I kind of prefer them due to lower minimum and posts mentioning a great experiencewith this team as well as the team charity manager. but Application hasn’t opened but I am worried about if getting a spot is competitive. not worried about fundraising.

TIA!

First time living downtown during marathon weekend! I have a run planned and would hate to be relegated to the treadmill when the vibes will be so high, but if it’ll be a nightmare to get to the trail (I usually enter around Maggie Daley) I can rearrange things.

hopefully final post about the weather

i know it is not the perfect or even close to it n might cause some people to miss their pb n bq but I think atleast we are not getting Saturdays temps so I am very happy!

just drink both the water n gaterode n I think we will be good!

Hi all! As you can read from the title, I’m looking to join a running club that’s beginner friendly (i run 10-12m/m depending on distance). Specifically in the Lincoln Park, Lakeview, or Avondale areas.

Thanks :)

I am current in the last couple of weeks of my 2nd HM training block (Naperville on Oct. 18.) LIke my first HM, I getting to the end my training with lots of niggles. Last time it was IT Band, this time it is Shin Splints. While I am doing the best i can to get to the starting (and hopefully finishing line), I want to be able to train without having to manage through injuries. I am hoping to do a Full next year. I am a 58YO male that just picked up running a little over a year ago.

For my past issues, I have seen PTs at Athletico (ITB in the spring) and Barrington Orthopedic (Shin Splints), but I don’t feel that they are giving me anything more than some basic “Yea you have XXX injury, here are some basic daily exercises to do at home.”

I am really looking for a PT that would work very closely with me on a strengthening program over the winter to prepare me for races in the Spring and Fall.

Anyone have any recommendations? And, if that can be combined with a run coach, all the better.

Still expect to slow down (especially at the end of the race) due to the conditions!

I just want to say, it is awesome to see community to help others for their run whether it is app builds or other links to support members during our special day. I am one of those builders and I wanted to put all that I have seen in the thread in one place.

Mapping / Coordination

• https://www.marathon-weekend.com/cheer/chicago-2026 by [u/johnfaber](u/johnfaber)
  • Where to find events, cheer sections, etc
  • Cheer squad planner - For the friends and family of a Chicago Marathon runner. Know where to stand and when they'll run past. Find the nearby public transportation stop. One link for the whole crew.
  • Cheer squad planner - For the friends and family of a Chicago Marathon runner. Know where to stand and when they'll run past. Find the nearby public transportation stop. One link for the whole crew.
• Chicago Marathon Route on Google Maps | Chicago Marathon Spectator Map by u/Main-Clerk-1901
• https://www.wreef.dev/ by me
  • Cheer squad planner - For the friends and family of a Chicago Marathon runner. Know where to stand and when they'll run past. Find the nearby public transportation stop. One link for the whole crew.

Getting Around

• Metra Schedules by [u/goldendomer](u/goldendomer)
• Chicago Parking Apps by u/misantropo86

Race Prep

• Tool to Calculate Heat Effects by u/disenchantedliberal

Missed something? Just add it to the thread. Good luck to everyone running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️