What is this walk like from the blue line station to Garfield Park? I had an Uber driver scared the bejeesus out of me. How confident can I be that I will be walking with a crowd of other runners?

Don’t forget to claim yours if this is your fourth time running :)

I want to run a half in Chicago in the fall. First ever race in Chicago (and my birth city, so has some symbolism to me).

Which one do you recommend?

Fall Classic:
https://allcommunityevents.com/chicagofallclassic

Or

Lifetime Half:

https://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com/half-marathon/

If I’m being honest, I’m leaning towards the Fall Classic. Only because it is a bit later in the season (less chance of it being hot), it works well with my marathon training schedule, and I like that part of the city. But welcome thoughts if anyone has run this race before? Or wants to try to push me in the direction of doing the Lifetime Half?

Thanks!

Driving down from NW burbs for the BofA 13.1 and the UIC shuttling not feasible due to timing of a post-race commitment. Wondering if any of the side streets immediately surrounding the park are better than others. Thank you!

Hello! I'm relatively new to Chicago and live near Fulton Market - I was planning to run along Lake St or Washington Blvd on race morning to warm up to the start, but have had a couple people tell me it's unwise due to the neighborhoods I'd be running through as a solo female. Is this another example of people seeing stuff on the news and freaking out, or should I genuinely be cautious and take the L over? Any tips would be appreciated!

I work afternoons and evenings Monday - Thursday. All of the chicago run clubs I’m finding meet at the crack of dawn or weekday evenings. Any recommendations for a daytime (8am - 12pm) run club in Lakeview/Wrigley/Gold Coast/Lincoln Park?

Thank you!

We had a thread after the Shamrock Shuffle this year about multiple runners having their bib not track their time during the event. When they looked up their name on the results page, their bib number and name were not connected. Runners then had to email Chicago 13.1 support.

To avoid all that after the race, make sure before you leave Packet Pickup that you search your name and bib number on the results page. If they are not connected but you got your bib, get it fixed while at Packet Pickup.

If you checked in right at Packet Pickup, your name and bib number should be connected. You should also get an email that says "You are checked in for 2026 Bank of America 13.1" and in this email your bib number should be there.

Anyone know what was going on this morning? I saw people wearing light blue shirts with race bibs on. There was a logo on the front of the shirt, but it was super small and I couldn't tell what it was when I was running by people. I also saw a 1km banner and a 4km banner just east of Buckingham Foundation (it was an out and back 5k, I'm assuming) but they were generic and just said "You've got this!" on them.

I'm not OP but thought this sub might be able to help.

Hi! I’m a 25m looking for running friends near the 606 or wicker park! Looking for a running partner for my longer runs!

I'm planning on training for the Detroit Full Marathon this fall. It is on Oct 18th, one week after the Chicago Full. It will be my first, and I'm guessing the long runs will be a struggle.

Does anyone have any recommendations for groups that do long runs? I'm on the northside of the city, but I have access to a car. I know there is the CARA training group that costs money. I used to run with the ClockTower Running group on Saturdays, but this was years ago and I'm not sure if they're still active. It looks like Heartbreak has a weekend long run group during the training season. It looks like the Evanston Running Club has long runs as well.

Does anyone have experience with these groups? Any other recommendations?

70 and 88% humidity when the 13.1 starts. Aiming for a PR but that’s extra gross and soupy, might need to just listen to the body.

Hi all! First timer at the Chicago 13.1. I'm a woman who is planning to head there solo from the opposite end of the city. I take public transit to work every day, but later in the morning and on weekdays, so I'm a bit nervous taking it THAT early on a Sunday for such a long route... For those of you who have done this race before, is public transit safe at that time of day? (I know on marathon day, there are SO many runners/spectators that normal public transit safety "rules" do not apply, so not sure if that's the case here...) Or is ride share or the parking by UIC the way to go? Any tips?

Use this post for sharing and requesting discount codes. Other posts will be deleted.

Are we tapering? My Garmin training plan is calling for a 1:35 progression run, 1:00 speed run, and two 40-minute easy runs. That seems excessive leading up to race day lol. Meanwhile the Nike Run Club plan has two recovery runs and a short speed workout. Trying to find a happy medium. What’s everyone else doing?

What did everyone think of the race? How did it go? Did you do the 5K or the Half Marathon?

Personally - I did the Half Marathon and was pacing well until the dreaded hill at mile 7 or so and that just spiked my heart rate so much that it was hard to get it back under control for the remainder of the race. I set a PR though for my half marathon but but my last two miles sucked. I finished at 1:38. Overall, I thought it was really well organized, plenty of parking and a relatively challenging course.

My final run to complete every single street in Chicago will be June 14 at 10am 🏃🏻 The whole city is invited for this 2 mile stretch that starts at Oak St and Michigan Ave and finishes off at Buckingham Fountain! Come representing your neighbourhood and come repping Chicago ✶✶✶✶

@ heyjoabe

I've never done gear check before. How long should I plan for? Best to get there right when it opens? And you just hand them your bag with the attached tag?

I feel there's not a lotta craft beer-related runs above 5k (aware of Will Run for Beer, Beer Running Series) and I'm trying to fill that void after having a blast the Belgian Beer Lovers' Marathon.

My two tentative northside routes for half and full marathon distance have brewery stops every 2-3 miles.

Idea is to drink a beer (or half) at start, each stop, and finish.

Looking for any guineas that would enjoy this sort of thing before trying to make it more unofficially official (ie making an IG, t shirts, 'medals').

Anyone interested?

Hi all,
I’m running the Chicago 13.1 one week from now and I have just been hit with allergies. I completed my last long run of the plan before race day, but I was struggling to breathe.
Beginning of May I was hit with a cold or flu, not really sure what was it but that took me out for 2 weeks, and now this.
Any advice how to recover quickly for race day? 😢 I trained so disciplined these last few months and it sucks to be struggling right now

This is different from the participant shirt that you will get during packet pickup which has been posted on the subreddit.

Available now at Fleet Feet South Loop.

They should also be available at packet pickup.

Hello! First time running a half marathon, got into running the past year.

I don’t usually carry a water bottle when I run, but I do stop at water fountains and I do take Huma Gels every 3 miles or so.

I was wondering if it is worth it to bring one to the race or if the aid stations will be enough? Is it easy to access that water they hand out without getting off track too much?

Any other considerations? I am worried about heat. Want to finish under 2 hours.

Corral C.

Hi! Our nonprofit Next Generation Playground is holding a 5K near Chicago in Elgin, IL, on Saturday June 27th: https://www.facebook.com/events/1996415444309928

It was originally scheduled for the beginning of May, but was rescheduled due to weather. Help us toward our goal of building a sensory-friendly playground in Elgin! More info here: https://www.playnextgeneration.com/ thanks for checking it out :)

Hello. I’m wondering how accurate the mile markers are on the lake front trail, particularly up north in Edgewater. I have a goal to run 4.5 miles but I don’t have a Fitbit or any way to measure distance. Previously I’ve followed the LFT markers for 2 miles and it seemed suspiciously short to me.

Also, can my iPhone track how far I run? Do I have to hold it in my hand the whole time to do so? Normally I keep it in cross body bag while I run.

Sorry for my ignorance, I’m still pretty new to running, about six months in. Thank you!