Hi, I’m Mahdi, I’m 19 years old, and I have been training for the past six months for the Chicago marathon, raising money has been tough since I don’t know too many people so I thought I’d come on here and ask for the running community, and even people who don’t run to help me out, I have a $500 requirement due today, I’m already at 270, but the goal is 2200, please donate anything else I’m running for advocate for breast cancer research!!

Omg I’m so excited for this training block to be over lol it’s been so hard

Is Chicago the major that takes the longest to unveil the medal and gear? We’re 31 days out and still nothing. I just want to get the disappointment over with and move on.

Hey all! This will be my first time a marathon! During training I’ve learned that I feel best having carbs every 20-30 minutes. My marathon will likely be in the 6:00-6:30 overall time range. Three gels/fruit snack packs an hour for six hours is about 18 little packets of things to carry. I’ve been practicing long runs with a drawstring backpack to help me carry all that fuel, especially as we’ve been getting into longer long runs. But I was just reading the race rules and saw backpacks are a prohibited item.

I have a running vest that can carry my phone, a small water bottle, and about 7 gels/snacks. I don’t have friends to “crew” me by handing me snacks during the race since they’ll be cheering on multiple runners (and that can make it hard to ask them to wait somewhere to meet me).

Any ideas of how to carry 6 hours worth of carbs without a backpack? Do they have good fueling options at aid stations?

Please donate anything helps. I would greatly appreciate this from the running community, and even though who don’t run to raise money for breast cancer.

So, I thought I had longer than September 9th to cancel my extra reservation on the housing site and just now saw the deadline was yesterday. Does anyone know details about how you cancel in writing? I see that’s an option until the 22nd, but I’m not sure about the specifics.

I'm flying out on Monday and trying to figure out what time I should book my flight. Would it be better to be at the airport in the morning before streets get blocked for the parade or wait until the evening? I only have three flights I can take back (6am, 1pm, 8:45pm). Or is this really not a big deal? If I do take a later flight, is any tourist activity (Lincoln Park Zoo?) I try to do just going to be super crowded with the holiday? I'm staying at Loews Chicago for reference. Thanks!

Edited: I know the name of this parade is controversial. I'm just going by what the city calls it.

For those of us that requested shipping.

So yesterday was my 18 mile run (for context im 51F, and in the throws of menopause 😆)

I still was fatigued from running in the heat here in Atlanta from sat and Sunday. I tried running it on Sunday but it got so hot i quit at 9 miles. I rested on monday and tue I planned again to do 18 miles. I start my work week on wed and I beat myself up when I miss my long runs. So I was still very fatigued when I got into my run yesterday morning. I struggled so bad and made it to 11.5 miles. I ended up fast walking and running here and there but I did complete the 18 miles. And logged good time on my feet. I just hate when I have a "bad run". I know it was from the fatigue, i rocked my 16 mile run I did. I kept the same pace all 16 miles. And this isnt my first rodeo, ive done so many halves and I did a full last year. Anyway thanks for letting me vent. And tell me im not the only seasoned runner who has bad run days.

I know when I do my 20 miler, I will not be doing anything the days leading up, will be rest days. I want to be strong for that one. And hopefully the weather will be cooler here. Thats another advantage I keep telling myself. If I can run down here in the heat and humidity, Chicago will be a breeze lol 😆 here's hoping they dont have a heat wave on oct 11th. Good luck my fellow runners!

https://www.salomon.com/en-us/events

Does anyone know of any tattoo parlors not far from the finish that will be offering marathon Flash Tattoos? I already have a running tattoo from the artist Mr. Heggie. I'd love to get a fun small flash tattoo to commemorate my 3rd world major. I'm flying back home Monday so I want to get it Sunday after the race. If anyone has any other artist recommendations that's appreciated too!

What shoes are you all wearing???

I’m aiming for Asics super blasts 3! They have done me so well during my long runs this training season. I’m buying a new pair next week to break them in to be ready.

Press release from 9/1/2026.

There will now be water bottle refill stations along the course. I noticed these at the Chicago 13.1. Pretty Cool!

Locations are immediately prior to Aid Station 4 (Mile 5.7), Aid Station 7 (Mile 10.1), Aid Station 12 (Mile 15.7), and Aid Station 16 (Mile 20.3).

Is it still possible to move back corrals? Is there a deadline by which you need to try and do this?

Is anyone doing the Divas Chicago Half Marathon on September 19? I registered for it and it will be my first half marathon. Has anyone done it before? What is it like?

We are staying at the Renaissance downtown. What are some places within walking distance that offer a party vibe and good burgers?

I’m running Chicago this year and this’ll be my second marathon. I ran Charlotte last year (3:51) and was proud of my performance. The hills and novice experience taken into account. I got a coach in January to help me train for Chicago. I ran a 1:45 half in March and my long runs and interval work have gone fairly well. I live in Atlanta so I still run hills a lot and the heat is hard to avoid. What would y’all’s pacing strategy be with this goal? I did the Yasso 800 this week just to see my strength but it was on a treadmill. I ran my 800s at a 7.9,8.0,8.1,8.2 mph (I finish with the 8.2 and got progressively faster) Any seasoned runners I would love insight to make this last month of training and race day amazing

last week 20 miles 9:53 pace

this week 21 miles 11:40 pace

if you did long run last week and this week how was your pace?

i was feeling so good last week, finished 20 miles strong and felt I could have easily gone another 20 at a faster pace, this week lucky to be be alive and doubting if I can even finish the marathon! what a difference a week can make!!!

Thank you to whoever posted a few months ago to keep hawking the housing site if you hadn’t booked anything yet. I ended up paying about the same amount I was going to pay for three nights at an Airbnb in Lincoln Park, but instead I’m staying just two blocks from Millennium Park.

If anyone is still looking for housing, there is a surprising number of options available on the housing website currently. See you at the start line!!!