Running the Chicago Marathon for the first time is about much more than getting through 26.2 miles. Between packet pickup, getting around the city, managing race-morning nerves, navigating the course, and celebrating afterward, a little preparation can make the entire weekend feel much easier.
The tips below synthesize advice shared by Chicago runners, locals, and previous first-time marathoners, including practical lessons they said they wished they had known before race weekend.
1. Go to the Chicago Marathon Expo Earlier If You Can
One of the most consistent pieces of advice is simple: do not underestimate the expo.
Packet pickup itself may not take very long, but getting to McCormick Place, walking through the convention center, collecting your bib, and exploring merchandise or brand activations can turn into a much longer outing than expected.
Several runners recommended going as early in the weekend as your travel plans allow. Thursday was described as preferable to Friday, while Saturday can become especially busy. Later visits may also mean more time on your feet and less availability in popular apparel sizes.
That matters because the day before a marathon is usually not when you want to accidentally spend several extra hours walking.
A useful approach is to:
- Build extra travel time into your expo plan.
- Pick up your bib before browsing merchandise.
- Decide in advance whether you actually want to explore the full expo.
- Avoid turning packet pickup into an all-day sightseeing trip.
- If arriving Saturday, head to the expo as soon as practical rather than leaving it until late in the day.
If you forget gels or another race-day essential, one local in the discussion also mentioned that runners staying downtown may be able to find running supplies at specialty running stores in the city rather than hauling everything through the expo.
2. Use Chicago Public Transit and Your Feet
For getting around downtown, local runners strongly favored public transit and walking over relying on rideshares.
Traffic can make a short-looking trip surprisingly slow, particularly during a major event weekend. The train can often provide a more predictable way to move between downtown, the airport, neighborhoods, and race-related destinations.
There is one important exception: getting to the expo can still take longer than expected. McCormick Place requires some planning, and even after arriving nearby, you may have more walking ahead of you.
The broader lesson is not that you must avoid Uber or taxis entirely. It is to avoid assuming that driving is automatically faster.
If you are staying downtown, familiarize yourself with your most important routes before race morning:
- Hotel to the start area
- Hotel to the expo
- Finish area back to your hotel
- Restaurants or grocery stores you plan to use before the race
Knowing those routes in advance removes one more decision from an already busy weekend.
3. Consider Staying Close to the Start and Finish
One runner suggested staying near the start and finish if it fits your budget and travel plans.
The advantage becomes especially obvious after the race. Being able to finish, walk back to your accommodation, shower, eat, and rest without a complicated trip across the city can be a major convenience.
Chicago also has the benefit of having the start and finish in roughly the same central area, which can simplify marathon-day logistics compared with races that require long pre-race transportation or a point-to-point journey.
4. Make Your Pre-Race Dinner Plans Before Saturday Night
Chicago Marathon weekend brings a huge number of runners, families, spectators, and visitors into the city.
If you have a specific restaurant in mind for your pre-race meal, make a reservation rather than assuming you will find a table at peak dinner time.
This is particularly useful around the Loop and other busy central areas.
More importantly, race weekend is probably not the best time to make dramatic changes to your normal fueling routine. Enjoy Chicago, but keep your pre-race meal familiar enough that you know how your body responds to it.
There will be plenty of time for celebratory Chicago food after you finish.
5. Keep Saturday Low-Stress and Stay Off Your Feet
It can be tempting to turn the day before the marathon into a full sightseeing day. Previous runners suggested resisting that temptation.
One particularly clever recommendation from the discussion was an architecture boat tour. It allowed the runner to experience Chicago while spending much of the time sitting rather than walking around the city.
Whatever you choose, the principle is useful: enjoy race weekend without exhausting yourself before race morning.
A relaxed Saturday could include packet pickup, an easy meal, a short sightseeing activity, preparing your race kit, and getting back to your hotel with plenty of time to unwind.
6. Bring Throwaway Clothes for the Start
Chicago mornings near the lake can feel cold and windy, especially when you are standing around rather than running.
Multiple runners recommended bringing inexpensive or old layers to wear while waiting in the start area. A hoodie, sweatpants, blanket, or similarly warm clothing can make the pre-race wait much more comfortable.
You can remove the extra layer shortly before starting rather than spending the morning shivering in your race kit.
This is one of those small Chicago Marathon tips that may seem unnecessary while packing but can feel extremely valuable when you are standing outside before sunrise.
7. Make the Bathroom Line Part of Your Race-Morning Plan
The porta-potty discussion was another recurring theme.
One strategy shared by a previous runner was to enter the runner village, go directly to a bathroom line, use the facilities, and then get back in line again if necessary.
That may sound excessive until thousands of runners are all trying to do the same thing.
Give yourself time and keep track of your corral schedule. Once waves begin moving, the morning can progress quickly.
Another runner suggested that anyone who needs a bathroom stop after starting may find shorter lines farther into the course than at the earliest locations. Treat that as a runner's anecdotal observation rather than a guarantee, since race-day conditions can change.
8. Do Not Panic When Your GPS Watch Acts Strangely
Chicago's downtown buildings and tunnels can interfere with GPS reception.
Runners in the discussion warned that Garmin and other GPS watches may produce unusual pacing or distance readings during the opening downtown miles. One runner also highlighted the return into downtown around halfway as another potentially tricky section.
Instead of constantly adjusting your pace because your watch suddenly displays an odd number, use the official course mile markers as your reference.
Some experienced runners manually lap their watches at mile markers to keep their pace data more useful.
Most importantly, do not allow unreliable GPS readings to convince you to surge early.
9. The Excitement Will Make You Want to Run Too Fast
The opening miles of Chicago can feel electric.
Crowds, tunnels, music, other runners, and race-day adrenaline can make marathon pace feel almost effortless.
That is exactly why several runners warned first-timers: do not go out too fast.
A marathon rarely punishes you immediately for an aggressive opening. The consequences usually appear many miles later.
Let other runners surge ahead. Enjoy the atmosphere without racing every person around you. Your goal during the early miles is to settle into the effort you planned during training.
Chicago's energy will still be there later when you need it more.
10. Be Careful on Chicago's Bridges
Another course-specific tip involves the city's bridges.
Previous participants noted that some bridges include metal-grate surfaces, with carpeted sections provided for runners. They recommended using the carpet where available, watching the runners around you, and picking up your feet rather than shuffling across.
Trips and falls can also happen around uneven pavement, so keep some attention on the ground even when the crowd is pulling your eyes toward the scenery.
This may be particularly worth remembering when running in highly responsive racing shoes, when your legs are tired, or when you are moving through a congested group.
11. Put Your Name on Your Shirt
Want more crowd support?
One simple recommendation from a previous finisher was to print your name on your race shirt.
Chicago spectators are known among the runners in the discussion for showing up enthusiastically along the course. Having your name visible gives strangers something personal to shout when you run past.
Late in a marathon, hearing your own name from the sidewalk can be a welcome boost.
12. Enjoy the Neighborhoods Instead of Staring at Your Watch
One of the most repeated themes in the source was how much runners enjoyed the atmosphere of Chicago itself.
Different parts of the course bring different crowds and personalities. Previous finishers encouraged first-timers to actually look around, interact with spectators, and take in each neighborhood rather than spending the entire marathon focused on splits.
That is particularly useful advice for your first Chicago Marathon. You only get one first time.
Some comments joked about accepting alcohol offered along the course, while another runner specifically recommended enjoying the energy in areas such as Pilsen without taking the tequila, particularly on a hot race day.
You do not need every unofficial on-course offering to experience the party.
13. Save Something for the Final Climb
Late in the race comes the famous final push around Roosevelt Road, sometimes jokingly referred to by runners as "Mount Roosevelt."
After an otherwise relatively flat marathon, even a modest incline can feel enormous at that stage.
Know that it is coming.
Rather than fearing it, treat it as a landmark: once you climb it, you are extremely close to finishing. Runners in the discussion described the energy near the final stretch toward Michigan Avenue as one of the highlights of the race.
This is the moment to use whatever you have left and take in the crowd.
14. Give Your Spectators a Specific Meeting Plan
If friends or family are watching, do not rely entirely on spontaneous communication during the race.
Crowds, road closures, and your changing pace can make coordination difficult.
One runner specifically suggested South Michigan Avenue as a potential spectator location if family members arrive early.
Wherever your supporters choose to watch, agree in advance on:
- Which side of the street they will stand on
- A nearby landmark
- Approximately when they expect you
- Whether they will try to see you at more than one point
The more precise the plan, the better your chances of actually spotting each other.
15. You Do Not Need to Buy Every Race Add-On Immediately
First-time marathon excitement can make every photo package, souvenir, engraving, and race-weekend extra feel essential.
The original discussion included runners questioning whether some upgrades were worth purchasing immediately. For race photos in particular, commenters suggested previewing available images before deciding whether to buy rather than automatically purchasing a package in advance.
The same principle applies to souvenirs: buy what will genuinely matter to you, not what race-weekend excitement tells you that you need.
Your medal and memories will already be coming home with you.
16. Do Not Skip Medal Monday
Your marathon experience does not have to end at the finish line.
Several previous runners strongly recommended wearing your medal around Chicago on Monday.
Expect tired legs and a slower walking pace, but embrace it. Other finishers will be doing exactly the same thing, and the day becomes an informal celebration of everyone who completed the race.
Wear the medal. Take photos. Get breakfast. Walk slowly. Exchange congratulations with other runners.
After months of training, you have earned a day to enjoy what you accomplished.
The Best First Chicago Marathon Tip: Actually Experience It
Logistics matter. Pacing matters. Bathroom strategy, GPS problems, expo timing, bridges, and warm clothes all matter.
But one of the strongest messages from previous Chicago runners was much simpler: enjoy the race while it is happening.
Interact with the crowd. Look at the neighborhoods. Notice the noise. Let yourself feel the excitement when you approach the finish.
You can analyze your splits later.
Your first Chicago Marathon only happens once.