2024 Chicago Marathon Race Experience
On Sunday, October 13th I ran my 7th Chicago Marathon. Somehow I knew this race would be life-changing and I wrote a whole series of blog postsleading up to the race (links below). This year’s running was full of lessons about being a runner and reminders.about how special it is to be able to run.
This post is a recap of my experience of the race itself. There will be a couple more blog posts about it in the Marathon Musings series and a Runner’s Round Table bonus episode, so stay tuned!
Accommodations
I stayed at an Airbnb in the South Loop with some of my Team Sugar Runs teammates and a friend from Miami. This Airbnb had the best location for race weekend as it was a 10 minute walk to the start area. The Airbnb had everything I needed to feel comfortable and prepped for race weekend.
Expo
Expo was held in McCormick Place like previous years. I went to Expo Friday morning straight from the airport and, at that time, there was still plenty of gear to purchase in my size. For me, expo was a straightforward experience of checking in, getting my bib, and picking up my packet with the race T-shirt. I spent some time walking around Expo checking out the vendors and taking pictures with the different Chicago Marathon backdrops. The longest line was for Nike. Expo had so many vendors that provided everything you could possibly need for race. Bonus for me was getting to meet some of my fellow Team Sugar Runs coaches/teammates in person for the first time.
At expo with my Team Sugar Runs teammates.
Pre-Race
Before the race, I did all the carb-loading I could do. I began upping the carb intake the Thursday before the race and did my best to get carbs in on travel/expo day on Friday. On race morning I followed my normal routine of eating oatmeal within 30-minutes of waking up. I snacked on graham crackers while walking to the race and I had a uCan gel 20-minutes before starting the race. I used the bathroom before starting the race (about a 20-minute wait) and then headed to the corral. Bonus there were two more Team Sugar Runs events: a dinner on Friday and the shakeout/breakfast on Saturday morning.
Post-Race
One of the things I look forward to the most at this race is the special brewed runners-only Goose Island beer at the finish line. This year, in addition to the Goose Island, Stan’s Donuts was handing out a mini donut to all of the runners.
Once you cross the finish line, there’s a 10-15 minute walk to gear check and the runners exit. After leaving the runners area I went into Grant Park, where you can reunite with family/friends and enjoy another free beer (there’s also beer for purchase). This year‘s weather was great for hanging out post-race. Bonus another Team Sugar Runs happy hour meet-up!
On the Course
The Chicago Marathon really put on a spectacular event this year. There were over 20 aid stations on the course with water and Gatorade hydration. Maurten gels were supposed to be offered twice on the course, however, there were no gels at the first offering when we got to that point of the course. My favorite stop on the course was the Biofreeze station around mile 20/21; total game-changer for me.
The course itself is marked by mile markers and kilometer markers. One of the best things about this course is that you start and end in the same area and the course takes through over 20 different neighborhoods. My favorite neighborhoods are in Lake View, Pilson, and Chinatown because the crowds are phenomenal. The course itself is relatively flat, although there are a few climbs on some bridges and overpasses and the famous Mount Roosevelt at the 26 mile mark.
The true course highlights were all the people out spectating. The crowds were incredible, lining almost every inch of the race from start to finish. The signs were my favorite this year, and there were so many unique and funny signs along the course.
Race Experience
I had no clue what to expect out of this year’s Chicago Marathon race experience. My buildup to the race was physically challenging and extra mentally challenging the week of the race for personal reasons. I showed up in Chicago with the intention of having fun and finishing the race feeling proud of myself regardless of time. Prior to the race I had considered joining a pace group to hold me accountable and hopefully keep me entertained while on the course.I decided against that as I wanted to run the intervals that I ran while training for Chicago.
On race morning, one of my athlete-friends texted me and asked if she could hang out with me. I immediately said yes, as long as she was OK with running intervals. At this point, I truly believe I would not have been able to finish Chicago in such high spirits were it not for her presence throughout the entire 26.2 miles. She helped me achieve a last-minute goal of treating this race like a long run so that I could give myself the grace to show up as I am without the ego coming in with negative self-talk.
The crowds in Chicago were also a huge mental boost as I spent the first half of the race completely unaware of the mileage or where I was distance-wise. Of course, having ran this race before, I had an idea for mile markers throughout the course, but on race day, the crowds were so electric that my brain didn’t even register the mile markers. Plus, I had a spectator on this course that I have never had before: my very own run coach who waited for me at mile 23 I get emotional just thinking about the hug I got from her because her belief in me over the years has been part of what has kept me hopeful for my future in running.
For the most part, the weather was great and it started off in the high 50s. There were several points throughout the course where the sun came out, and I felt the heat. Again, were not for my running partner beside me. I probably would have lost mental steam in those moments of heat.
Crossing the marathon finish line felt like the biggest accomplishment and the most important one yet. I always say there are no guarantees in the marathon and that marathon is a really long time for a lot of things to happen; I am so happy to say that this marathon was one of the most enjoyable and most fun experiences I’ve ever had running a marathon. There were so many moments where I didn’t even register what was going on with the race itself because I was so caught up in the crowd, in the signs, and in the conversation with my running partner.
Overall Impression
I absolutely love Chicago and the Chicago Marathon. The city itself holds such an incredibly special spot in my heart, as it is the city that I credit with helping me fall in love with long distant running. Yes, my history with the Chicago Marathon has had its ups and downs, but 2024 reminded me of why I love to run. It isn’t always easy and it is often hard, but being able to make it to a start line is a gift and being able to make it to the finish line is a blessing.
On October 13th, I, along with 52,000 other runners, crossed the finish line of one of the best races in the world and I couldn’t be prouder of the journey it took to get there. Sure, there are things that I wish were different or could have played out differently, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run a marathon and the ability to train for one once again. My experience at this year‘s event was so positive that, immediately after finishing, I turned to my running partner and I said, “So this time next year?”
I went into this race knowing that it would be busy from expo to race morning to the race itself to post-race. It’s honestly hard for there not to be slip-ups when you’ve got an event catering to over 50,000 athletes plus their families and spectators. I will say that it is all worth it to run the streets of Chicago and to be loved on by the city and it’s people.
Pros
Large field, if you like racing with a lot of people.
Water and bathrooms stations throughout the course.
Spectator support throughout.
Scenic and flat course.
Well staffed and supported course.
Start and finish in the similar areas.
Post-race Goose Island beer.
Marathon Major and one of the best organized at that.
Cons
Weather can be iffy in October.
Depending on preference, start times after 7:30am might feel late.
Large field, which can feel overwhelming or impact your race plans.
Race pictures: you do have to pay for them, but there are so many photographers on the course that it’s worth it.
Lottery entry.
Expo can be challenging to get to and can be very busy depending on when you go.
I know I’m missing points here, so please share your pro/cons!
I am so happy with how this race played out. It may not be what I wanted, but it ended up being exactly what I need. Chicago, I love you and I can’t wait to run your streets again.
We freaking did it!
Marathon Musings series:
Week 16 – Marathon Musings: Race Week Thoughts
