TrekUnity
When
October
Attendance
~1,700,000 spectators · ~50,000 runners
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
One of the six World Marathon Majors, the Chicago Marathon sends around 50,000 runners on a fast, flat loop through 29 neighborhoods each October, cheered by more than a million spectators — a course famous for producing world records and for its wall-to-wall crowd support.
Starting and finishing in Grant Park, it's a bucket-list race and a great spectator day, wrapped in one of America's best food-and-architecture cities.
Want to go? Turn Bank of America Chicago Marathon into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Second Sunday of October
Admission
Free to spectate · runners enter by lottery/qualification
Parking
Use the "L" — the course loops through downtown and many streets close on race morning.
Nearest airport
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) ~45 min; Midway (MDW) ~30 min
Typical weather
Cool, crisp Chicago October — 40s–50s °F; ideal for running, layers for spectators.
Official website
Location
Chicago, IL
Where to stay
The Congress Plaza Hotel
Historic hotel right on Grant Park near the start/finish.
The Chicago Athletic Association
Landmark hotel across from the park.
South Loop hotels
Walkable to the start line.
Where to eat & drink
Carb-load pasta (Little Italy)
The classic pre-race meal.
Lou Malnati's
Post-race deep-dish reward.
Wildberry Café
Popular breakfast near Millennium Park.
Nearby attractions
Millennium Park & The Bean
Steps from the start/finish.
Chicago Riverwalk
Waterfront walk downtown.
The Art Institute of Chicago
World-class museum by Grant Park.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + expo
- •Train in from the airport
- •Afternoon: race expo + bib pickup
- •Dinner: pasta in Little Italy
2Easy day
- •Morning: shakeout along the Riverwalk
- •Afternoon: Millennium Park
- •Early night
3Race day
- •Morning: cheer spots downtown + neighborhoods
- •Afternoon: Grant Park finish
- •Evening: deep-dish celebration
4Recover + depart
- •Slow brunch
- •Head to the airport
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Use the "L" to hop between cheer points — streets close race morning.
- Stay in the South Loop to be near the Grant Park start/finish.
- Reward the runners (and yourself) with deep-dish afterward.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Chicago Marathon?
The second Sunday of October each year, starting and finishing in Grant Park.
How do you get in as a runner?
Via a lottery, time qualification, or charity entry. Spectating is free.
Where are good spectator spots?
The course loops downtown and through many neighborhoods, so the "L" lets you catch runners at several points near Grant Park.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bank of America Chicago Marathon or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.