2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Guide & My 2023 Sub-3 Race Recap
The 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Yes. I ran this race two years in a row!)
Everything runners need to know about race weekend, corrals, pacers, the course, the expo, hotels, restaurants, and what Chicago taught me about grit, joy, redemption, and belief!
It may be 2026, but with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on deck this fall, I’ve found myself reflecting on the race I ran there three years ago and the lessons that still stay with me today.
Chicago 2023 was more than my second sub-three-hour marathon. It taught me how powerful it is to stay present, trust my training, race intelligently, and keep believing in myself when the miles get hard. If you’re interested, here is my 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon podcast episode on RUNWITHALLI LIVE, where I share every mile of my second experience breaking the sub-three-hour marathon barrier.
So, as runners prepare to return to the streets of Chicago this fall, I’m bringing this recap back with a complete 2026 race-weekend guide to help you arrive informed and ready. Whether you’re racing Chicago, preparing for another fall marathon, or chasing a completely different goal, I hope this reminds you to run the mile you’re in, embrace the discomfort, and keep asking yourself: What if I could fly?! Because when you believe in yourself, you can do a LOT more than ya think!
Here are the top must-knows for 2026. Then, keep reading for the full story of the grit, joy, redemption, and belief behind my 2023 Chicago Marathon.
2026 Chicago Marathon Quick Facts
Marathon Race date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Start and finish: Grant Park
Course: 26.2 miles through 29 Chicago neighborhoods
Grant Park opens to runners: 5:30 a.m.
Wave 1: Corrals close at 7:20 a.m.; start at 7:35 a.m.
Wave 2: Corrals close at 7:45 a.m.; start at 8:00 a.m.
Wave 3: Corrals close at 8:10 a.m.; start at 8:35 a.m.
Course time limit: 6 hours, 30 minutes—approximately a 15:00-per-mile pace from the time the final runner crosses the start
Official app: Includes live tracking, an interactive course map, bib sharing, pro-athlete information, live coverage, leaderboards, and real-time results
Those times are not suggestions. Grant Park is huge, security takes time, bathroom lines grow, and you still need to reach the correct entrance and corral. The race recommends being inside your corral about 20 minutes before it closes. I’d rather you be settled early than sprinting before you have even crossed the start line.
View the official 2026 participant information
Race-Weekend Schedule
Thursday, October 8
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 9
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Official pre-race pasta dinner: Available at Millennium Hall by reservation
Saturday, October 10
Abbott Chicago 5K: 7:30 a.m.
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Official pre-race pasta dinner: Available at Millennium Hall by reservation
Sunday, October 11
Bank of America Chicago Marathon: Wave starts begin at 7:35 a.m.
27th Mile Post-Race Party: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Butler Field in Grant Park
Goose Island post-race celebrations: Five locations throughout the city; the first 312 medal-wearing finishers at each location receive their first 312 beer on the house
The Abbott Chicago 5K is a fun way for family and friends to join race weekend, but marathoners: do not turn Saturday morning into a race unless that is part of your coach-approved plan. Treat it as a short shakeout, keep it controlled, and save your legs for Sunday.
See the official 2026 race-weekend events
The Expo and Packet Pickup Must Knows
The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo is at McCormick Place, North Building, Level 3, Hall B1, at 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive. It is free and open to the public.
You must pick up your own packet during expo hours. There is no race-day pickup, packets are not mailed, and someone else cannot collect yours. Bring:
Your Packet Pick-up Ticket, digitally or printed. It is scheduled to be emailed on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
A valid photo ID.
Patience and a plan not to spend five hours walking around the expo the day before your marathon!
Your packet includes your bib and timing device, safety pins, gear-check tag, Nike participant shirt, and participant bag. Check your name, age, address, and gender information when your ticket arrives. If something is incorrect, contact the race office before race weekend.
Large bags and luggage are discouraged, and everyone goes through security screening. If you use rideshare, the race recommends entering McCormick Place–East Building as your drop-off. Public transit is often easier: the Green Line’s Cermak–McCormick Place station is about three blocks away, and the Metra Electric line connects downtown with McCormick Place. If driving, validated parking in Lots A and C is listed at $13 for expo attendees.
Pro coaching tip: Go Thursday or Friday if your travel allows. You’ll have more time to absorb the experience, visit the pace-team booth, buy anything you intentionally planned to purchase, and then get off your feet. Never debut expo-bought shoes, fuel, socks, or gear on race day.
Know Your Corrals Before Race Morning! The 2026 field uses the High Performance corral plus Corrals A–N (there is no Corral I). Wave 1 and Wave 2 assignments are based on accepted qualifying times; Wave 3 assignments are based on anticipated finish time. Final assignments became available in participant accounts on August 20. The faster-corral request deadline passed on August 11, and the race states that no late changes will be considered. You cannot change corrals on race morning, and a pace-team bib or tattoo does not grant access to another corral.
Arrive at your assigned corral roughly 20 minutes before it closes:
Wave 1: 7:20 a.m. closure
Wave 2: 7:45 a.m. closure
Wave 3: 8:10 a.m. closure
Your bib determines where you enter. Screenshot the start map, confirm your gate the night before, and allow far more time than you think you need for security, bathroom stops, gear check, and walking through Grant Park.
Review the official 2026 corral information
Pacers Times, Locations, and Strategy
The official pace team is free, led by experienced marathoners, and covers finish goals from 2 hours and 55 minutes through 6 hours. Stop at the pace-team booth during the expo to ask questions and pick up a temporary pace tattoo. Find your pacers, speak to them about their strategy and ask them where they will be on race day morning, and what they will be wearing so you can flag ‘em down.
Be aware that pacers do not stop for bathrooms and take fluid at each aid station. Big groups can become crowded, especially around the tables, so avoid clipping heels, communicate before moving laterally, and take your bottle or cup farther down the station where it is often less congested.
See the official 2026 pace-team details
The Flat, Fast Course
Chicago starts and finishes in Grant Park and takes runners through 29 neighborhoods, supported by an estimated 1.7 million spectators. Its flat layout has produced seven world records and countless PRs, but “flat” does not mean effortless. The course initially heads north, later moves west, and then travels south before returning toward Grant Park. That layout creates changing wind exposure and many turns. The first mile includes a downtown tunnel, where GPS can become unreliable. Tall buildings can continue to distort your watch, and the official race information warns that your device may show a different distance than the certified course.
How To Race Smart
Use effort and official markers. Turn off auto-lap and manually split at each mile marker if accurate pacing matters to you.
Run the blue line and smooth tangents. Extra weaving adds distance and burns energy.
Protect the opening 5K. Crowds and adrenaline make goal pace feel suspiciously easy. Let people pass.
Expect congestion. Stay patient around early turns and aid stations instead of surging repeatedly.
Break the middle into manageable sections. The halfway point is not the finish; it is where your patience begins to pay you back.
Prepare for the late south-side miles. The energy is incredible, but the field can spread out and the physical work becomes real.
Respect Mount Roosevelt. The short climb up Roosevelt Road near the finish is not a mountain, but at Mile 26 it can feel like one. Expect it, drive the arms, turn left onto Columbus, and GOOOO!
On-Course Aid & Fuel
There are 20 aid stations, approximately one to two miles apart. Each is organized with medical support and toilets first, then lemon-lime Gatorade Endurance, and then water.
Maurten Gel 100: Caffeinated and non-caffeinated options at Miles 12.4 and 18.1; each contains 25 grams of carbohydrate.
Bananas: Aid Stations 16–18, approximately Miles 20.2–23.
Water-refill stations: Before Aid Stations 4, 7, 12, and 16. Approximately Miles 5.7, 10.1, 15.7, and 20.3.
Medical support: At all 20 aid stations, plus two additional course locations and post-finish facilities.
Nothing on that list should become your first experiment on race day. Practice your exact fueling plan during training, carry the products your gut knows, and treat course fuel as planned support or backup. Hydration vests with bladders and hydration backpacks are prohibited; permitted options include approved front-pocket vests, fuel belts, handheld bottles, and soft flasks. Review the official rules before deciding what to carry.
Explore the official course and amenities
My Top Chicago Race Tips
Arrive early and wear throwaway layers. Chicago mornings can be cold, windy, wet, warm, or several of those in one weekend. Check the forecast, dress for the conditions, and bring layers you can discard through the designated collection process.
Do not trust downtown GPS pace. Manual-lap official miles and compare total elapsed time to your pace band.
Write your plan down. Know when you will fuel, drink, take electrolytes if appropriate for you, and adjust for weather. Do not improvise because the crowd makes you feel invincible at Mile 4.
Nothing new on race day. That includes shoes, socks, shorts, breakfast, caffeine dose, gels, and anti-chafe products.
Carry your fuel securely. Know exactly where each gel lives and the order in which you will use it.
Do not bank time. A slightly conservative first 5K gives you options. A reckless first 5K sends you a bill later.
Make a spectator plan. Pick exact sides of the road and landmarks. Not simply “Mile 13.” Cell service may be overloaded.
Use the CTA. Road closures and crowds can make rideshares frustrating. The official transportation page maps stations to viewing points throughout the course.
Plan the finish before the start. Choose a reunion area, decide who carries your phone, and remember that the finish chute is long.
Run the mile you’re in. You do not have to conquer 26.2 miles at once. You only have to execute the step you are taking now.
Go-To Restaurants
Millennium Hall’s official pasta dinner: The lowest-decision option, offered October 9 and 10 near the start in Millennium Park. It is all-you-can-eat and requires a reservation.
Acanto: Italian food on Michigan Avenue across from Millennium Park; convenient for downtown hotels and useful when you want pasta without traveling far.
The Dearborn: A Loop restaurant with a broad menu, helpful for groups with different dietary preferences.
Il Porcellino: A lively Italian-American option in River North. Reserve early and stick with foods you know.
Quartino Ristorante: Shareable Italian dishes in River North, making it easy to build a simple meal, but remember that sharing does not mean sampling every rich dish on the menu the night before your race.
Lou Malnati’s or Pequod’s: This is when to celebrate with Chicago deep dish.
Portillo’s: Italian beef, hot dogs, fries, and cake when you want a classic, casual Chicago reward.
The Gage: Near Millennium Park and convenient after the Grant Park celebration.
Gibsons Italia: Riverfront views and a celebratory steak-and-pasta meal if you want to dress up the occasion.
Goose Island’s official celebration locations: Lizzie McNeill’s, Millennium Hall, Goose Island Taproom, Goose Island Salt Shed Pub, and The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen.
Reservations for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday should be made like… yesterday Check current hours, menus, dietary accommodations, and cancellation terms directly with each restaurant.
Fun Things to Do Without Wrecking Your Legs
Run or cheer at the Abbott Chicago 5K: Saturday at 7:30 a.m. through downtown.
Visit the expo, but set a time limit: Enjoy the energy, speakers, gear, and brands, then leave before your step count becomes its own endurance event.
Take an architecture river cruise: A seated way to see Chicago while preserving your legs. Choose a time that will not interfere with meals or sleep.
Walk the Chicago Riverwalk or lakefront briefly: Beautiful for loosening up, but save the full sightseeing tour for after the race.
Visit Millennium Park and Cloud Gate: Easy to pair with the expo shuttle/transit or dinner if staying downtown.
Celebrate at the 27th Mile Post-Race Party: Music, food, beverages, and thousands of runners in Butler Field from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join a brand shakeout or pop-up: Fleet Feet, Nike, Tracksmith, New Balance, Believe in the Run, and other groups commonly host marathon-week events, but schedules can change yearly. Follow the brands and local running stores you care about and confirm that the listing specifically says 2026 before registering.
WARNING! Do not feel like you need to attend everything. The goal of marathon weekend is to arrive at Sunday excited, not exhausted. Pick one or two experiences, keep your normal fueling and sleep routines as intact as possible, and spend the rest of the time with your feet up and body horizontal!
My 2023 Chicago Marathon Race Recap
Race-Day Weekend
Wow. Where do I begin? I arrived in Chicago on Thursday and had the entire weekend to carb-load, decompress, and sit with my own thoughts. Honestly, I’m not the best at sitting with my own thoughts, but it’s essential because a marathon is a LONG FREAKIN’ TIME to live inside your own head.
The day before the race, I could barely think. I ate, and I had a serious case of the taper crazies. My friends, coach, mentors, and team supported me in the best way possible. I love you all. You know who you are. Because of THEM, I was able to stay calm, relaxed, and collected.
I spend my life pouring my energy and expertise into helping others smash their starting and finish lines—and find the best versions of themselves through running. This time, I needed that same support in return. It was the best feeling. ANYWAY, not to go too far off on a tangent! :)
I was fierce. After returning from a minor calf injury that winter, which required me to adjust my goals for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon I ran that June, I gained confidence in my training and a stronger belief that my best was—and still is—ahead of me. Had it not been for the training block leading up to this race, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy every step. And that is exactly what I did.
Race Morning
I woke up, ate half a bagel, and sat staring into the mirror while reciting my mantra: “I am a faster runner.”
I headed toward the start in a silent shuffle from my hotel alongside other runners, trying to conserve my energy. I arrived at Grant Park at 5:45 a.m. (SO EARLY), cozying up in two zip-up sweatshirts, sweatpants, a face mask, a hat, gloves, and hand warmers. Did I nail this or WHAT?
Once I reached my corral, I sat beside a tree and embraced the experience minute by minute. I looked around at the other runners and reminded myself how lucky I was to be there—and that I got to run the Chicago Marathon.
The Start
About 30 minutes before the corrals closed at 7:20 a.m., I went to the bathroom and began shedding my layers. I entered my corral at exactly 7:19, and $hit got REAL. I saw my friend Amanda in the starting corral, and we were both frantic! The nerves. The excitement. It was EXHILARATING.
I was laser-focused, with tunnel vision, and promised myself I wouldn’t start too fast—something I usually avoid. We know the GPS can be wonky and unreliable in Chicago, so I told myself I would check my total time after passing the first-mile marker.
The countdown reached five minutes, and I stripped off my final layers. It was my first time racing in briefs. By the way, I’m obsessed. At 7:30, Wave 1 started to ROLL.
Holy crap. It was happening, and I was so freakin’ ready.
Miles 1–3
As we passed through the tunnel during Mile 1, people FLEW by me. I promised myself I’d start close to a 6:55 pace, and I nailed it.
After the first mile, I ran by feel. Once I settled into the pace and got a sense of the runners around me, I picked a few people ahead and stayed near them. I reminded myself not to get carried away simply because I felt SO GOOD during the opening miles. Adrenaline makes it harder to judge your pace and slow yourself down, but I was ON IT.
I took my first non-caffeinated gel at Mile 3. During a marathon, I fuel every 20 minutes. I keep my gels in my sports bra and arrange my salt tablets in the order in which I plan to take them!
Miles 4–6
I settled into the pace and effort, focusing on one step at a time and reminding myself to stay relaxed. I even said aloud, “Stay relaxed, Alli!” I took my second non-caffeinated gel at Mile 5.5. I remember someone yelling, “Only 20 miles to go!” I smiled. How encouraging! But it was also a great reminder to relax, avoid rushing, and focus on the effort required for that mile because that was what I could control.
Miles 7–10
I was cruising. Fully on cruise control. I wasn’t checking my watch, but I was dialed in. I took my third non-caffeinated gel at Mile 8, and before I knew it, we were in the double digits. My mantras were: Stay here. Stay in this step. Focus on this effort. Run the mile you’re in. Whenever my mind wandered toward what lay ahead or what I couldn’t control, I brought it back to the present. It was SO MUCH BETTER for me mentally to stay in the moment, embrace the pack, ride the wave, and send it. You’re probably wondering why I’m celebrating this race as if it were a PR. For me, it was a major win. Heading into my previous marathon training block, I knew exactly what shape I was in. I adjusted my goals because training brings out the truth, and magic may—or may not—happen on race day. The training leading into this build wasn’t as ideal as it had been the year before. I missed PR after PR, yet I still finished within 30 seconds of my 2022 Chicago time. For me, that’s a win. It represents all the training, successful workouts, smart long runs, and the discipline required to race intelligently.
I needed this race as my redemption, just as I needed the second Tracksmith 5K that summer, to prove to myself that I am capable and exactly where I should be. I felt stronger than ever during the final 10K, and now I can’t wait to move beyond my limits and make my stretch goals a reality.
I believe I can achieve crazy things. If I told you out loud what I envision for my future, you might call me LUDICROUS. So I plan to go do it!
Miles 11–14
I saw my friend Lauren around the halfway point, and I needed that energy boost! Isn’t it the BEST when you see your people along the course? So freakin’ COOL.
I finally caught the three-hour pacers and stayed directly behind them. As they had warned us, they were running a few minutes ahead of sub-three-hour pace. They were AMAZING. From their guidance and coaching to the way they talked us through the race mile by mile. You guys are freakin’ bada$$, and thank you for helping us smash our Chicago Marathon!
Miles 13–17 are always mentally challenging for me. It’s that strange stretch when you’re halfway through the marathon, but the real race is only beginning. I need to keep working on those middle miles, and that’s an important takeaway. We all have areas to improve.
I took my fourth gel at Mile 11, along with two salt tablets, then water. By the way, I stopped at every other water station. I took a caffeinated gel at Mile 14.
Miles 15–18
At Mile 17, I took another non-caffeinated gel and two salt tablets, followed by water at the aid station. I was dumping water into my mouth and all over my face. I was a hot mess, but that was the last thing I cared about.
Push it. Push through it.
I remember hearing an announcer say, “The world record was just broken!” Twenty-three-year-old Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum (R.I.P.) had shattered the world record with a scorching time of 2:00:35. HOLY FREAKIN’ COW! Talk about hearing something inspirational just as you enter the pain cave of a marathon. It was EXACTLY what I needed at Mile 18.
Miles 19–21
I took another caffeinated gel and one salt tablet at Mile 20.5. The real race had begun. I kept telling myself, “Focus. Run this mile. Focus on your effort, Alli.” As the effort became harder, I paid attention to how I responded and whether I could maintain clarity deep inside the pain cave.
I was riding my absolute limit in that moment. I had to control that effort throughout most of a marathon. I did exactly that. I committed to the effort with every step, stayed present, and ran the mile I was in.
Mile 22 to the Beginning of Mile 25
At Mile 23, I took another non-caffeinated gel, half of a caffeinated gel, and one salt tablet, followed by water.
The crowds were roaring here, unlike the previous year. I was in awe, completely focused, and I felt GOOD. I felt stronger than I ever had during the final 10K of a marathon. My legs didn’t feel wobbly. I felt strong as an ox. That had been a long-term goal: to reach the final 10K feeling strong while holding my pace.
It’s going to hurt. Accept it. Lean into it. Embrace it. As Kipchoge shared during the Breaking 2 project, success lies on the other side of pain. That idea couldn’t have felt more accurate. Do the best you can in every moment. That applies to both running and life.
Miles 25–26.2
The pacers told us, “If you’re going ahead, go now.” And I fully f*cking SENT IT! I took one final caffeinated gel. When I saw the “1 Mile to Go” sign, I reminded myself of my training. All those fall tempo runs and their final miles, when I would tell myself, “You’re almost done. The hardest part is behind you. Just run.”
IT’S ONLY ONE MILE! So that’s what I did. I pressed the gas because I could. I asked myself, “WHAT IF I COULD FLY?” Shout-out to my athlete, Shelley Joynt, for that one!
I saw the 800-meter marker. It was exhilarating. Then I saw the 400-meter marker as I approached the final climb up Roosevelt Road. BOOM! I turned left for the last 200 meters and saw the finish line. I BOLTED across it, stomped on the finish line, and said, “F-YES! I JUST DID THAT!”
This year, my time appeared immediately. That instant gratification was mine. Although I ran the race for myself, my family, my athletes, and every runner I hope to inspire to chase aggressive goals and do hard things, I needed this one for me. It was redemption—and a reminder that I’m a bada$$ who can do hard things.
The clock is just the clock, but after 26.2 miles of booking it, it felt pretty damn good to see all my training and hard work reflected right before my eyes.
Support Corner
If it weren’t for one of my former athletes, who became my business coach and mentor, Jennifer Chambers, I wouldn’t be performing the way I am today. This woman is a GODDESS, and she has helped me navigate ALL THE THINGS. Jen, I am forever grateful for you.
It takes a village to chase big goals. No one achieves great things alone. Not even Kipchoge or Kiptum. ❤️
To my athletes: You always have (and will continue to) inspire me more than you know. I might be your coach, but you give me wings to lead and soar. I know the other RWA coaches can speak to this too!
To my family: I love you, and thank you for always supporting my crazy running goals!
To my friends: I am loyal to you, I freakin’ love you, and I am grateful for every one of you. You know who you are!
To the Chicago Marathon: Thank you for making this race unforgettable.
Finally, THANK YOU, you fantastic human, for reading this.
After the Finish
Fox 32 News Interview After the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
I walked three miles back to my hotel after the race because I didn’t run with my phone or check a bag. Along the way, a reporter from Fox 32 News interviewed me, and I was speechless. The reporter stopped me and asked if I had 30 seconds to describe the race and the entire experience.
All I could say was, “It was incredible. The crowds were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I’m still taking it all in.”
And I still am. Walking back to my hotel in briefs, wrapped in my Chicago Marathon blanket, was an experience, to say the least. So many people congratulated me, and I arrived in time to cheer for other marathoners as they chased their own aggressive goals and worked toward their finish lines. The course passed directly by my hotel at Mile 22, and supporting those runners was the BEST part.
Nothing brings me more joy than experiencing this sport from both sides. As a runner, a cheerleader, and a coach. Giving back the energy that others offered me throughout my training and the marathon fills my cup. This is who I am, and it’s what I love.
When I accomplish my own goals and inspire myself to do hard things, I feel even more motivated to help others do the same for themselves wholeheartedly.
Running brings people from all walks of life, each with a different WHY, together. Especially during a marathon. It’s f*cking incredible. Few things bring me more joy than being part of the running community.
Chicago 2023 was unforgettable. I promised I would return stronger, fiercer, and faster, and since then, I have! I just haven’t run it back in Chicago…yet!
This fall, we have some incredible RunWithAlli® athletes preparing for the big dance, and I cannot wait to cheer them on as they chase their goals. As for me, I’ll be back on those streets again one day—and hopefully very soon!
Whatever lies ahead for you. A fall marathon, an upcoming race, or a brand-new training block, remember that consistent hard work pays off. Follow a properly periodized plan, stay patient, and keep your training balanced, challenging, and FUN!
Keep showing up. Your next breakthrough may be closer than you think!
Ready to Chase Your Next Starting Line?
If you’re preparing for Chicago or any goal from the mile to the marathon, you do not have to figure out your training, pacing, fueling, and race strategy alone. RunWithAlli® coaching is personalized to your experience, life, and goals so you can arrive at the start line confident, prepared, and ready to see what is possible.
Learn more about RunWithAlli® coaching
Official 2026 Resources
Race logistics and event offerings can change. Always defer to official race communications, the 2026 participant guide, your participant account, and race-day instructions.
