r/ChicagoMarathon

Is anyone going to the bandit pop up? Is their stuff genuinely good or am I just paying for aesthetic looking polyester 🤨

Well…I have been training and of course, after struggling to conceive for over 1.5 years (and deciding not to put life on hold!), here we are. Husband and I found out we’re pregnant recently! We are elated but now on the fence about running. I will be estimated 7wga on race day.

For context, I am running for Ronald McDonald charity - first timer and I had no time goal other than to finish before they close the course. Literally will be corral N so will be at the very back. Unfortunately due to life/illness my training took a backslide and my peak run was only 16 miles, although I felt good during the run.

Since finding out about the pregnancy 1-2 weeks ago I have mostly felt ok, aside from some nausea and bloating. When I run, I do get some vague cramps but that always happened even before pregnancy.

I would feel so disappointed to not run especially after raising the money for charity, but also can’t help but wonder about the risk. Obviously cannot defer due to charity/how late it is. Husband is supportive either way but has expressed preference I do not run, mainly out of concern for my health. He is also not a runner himself. I have been ruminating the past 10 days and was hoping for others’ insight/thoughts.

I see the OB tomorrow and will ask medical opinion. But all I have read online said it should be ok to run… just wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences to share about running in pregnancy or any advice.

When I signed up I gave an expected 5:15 finishing time but now am looking at 4:30. Why did I expect so much extra time? Beats me, I probably thought I was going to dilly dally. Eat snacks and take malort shots and stuff. Don’t wanna do any of that anymore but it looks unlikely that I’ll get to move up from M to a 10:30 pacer in Kish. I’ll ask but I’m going to the expo on Friday and don’t have any recent races.

Holler from the back, whats the upside here? TIA

Unfortunately, it looks like running the Chicago Marathon has been taken off the table, as I’ve been dealing with some pretty rough medial knee pain that hasn’t gone away since my last long run three weeks ago.

I’ve seen a PT, gotten an X-ray, and have been stretching religiously, trying to work the pain out, but as soon as I run for longer than half a mile, the pain comes back.

The good news is that I haven’t lost any strength, I have full mobility, and while I can still feel some discomfort when walking, the pain is usually around a 1/10, if I feel it at all. Both checkups I’ve had as well didn’t reveal any weakness in the knee that would indicate something like an mcl tear.

Since I’m running on a charity bib and can’t defer, would walking the marathon be an option? Since this would be my first ever marathon, I have no idea what the expectations are or whether I’d be getting in other people’s way with my corral being G. I know the cutoff is 6 hours and 30 minutes, and I realize finishing may be impossible if my knee pain comes back, but I’m curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation and what their experience was.

I’d just hate to have put in 1,000+ miles of training, along with all the fundraising, only to not cross the finish line even if it took me 8 hours. I feel like I owe it to all of the people who donated to me.

Should I arrive at the corral by 6:30am? I really don't want to be all the way in the back of my corral, since it is already the last corral to go lol so I'm scared to arrive later than 6:30am.. but I also want to go to RMHC tent for the 6:55am group picture + use their porta potties if I need to... Idk what to do. Also is it hard to find the pacers once in corral? I am planning to stick with 5:00 hour crew! thanks for the help, this is my FIRST marathon ahhh

Will be dressed up as Mario for my Power up sign :) Have three friends running the race but am going solo. I am thinking of parking at the millennium park garage. What is the best time to arrive? Or if you suggest a different place to park...

I just want to say, it is awesome to see community to help others for their run whether it is app builds or other links to support members during our special day. I am one of those builders and I wanted to put all that I have seen in the thread in one place.

Mapping / Coordination

• https://www.marathon-weekend.com/cheer/chicago-2026 by u/johnfaber
  • Where to find events, cheer sections, etc
• Chicago Marathon Route on Google Maps | Chicago Marathon Spectator Map by u/Main-Clerk-1901
• https://www.wreef.dev/ by me
  • Cheer squad planner - For the friends and family of a Chicago Marathon runner. Know where to stand and when they'll run past. Find the nearby public transportation stop. One link for the whole crew.

Getting Around

• Metra Schedules by u/goldendomer
• Chicago Parking Apps by u/misantropo86

Race Prep

• Tool to Calculate Heat Effects by u/disenchantedliberal

Missed something? Just add it to the thread. Good luck to everyone running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

I saw that Anthony Rizzo and Jake Arrieta are running the Chicago Marathon this year, which is pretty cool! Curious if anyone knows of other celebrities, athletes, or influencers participating?

I feel like I heard Matt James, Joey from The Bachelor, and Jake Shane mentioned, but not sure if that's accurate. Anyone know of others?

Hi friends, I’m running my first marathon this year as a charity athlete, after running two half marathons in 2025 and 2026. I’ve had a decent training block and was looking forward to race day until Saturday when I started to feel under the weather. I know pre race sickness so close to the race is common, especially for first timers, but I’ve got a bit of a wet cough and a lingering sore throat still. No fever, no body aches. I feel good enough that I’m still going to work, but def skipping my runs this week. I know I’ve got a few days to go so I might pull through but I’m wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar before. And if yes, did you decide to race or did you adjust your race plan?

Unless I’m genuinely incapacitated or ill, I still plan to show up to the start line, but managing my expectations for sure.

Anyone know how long it takes for Chicago race day photos to be sent to you after the race?

Any tips or advice yall would share with a newbie like myself! I raised money for RMHC so I feel like that would make my experience a little easier with the private amenities.

This ever changing weather forecast is making it impossible to pack! I was hoping to avoid checking a bag, but that idea is out the window. Chicago, me and all my luggage are on our way!!

hey everyone,

I know the race is 3 full days away, but for me the race starts when the expo starts and I have the race bib in hand which is tomorrow. who else is going tomorrow and super excited for race weekend?

also what are your running plans before the race? personally I don’t like to do shakeout runs for superstitious reasons so I will do a quality 5k run tomorrow and call it a wrap on this training block and then spend the next 2 days carbo loading and icing any sore spots I had during training.