If you’re looking for the best Chicago Marathon tips, you’ve come to the right place.
The Chicago Marathon is one of the original six World Marathon Majors (welcome to the club, Sydney Marathon!) and a bucket-list race for runners worldwide.
It’s also a race near and dear to RunBetter’s heart, because all three co-founders hail from the Windy City. That’s right— Chris Wehrman (Coach Worm), Nicole Mann, and Curt Mann all live, work, run, and play in Chicago. As with previous years, Coach Worm will once again be a featured panelist at the Chicago Marathon Race Expo as well as a race day commentator for 670 The Score Sports Radio.
Known for its flat course, electric crowd support, and iconic city backdrop, it’s a race where personal bests are made—and where runners can also get caught by surprises if they’re not prepared. If you’re training for Chicago this year, you’ll want to know our top Chicago Marathon tips that will help you prepare for race day…
1. Don’t Be Fooled by the Flatness
Chicago’s reputation as a “flat and fast” course is true—but it also means you’re working the same muscles for 26.2 miles. Without natural breaks from hills, fatigue builds up in the quads and calves.
Pro secret: Add flat, steady treadmill runs to your training. This conditions your body for the sustained effort Chicago requires.
2. Watch Out for the “Second Half Surprise”
The first half of the race feels like a party—fast crowds, loud cheers, and high energy. But around Miles 20–23, the course heads south, where stretches can feel quieter and mentally tough. Many runners hit “the wall” here.
Pro secret: Break the race into mental chunks. Use Chinatown at Mile 21 as a huge energy checkpoint before digging deep for the final push back downtown.
3. Be Ready for the Weather Wildcard
Chicago in October is unpredictable. Race morning could be a cool 40°F with wind off Lake Michigan—or a surprisingly warm 70°F.
Pro secret: Train in variable conditions when possible. Indoors, use treadmill incline/resistance to simulate running into the wind or adjusting effort on warmer days.
4. Don’t Let GPS Throw You Off
Tall buildings in downtown Chicago interfere with GPS watches. This happens early (Miles 1–3) and again around the halfway point (Miles 13–14). Many runners accidentally go out too fast here.
Pro secret: Run by feel and effort in those sections. Use the official pace groups or mile markers to guide you until your GPS stabilizes.
5. Master Aid Stations Like a Local
With 20 aid stations on the course, hydration is well covered—but crowds at the first few tables can cause chaos.
Pro secret: Skip the first table and head to the last one at each station. It’s usually less crowded, and you’ll get in and out more smoothly.
6. Harness the Power of the Crowd
Over 1.7 million spectators line the course, making Chicago one of the loudest and most inspiring races in the world. Each neighborhood brings its own flavor—Boystown’s high energy, Pilsen’s music, Chinatown’s color and noise.
Pro secret: Tell family and friends to cheer at Mile 21 or 23, where support is thinner and you’ll need that extra lift.
7. Conquer “Mount Roosevelt”
Just when you think you’re done, the course throws in one last surprise: a short but steep climb on Roosevelt Road before you turn toward the finish in Grant Park. After 26 miles, it feels like a mountain.
Pro secret: Practice short incline sprints at the end of your treadmill long runs. On race day, you’ll cruise over “Mount Roosevelt” knowing it’s just steps from the finish line.
8. Run the Course Before Race Day
The best-kept secret? Familiarity. Knowing the course ahead of time means no surprises, smoother pacing, and fewer nerves.
Pro secret weapon: With the RunBetter App, you can run the Chicago Marathon course virtually on your treadmill. Every turn, straightaway, and final hill can be part of your training—so when you step into Grant Park, it already feels like home turf.
Final Thoughts
The Chicago Marathon is an unforgettable experience—fast, flat, and fueled by one of the greatest running crowds in the world. With these insider secrets (and a little help from RunBetter), you can line up feeling confident, prepared, and ready to run your best race.
👉 Train the Chicago Marathon course now on any treadmill with the RunBetter App. Download today and make race day feel familiar.
