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Step 1
Be prepared. To get the most out of watching the Chicago Marathon, go prepared! Find out the weather and dress appropriately. Decide days beforehand how you will get to the race and where you'll park. Since the race is on a Sunday, not all restaurants are open, so bring a few snacks and drinks with you in case you need them. It also helps to pick a few locations where you want to watch the race before you go.
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Step 2
Get your racer's bid number before the race. Your racer will receive a packet of information weeks before the race, which will contain his or her bib number. If you know what the bib number is, it will make it MUCH easier to keep track of your racer.
Also, if you can, find out what color your racer will be wearing. It won't give you much help, but it will help a little if you know what color shirt they have on. -
Step 3
Sign up online to get texts of where your racer is in the marathon. If you have the racer's bib number, go to the Chicago Marathon website and sign up to receive your racer's "split times" via text or email. The split times are sent at 10K, halfway and 30K.
Note: in the past this technology has been less than perfect. If you have a problem receiving the texts, visit a Runner Update Center. -
Step 4
Download a Spectator Guide. Don't try to be a first-time spectator without one of these! The guide contains a detailed course map, spectator viewing areas by CTA trains, runner tracking info, Chicago neighborhood details, estimated participant checkpoints and finish times. Go to the Chicago Marathon website to download.
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Step 5
Use public transportation. The best way to get in and out of the city the day of the Marathon is to use the Metra commuter rail system. For information on public transportation within the city, visit the CTA website. If you decide to drive, visit the Chicago Marathon site and check out where you can park and how much it costs (note, the lots fill up quickly, so you need to aim to be there earlier than 6:30 a.m. to guarantee a spot).
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Step 6
Bring cash. The CTA trains don't take credit cards, so bring cash. Also, tickets are bought out of machines and they don't provide change. So bring lots of singles and quarters with you.
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Step 7
Get there early. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. It will be crowded, but the earlier you arrive, the easier it will be to get where you want to go. Recommended time for a spectator to arrive is an hour beforehand so you can use the port-o-potty and get where you want to be when the race begins.
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Step 8
Visit a Runner Update Center. These are located throughout the race. They can answer your questions about the race, and you can check your racer's split time. They usually have Spectator Guides, as well.
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Step 9
Don't expect to find your racer beforehand. Unless you travel to the starting line with your racer, it will be nearly impossible to locate him or her once they get to the starting gate. Only racers are allowed within the gate, and there will be over 45,000 of them. So find out everything - like their bib number or what they are wearing - from your racer days before the race.
Also, many people don't realize that it can take 20 - 60 minutes from the gunshot for most racers to cross the starting line. This is because the elite racers are in the front, and the remaining racers are in the back of the crowd. The thousands of racers move along slowly to the start, and a chip the racers wear in their shoes indicate when they actually cross the starting line. -
Step 10
Keep an eye on the "pacer." When the racers line up at the start, they get behind the pacer carrying the sign with the time they expect to finish the marathon. For example, if a racer thinks he may finish in 4 hours, 30 minutes, he'll line up behind the pacer with the 4:30 sign. If you know what pace your racer is planning to run, this can help you locate him or her.
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Step 11
Bring a sign or noisemaker to join the fun. A large visual can help to get the attention of racers (especially your own). Part of the fun of watching the Chicago Marathon is cheering on all of the racers, including your own. And participants of the race continually say how incredible it is that the entire city is encouraging them through the whole 26.2 miles. So join in the fun!
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Step 12
If you like crowds, go to the most popular places. Going where all the spectators are is thrilling! But it also decreases your chances of seeing your racer or your racer seeing you. If you want to chance it, the most popular places to visit are the Starting line; Mile 2 and the Loop (since it's only a few blocks walk west from the starting line); Old Town; Chinatown; the Pilsen neighborhood and the Finish line.
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Step 13
If you want to get closer to the street, visit the less popular places. An easy location to walk to that's less popular is Mile 13 (about halfway), as well as anywhere between halfway and University Village (these are a little harder to get to).
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Step 14
Visit the Chicago Marathon website. The site has tons of helpful info, with an entire section just for spectators, including how to find your racer when the marathon is finished.
