Is the Chicago Marathon fun? (Read 841 times)

I had a great time in 2006, and a BQ. But if you wnat to go for a PR/BQ, then try to get in one of the seeded corrals. I got in the third corral that year with a 1:40 half-marathon qualifying time. Last year the wether was terribly hot, but that's rare for October in Chicago. Go for it, and have fun!

As a native Chicagoan, I'm admittedly biased, but I think its a fantastic race. The spectator support is plentiful, colorful and loud. The course is flat and fast, and winds through many of the city's neatest neighborhoods. The crowd of runners can get congested, but also adds to the excitement.

I really enjoyed the Chicago Marathon. I ran it in 2006 and 2007. Yeah '07 was really hot, but i knew that was an anomaly. Yeah, it's totally flat, but enjoy it. I'm not a fan of the crowd, which is why i'm not running it this year. And MrR is totally right about getting into your corral, it was a pain, so arrive early. But the race is a great tour of Chicago. You get to see a bunch of different neighborhoods, where all sort of people come out and root for you (from downtown-folk to the cheerleaders in Boystown, to the Pilsen blocks where they handed out tacos, into china-town where there were dragons out there dancing to the drummers). Definitely recommended. That being said, I've done it, and will therefore try something else this year, maybe Milwaukee.

But the race is a great tour of Chicago.

It's hard for me to give a review of this race, because it was my first marathon - a long time ago - and I knew nothing about the things runners look for, and had nothing to compare it to. Also, it was 4 and a half hours of blurry, foggy pain. But the one good thing I do remember is what jdmcgregor said up there: it was a really cool way to see the city. If the route is still the same, it takes you through just about every place you could want to see in Chicago. Including parts of the city I wouldn't normally visit without a platoon of infantry Marines for backup ... but it felt pretty safe in a crowd of 30,000+. And I remember all the screaming crowds. I'd like to go back and see what I think now. One tip I do remember: unless you're lucky enough (read: planned far ahead of time) to get a room at the host hotel or another one nearby, stay farther out and take the train in. We stayed at a friends place, hopped on the train, and it dropped us off right at the starting line, no stress at all. I know other people were freaked about driving and parking and all that.

Born and raised near Chicago, I am also somewhat biased, but I think this is a great race as well, and a great way to see the city, particularly those areas you woudn't normally venture into on your own, as JK said. Being a loop course, with many hotels and the train near the starting line, it's a very good race, logistically, for a big city. I ran a few years back and am signed up to run it again this year. The first time I ran Chicago was my first marathon. I made many mistakes and paid for them, but still had an awesome time and am very much looking forward to running it again this year. If you're going to sign up, you'd better act fast. They sent out an email yesterday saying they were near capacity...so I'm guessing registration will close in the next couple of days.

It was my 1st marathon and I loved it. I thought the crowds were amazing and I don't remember a lack of people cheering you on-they made the marathon for me. And it was a fantastic way to see Chicago-parts I never would have seen under any other circumstance (but I am slow, so I was really able to take it all in!).

FYI, open registration for the 2008 Chicago Marathon closed today, 4/23. You can still get a bib by running for a qualified charity group.