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Terrain: Asphalt, Concrete, Trail
Notes: The Lakeshore Running Path is an 18-mile route established by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA). The path is mostly asphalt, with some sections being concrete and others being crushed gravel/dirt. There are numerous water fountains located along the path (most of which are marked on the map) which operate from Spring to Fall. There are also a good number of public restrooms located on or near the path (also marked on the map). Again, these are open from Spring to Fall. There are a small number of water fountains and public restrooms open during Winter; see the notes on the map for details.
In general, the path is a relatively safe place to run. Most sections have good lighting, and there are usually people using the path from before sunrise to after sunset. In general, the sections from Irving Park on the North to Navy Pier on the South are the most heavily used and best lit areas. As in any urban setting, you should always be aware of your surroundings and make personal safety decisions to your comfort level.
The path is shared with cyclists and pedestrians, and sections can be crowded during the Summer months (especially on weekends). The path is open year-round, and the Park District does make an effort to plow and salt the path during Winter (although there are some sections that are detoured due to heavy ice accumulation).
Some time after I created this map on RunningAhead, Google updated their map tiles to include the lakeshore path, which is designated as the "Lakeshore Trail" on Google Maps. The Google Maps version is fairly accurate, and marks what most people call the "Bike Path." The path marked on the map below is the "official" Running Path as designated by CARA. The two paths are mostly identical, but diverge slightly at a couple points (which are marked below). The only significance of this distinction is that for many years, the Park District and CARA maintained mile markers on the "official" Running Path every half-mile. Due to construction and vandalism, some of these markers are currently missing or not entirely accurate. In any event, there is no requirement that you stick to the official Running Path, and in some places the Bike Path has better amenities. Indeed, there are many popular and/or scenic routes along the lakeshore that are neither the Bike Path nor the Running Path, so feel free to explore.
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