WELCOME TO CHICAGO
Travelling Fit is proud to advise that we are an official International Tour Partner for the Bank of American Chicago Marathon and we have been organising packages to this World Marathon Major event for the past 20 years.
We are offering a 4 Day/3 Night and 5 Day/4 Night Marathon Package staying at the centrally located LondonHouse Chicago Curio Collection by Hilton – is a stylish 1923 building with a 22-story glass structure and Chicago’s only three-level rooftop bar.
The 5 Day/4 Night package gives you the opportunity to enjoy Chicago for longer and the see the city on a river cruise with lunch included. We also go out for a light jog to stretch the legs alongside the Chicago River
- Packages Include
- 4 DAY / 3 NIGHT PACKAGE
- Guaranteed Race Entry (runners only)
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation:
Check in: Fri 11 Oct | Check out: Mon 14 Oct 2024 - Private Pre-Marathon Group Dinner (Saturday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Supporters can join the Travelling Fit team to cheer on the runners
exclusive to Travelling Fit supporters - Post Marathon Celebration (Sunday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Travelling Fit experts available daily in Chicago to answer any questions
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Chicago Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Service Charges & taxes
- 5 DAY / 4 NIGHT PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES:
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation:
Check in: Thu 10 Oct | Check out: Mon 14 Oct 2024 - Warm Up Run alongside the river and lake (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Chicago River Lunch Cruise with light narrated architectural highlights and history (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Escort to the Marathon Expo (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation:
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The Chicago Marathon course is a thrilling 42.2 kilometre route that showcases the vibrant energy of the Windy City.
The loop course begins and ends at Grant Park, and is especially well-designed for those who want to see large portions of the city, as the course then routes runners through 29 different Chicago neighbourhoods.
The first few miles are in downtown Chicago, and the loop heads north up LaSalle, traversing through iconic neighbourhoods like Streeterville, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview. The course leads you along the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline, providing breath-taking views of the water and city skyline. You will also pass significant landmarks such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the historic Chicago Theatre.
The course then ventures into the diverse neighbourhoods of West Loop and Pilsen, where the spirited crowds add to the race atmosphere.
As runners approach the halfway point, they cross the Chicago River and make their way into the heart of the city, passing through the bustling streets of the Loop and cheering spectators.
The course culminates with a triumphant finish back in Grant Park, offering runners a sense of accomplishment against the backdrop of Chicago’s iconic architecture and skyline.
The flat and fast nature of the course makes it a favourite among elite athletes and recreational runners alike.
Testimonials
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- 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon October 12, 2008, Chicago, Illinois Photo by: Lisa Coniglio Victah1111@aol.com 631-741-1865 www.photorun.NET
Race Information
Entry Fees
Your entry fee for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is included in the cost of your package.
Qualifying Times
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon does not require a qualifying time.
Seeded Coral Starts are available for qualified participants.
You will have the option to submit a qualifying time for their start corral placement but the actual corral you are assigned to is at the discretion of the race organisers and cannot be guaranteed.
Start Time
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon starts at 7.30 am from Grant Park, Chicago.
The Race Day schedule is as follows:
- 5:30 a.m. – Gear check opens
- 5:30 a.m. – Start corrals open
- Marathon Wheelchair Start (men): 7:20 a.m.
- Marathon Wheelchair Start (women): 7:21 a.m.
- Marathon Handcycle Start: 7:23 a.m.
- Wave 1 Start (red): 7:30 a.m.
- Wave 2 Start (blue): 8 a.m.
- Wave 3 Start (orange): 8:35 a.m.
Note that your Travelling Fit representatives will be guiding you to the race start which is approx. 15 min. walk from your hotel.
Cut-Off Times
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a course time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes, at which time the course will re-open to vehicular traffic.
Participants must maintain a 15-minute per mile pace (approximately) and complete the full marathon distance—start line to finish line—within the event time requirement.
Those who finish outside of the time limit will not be recorded as official finishers and may not receive full on-course support from aid stations and traffic safety personnel.
Race Timing
Timing checkpoints are positioned at the start line, at each 5K, at the halfway point (13.1 miles) and at the finish line.
Your MYLAPS BibTag timing device will register split times at each of these checkpoints.
Race Packets
All participants are required to pick up their marathon packet from the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo.
Note: If you choose to book the 5 Day/4 Night package you will be escorted to the Expo on Friday, straight after the Chicago River Lunch Cruise.
You must present your packet pick-up email along with a photo ID to receive your participant packet and participant bag. You must pick up your participant packet and participant bag in person at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during regularly scheduled hours.
NOTES:
Race Packets and bags are not available for pick up the day of the event and will not be mailed to participants
Your race pack will include
- Bib number* and safety pins
- MYLAPS BibTag timing device
- Gear check tag
- Nike participant running shirt
- Participant bag
Registered participants age 21 and over will receive a tag on their bib number redeemable for one beer following the race.
Pace Setters
The Nike Pace Team is comprised of marathon veterans who help others achieve their performance goals.
The Nike Pace Team will pace groups of runners according to the following finish times:
3:00, 3:05, 3:10, 3:15, 3:20, 3:25, 3:30, 3:35, 3:40, 3:45, 3:50, 3:55
4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50,
5:00, 5:15, 5:30 and 5:45
Aid Stations
There are 20 aid stations located along the course approximately one to two miles apart. Each aid station consists of the following amenities in this order:
- Medical Tent with access to a Runner Transport vehicle*
- Toilet facilities
- Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavour)
- Public address announcer
- Water
Medical support is available at 22 on-course locations: all 20 aid stations and additional medical tents located between Mile 14 and Mile 15 (22.5km – 24.1km) and in the final mile. The tents are indicated by tall, red, blade signs with the medical icon.
Each medical tent is staffed by a team of medical professionals, is equipped with emergency and first aid supplies and has access to ambulance service.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
Before the marathon, all participants (open and seeded) may store their warm-up clothing in their designated Gear Check Tent within the Start/Finish area.
Camelbaks® and any type of hydration backpack are not permitted.
For the avoidance of doubt, fuel belts and hand-held water bottles are allowed. Please be aware you may be asked to empty the contents of these containers before entering Grant Park
TRANSPORT
The hotel that Travelling Fit has partnered with as part of our Marathon packages are located within walking distance to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon race start and finish area.
Expo
The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo features over 100 exhibitors offering Bank of America Chicago Marathon merchandise and the latest in running footwear, apparel, nutrition and technology.
Additionally, the Health & Fitness Expo is the home of the participant packet pick-up for all Marathon participants. Held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the two-day Expo is free and open to the public
The Expo will be held at:
McCormick Place Convention Center
Lakeside Center,
2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr
Chicago, IL 60616
Thursday, 10 October
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, 11 October
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 12 October
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
NOTES:
All participants are required to pick up their own participant packet (bib number and timing device) at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo during the scheduled hours of operation. All participants are required to show a government-issued photo ID that reflects the name they registered under upon picking up their own participant packet.
If you choose to book the 5 Day/4 Night package you will be taken to the Expo on Friday.
Race Packets and bags are not available for pick up the day of the event and will not be mailed to participants.10
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
A medal will be awarded to all official finishers who complete the full distance within the 6hrs 30mins cut-off.
Weather Conditions
The average temperature for October in Chicago is between 8 to 18 degrees Celsius (48 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit).
Others
Saturday 12 October
International Chicago 5K (recommended)
