WELCOME TO CHICAGO
Travelling Fit is proud to advise that we are the official International Travel Partner for the Bank of American Chicago Marathon and we have been organising packages to this World Marathon Major event for the past 18 years.
We are offering an exclusive 5 Day/4 Night package (which includes a Chicago River Lunch Cruise on the Friday with escort to the marathon expo) or 4 Day/3 Night package, both at our hotel of choice, the Renaissance, an eye-popping design hotel with stunning views and innovative culinary creations. The hotel is conveniently located to many of Chicago’s sights and within walking distance to the start/finish line.
As a fully accredited travel agency we provide a full range of services to our clients. This enables us to book your additional touring to help you create your perfect holiday experience.
- Packages Include
- 4 DAY / 3 NIGHT PACKAGE
- Guaranteed Race entry to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Runners only)
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation: Check in: Fri 06 Oct | Check out: Mon 9 Oct 2023
- Private Pre-Marathon Group Dinner exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
- Supporters will be looked after on race day to cheer on the runners exclusive to Travelling Fit supporters
- Post Marathon Celebration 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 05 Oct | Check out: Mon 09 Oct 2023
- Warm Up Run alongside the river and lake – exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
- Chicago River Lunch Cruise – exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
- Escort to the Marathon Expo – exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its flat and fast course that starts and finishes in Grant Park and travels through one of the world’s most magnificent cities.
The course has produced four world records, several national records and countless personal bests. Runners enjoy the support of 1.7 million spectators as they run through 29 neighbourhoods.
Run alongside amateurs and world record holders as you weave your way through 29 historic neighbourhoods and landmarks. The atmosphere alone will get you through those 42.195 kilometres.
Sounds good right? Well it is! Having run marathons all over the world ourselves, we highly recommend travelling abroad to race. We can even do better than make recommendations, we can help you book a travel package that will save you money and give you peace of mind so you can concentrate on running your marathon.
Testimonials
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.
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 less than 10 minutes 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 will require your Confirmation Ticket or Confirmation E-mail and your photo ID when picking up your race packet.
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 Goose Island 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 flavor)
- Public address announcer
- Water
Gatorade Endurance Energy Gels will be available at Aid Stations 10 and 14.
Aid Stations 15-18 will offer bananas.
Medical support is available at 22 on-course locations: all 20 aid stations and additional medical tents located between Mile 14 and Mile 15 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, 5 October
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, 6 October
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, 7 October
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
NOTES:
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.
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 7th October
International Chicago 5K (recommended)
