Hi, I'm Alex, a runner based in the western suburbs of Chicago. I built chi.run because when I trained for my first Chicago Marathon in 2024, I kept running into the same problem: every time I had a real question, I had to stitch the answer together from Reddit threads, running store conversations, random blogs, and whatever wisdom I could squeeze out of veteran runners.
The official info is fine, but it leaves out the stuff that actually matters when you live and train in Chicago. How to survive winter miles. How to deal with summer humidity. How the Distance Series fits together. Which tune-up races matter. Where the course starts to bite. Which spectator plans actually work. All the things you do not learn until you are deep into the process.
My running story started earlier that year. In June 2024, I signed up for the Chicago 13.1 and built my own DIY plan. I took bits of advice from YouTube, blogs, friends, and gut instinct. That half marathon gave me just enough confidence to sign up for the full, and that is when the deep dive began. Once I commit to something, I want to understand it completely. So I researched everything. I tested everything. And I kept notes on all of it.
By race day, I had built my own unofficial Chicago Marathon playbook. I crossed the finish in 3:54:29, and as proud as I was of the run, I kept thinking one thing on the walk home. Why is all this info so hard to find in one place?
That is why chi.run exists. I built the guide I wish I had when I started.
My 2024 Chicago Marathon
- Finish Time: 3:54:29
- Lesson Learned: The marathon rewards preparation, not vibes
Now I'm signed up for Chicago 2026 and running the full Distance Series. This time I know what's coming. You can see the exact gear I train and race in on the gear page.
Injuries and Setbacks
I did not breeze through training. I dealt with plantar fasciitis that made getting out of bed feel like stepping on gravel. I also picked up an upper back issue that showed up during long runs and refused to leave quietly. A couple of my twenty milers turned into pure stubbornness sessions. None of it was the end of the world, but it forced me to learn recovery, pacing, patience, and when to back off. In a weird way, those nagging issues made me a smarter runner.
What Makes chi.run Different
This is not written by a coach with thirty years of experience.
It is written by a normal Chicago runner who just went through exactly what you are about to go through, and took detailed notes along the way.
This guide is:
- Chicago-focused. Weather, neighborhoods, the real course feel, local routes, tune-up races, winter survival, and everything unique to this city.
- Practical. No vague advice with no context. Only what actually helped.
- Always evolving. I am already training for 2026, and the site grows as I keep learning.
- Independent. No sponsored content or paid placements. Some links on this site are affiliate links, disclosures are on relevant pages. No polished marketing language. Just honest info.
Why Trust This Guide?
Because it is built from the exact questions runners ask when they train here:
- How do Shamrock, Chicago 13.1, and fall half marathons fit together?
- What is October race day actually like in Chicago?
- Where can spectators actually see you three or four times without teleporting?
- Which neighborhoods give you a boost when you need it most?
- What should you expect when miles 18 to 23 hit like a brick wall?
I obsessed over these questions. I tested every theory during training. I learned through mistakes and from smarter runners around me. This site is the result.
The Mission
My goal is simple.
Make your Chicago Marathon journey less overwhelming and more successful.
If you are a first-timer, you are exactly who I built this for. If you are a returning runner, my hope is you find insights that make this year smoother than the last.
Chicago is an incredible city to train in, even when the weather tries to break you. And the marathon is one of the best days you can have on two legs. I want you to show up ready, confident, and not guessing your way through the process the way I did.
Let's Connect
Have questions? Want to share your own insights? See something I should add or fix?
I would genuinely love to hear from you.
And if this guide helps you at all, please share it with another Chicago runner. The more runners this helps, the better.
Chi.run is an independent resource created by a local runner, not affiliated with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.