2026 Reference
This planner uses 2026 wave start times. I'll switch it to 2027 times once they're announced.
This shows your runner's expected arrival time at each stop and the movement time budgeted for each leg between stops. No arrival buffer is baked in, you decide what is realistic. Movement times are first-pass estimates and should be checked against actual transit schedules and known race day closures.
Personalized plan
Your 3:30:00 spectator plan
Corral J • 8:00 AM wave • 8:01/mi average
Best fit for your balanced style
Lakeview Loop
All 4 stops on this route are shown below with the runner's expected arrival time and the movement time budgeted for each leg. Lakeview / Northalsted, Miles 7 to 9. Use those two numbers plus your own read on crowds and transit to decide what you can actually make.
Lakeview Loop
A proven Lakeview route: Sheridan, Belmont, Chinatown, Runner Reunite.
Mile 7 · Sheridan RoadMUST SEE
Runner arrives 8:56 AM
Start on the west side of Sheridan Road.
Transit or movement time to Broadway & Belmont: 12 min
Mile 9 · Broadway & BelmontMUST SEE
Runner arrives 9:12 AM
Walk toward Broadway & Belmont and reposition after your runner passes.
Transit or movement time to Chinatown: 47 min
Mile 21.5 · Chinatown
Runner arrives 10:52 AM
Walk to the Belmont Red Line and ride south to Cermak-Chinatown.
Transit or movement time to Runner Reunite: 40 min
Mile 26.2 · Runner Reunite
Runner arrives 11:30 AM
Take the Red Line north toward the Loop for Runner Reunite.
West Side / Pilsen
A Lakeview start folded into the West Side: Belmont, Little Italy, Pilsen, Chinatown, Runner Reunite. Transit budgets on this route are first-pass estimates, check them against CTA schedules and race-day closures.
Mile 9 · Broadway & BelmontMUST SEE
Runner arrives 9:12 AM
Start at Broadway & Belmont in Lakeview.
Transit or movement time to Little Italy / West Side: 42 min
Mile 17 · Little Italy / West Side
Runner arrives 10:16 AM
Take the Red Line to the Loop and transfer to the Blue Line toward UIC-Halsted, then walk to Little Italy near Taylor Street. This leg is long and race-day crowding can change it significantly.
Transit or movement time to Pilsen: 22 min
Mile 19.25 · Pilsen
Runner arrives 10:34 AM
Walk south from Little Italy into Pilsen near 18th Street. Verify against actual road closures between the two.
Transit or movement time to Chinatown: 28 min
Mile 21.5 · Chinatown
Runner arrives 10:52 AM
Walk or take the #21 Cermak bus east into Chinatown. Verify the bus routing is not disrupted by the course.
Transit or movement time to Runner Reunite: 35 min
Mile 26.2 · Runner Reunite
Runner arrives 11:30 AM
Take the Red Line north from Cermak-Chinatown back toward the Loop for Runner Reunite.
Downtown Blitz
A downtown-heavy route: Mile 1, Mile 3, Halfway, Chinatown, then Mile 26 or Runner Reunite.
Mile 1 · State & Lake
Runner arrives 8:08 AM
Start near State & Lake in the Loop.
Transit or movement time to Chicago & LaSalle: 13 min
Mile 3 · Chicago & LaSalle
Runner arrives 8:24 AM
Walk north and west toward Chicago & LaSalle. Stay positioned so you are not trapped by the course.
Transit or movement time to Halfway on Wacker: 38 min
Mile 13.1 · Halfway on Wacker
Runner arrives 9:45 AM
Walk south using LaSalle and the Riverwalk toward the halfway area on Wacker.
Transit or movement time to Chinatown: 43 min
Mile 21.5 · Chinatown
Runner arrives 10:52 AM
Walk back toward the Loop, then take the Red Line south to Cermak-Chinatown.
Transit or movement time to Michigan & Roosevelt: 38 min
Mile 26 · Michigan & Roosevelt
Runner arrives 11:28 AM
Take the Red Line north to Roosevelt and walk toward Michigan & Roosevelt.
South Side Finish
A lower-stress late-race plan built around Chinatown and the final miles.
Mile 21.5 · Chinatown
Runner arrives 10:52 AM
Make Chinatown your first major sighting.
Transit or movement time to South Loop: 33 min
Mile 25 · South Loop
Runner arrives 11:20 AM
Head north toward the South Loop final stretch.
Transit or movement time to Runner Reunite: 28 min
Mile 26.2 · Runner Reunite
Runner arrives 11:30 AM
Continue toward Grant Park and Runner Reunite.
Runner timetable
Key viewing times
Use this as your backup cheat sheet. The route recommendation above is more conservative because it also accounts for spectator travel time.
| Viewing spot | Mile | Runner arrives | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| State & Lake | 1 | 8:08 AM | Early downtown energy |
| Chicago & LaSalle | 3 | 8:24 AM | Second quick downtown look |
| Sheridan RoadMUST SEE | 7 | 8:56 AM | Lakeview / North Side |
| Broadway & BelmontMUST SEE | 9 | 9:12 AM | Northalsted / Lakeview |
| Old Town / Near North | 12 | 9:36 AM | North Side return |
| Halfway on Wacker | 13.1 | 9:45 AM | Big mental checkpoint |
| Little Italy / West Side | 17 | 10:16 AM | West Side option |
| Pilsen | 19.25 | 10:34 AM | Late-race energy |
| Chinatown | 21.5 | 10:52 AM | Late-race must-see |
| Bronzeville | 23.25 | 11:06 AM | Final 5K support |
| South Loop | 25 | 11:20 AM | Final 1.2 miles |
| Michigan & Roosevelt | 26 | 11:28 AM | Final on-course look |
| Runner Reunite | 26.2 | 11:30 AM | Post-race meetup. Spectator entrances open 9:30 AM, Monroe (Post-Race Party) 10:30 AM |
Want the full walk-through of each viewing spot? Read the Spectator Guide.