You’ve probably heard it a thousand times. The 2024 Chicago Marathon route is "flat and fast." It is the mantra of every pacer, the promise of every training plan, and the reason 50,000 people descend on Grant Park every October. But honestly? Calling it "flat" is a bit of a lie. It’s mostly flat, sure. But that one tiny incline at the very end—the infamous "Mount Roosevelt"—feels like scaling Everest when you have 26 miles in your legs.
If you’re looking at the map, it looks like a giant, sprawling cloverleaf. It starts in the shadows of skyscrapers and ends in the same place, but what happens in between is a 26.2-mile tour of Chicago's soul. From the drag queens in Northalsted to the dragon dancers in Chinatown, the course is less of a race track and more of a moving block party.
The Logistics of the Loop
The race kicks off in Grant Park. It’s chaotic. You’ve got thousands of people shivering in foil blankets, trying to find their corrals while the sun starts to peek over Lake Michigan. The 2024 route actually zig-zags through 29 different neighborhoods. That’s a lot of turns.
One thing people often overlook is the GPS issue.
Basically, the first few miles are a nightmare for your Garmin. When you’re running through the Loop and River North, those massive buildings—the ones that make the city so pretty—absolutely destroy satellite signals. You’ll look down and see you’re running a 3-minute mile. You aren't. Don’t believe the watch. Trust your breath until you get past Mile 4 and the sky opens up.
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Heading North: The Party Miles
After you cross the Chicago River for the first time, you head into River North and then toward the North Side. This is where the energy is highest. You hit Old Town around Mile 4 and 5, and the crowds are already three-deep.
- Mile 7 to 9: You’re in Lakeview and Northalsted (formerly Boystown). This is arguably the loudest part of the whole 2024 Chicago Marathon route. Expect high-energy music, incredible outfits, and a wall of sound that can actually make you run too fast if you aren't careful.
- The Turn: Around Mile 8, you’re up near Addison, not far from Wrigley Field, before the course hooks back south.
The transition from Mile 11 to 12 brings you back toward the city center. You’re running down Wells Street, and the buildings start to get tall again. This is a bit of a "danger zone" for pacing. You’ve done the fun part, the North Side loop is over, and you’re heading back toward the skyscrapers. It’s easy to feel like you’re almost done. You aren't. You’re not even halfway.
The West Side: Where the Real Race Begins
Most veterans will tell you the marathon doesn't actually start until Mile 20, but in Chicago, the West Side transition at Mile 13 is the mental turning point. You cross the river again and head toward the West Loop and Greektown.
The scenery changes.
The tall buildings disappear, which means the sun starts hitting you. If it’s a warm day, you’ll feel it here first. You’ll pass the United Center—where the Bulls and Blackhawks play—near Mile 15. It’s a bit more industrial, a bit more spread out. Honestly, it can feel a little lonely compared to the North Side, but the "Charity Block Party" at Mile 15 usually gives runners a much-needed second wind.
The South Side Soul
By the time you hit Pilsen at Mile 19, your legs are starting to talk back to you. They’re probably saying things like "why are we doing this?" or "please stop." But then you hear the mariachi bands.
The energy in Pilsen is different. It’s soulful. It’s loud in a way that feels supportive rather than just noisy. You’re running past colorful murals and families grilling on their porches.
Then comes Chinatown at Mile 21.
The dragon dancers and the massive drums are iconic. You’re entering the "dead zone" of the race, but the Chinatown gate gives you that visual marker that you’re heading home. From here, it’s a straight shot—mostly—down Michigan Avenue.
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The Mount Roosevelt Myth
Let’s talk about the finish.
The 2024 Chicago Marathon route finishes back in Grant Park, but to get there, you have to survive the last mile. You’re running north on Michigan Avenue, and you can see the finish area. You’re so close. But then, you turn right onto Roosevelt Road.
It’s a bridge. In any other context, it’s a tiny bump in the road. In the context of Mile 26, it’s a mountain.
You have to dig deep for about 200 meters of incline. Once you crest that hill, you take a sharp left onto Columbus Drive, and the finish line is right there. It’s a literal downhill sprint to the end. That last 400 meters is the most glorious, painful, exhilarating stretch of pavement in the Midwest.
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Actionable Tips for Future Runners
If you’re planning to tackle this course in the future, don’t just look at the elevation map and think it’s a breeze.
- Manual Laps: Because of the GPS interference downtown, learn how to hit the "lap" button on your watch at every mile marker. Don't rely on the auto-lap feature or you’ll be doing math in your head at Mile 22, which is impossible.
- Tangent Running: The "blue line" painted on the road is the shortest path. Follow it. If you swing wide on every turn, you’ll end up running 26.5 miles instead of 26.2.
- Wind Prep: Chicago is the Windy City for a reason. Often, the stretch heading south on Michigan Avenue (Miles 23-25) can have a brutal headwind. Try to find a "bus"—a group of runners—to tuck in behind to save energy.
- Spectator Strategy: Tell your friends to meet you on the West Side or South Side. The North Side is fun, but you’ll need them way more at Mile 18 or 23 when the "marathon fog" sets in.
The 2024 route proved once again why Chicago is a world-record course. It’s built for speed, but it’s the neighborhoods that actually get you to the finish line. Whether you're chasing a Boston qualifying time or just trying to finish before the sweep bus, that final turn off Roosevelt is a feeling you’ll never forget.