Chicago Marathon Course Preview, CH 2: Mile 9 to Mile 16
Below is a brief mile by mile breakdown of miles 9 through 16 of the Chicago Marathon Course, what to expect, and how to make the most of them.
If you are running the Chicago Marathon, you’ll find this helpful.
For the first 8 Miles, read the Chicago Marathon Course Preview, Ch 1: Start to Mile 8.
Mile 9 : Boystown
Welcome to Boystown, one of the LGBTQ centers of Chicago! Since leaving downtown, this is the loudest the marathon has been. Watch out for drag queens elevated on a stage putting on a concert. Grab a shot of beer (if you wish) from the spectators handing them out, the candies from the kids passing them out, and pet the dogs on the sidelines (if there’s a sign saying you’re welcome to). Some may argue that this is the first “party” of the race. Look around, take it in, and don’t forget to smile. The happiness here is high!
If the sun is out this year, you’ll probably want to have a pair of sunglasses and this stretch may be the first time you really wish you had them as you’re now facing the sun for the next 5 miles.
Mile 10 : Lakeview
About half way through you’ll turn from Broadway to Clark St. This stretch is a wonderful place for window shopping, brunch and cafes, and a nice Saturday morning stroll if you make it here the day before. If you do, notice the difference in energy and volume. Lakeview is one of the biggest neighborhoods in Chicago, and for an area that doesn’t feel very “city” compared to the first 4 miles, but still is home to many young people and young families, You’re closing in on halfway through the marathon, be so proud of how far you’ve come just to get to today’s celebration. Soak in the excitement, interact with the crowd, and don’t forget to hydrate!
Mile 11-12 : Lincoln Park and Old Town
Earlier, we went through Lincoln Park, the park. Now we get a taste of Lincoln Park, the neighborhood. You’re not here for long, and the blending between Lincoln Park and Old Town coming up is so smooth, you barely notice.
Technically the end of mile 11 is the beginning of Old Town, but it can help to think of the quiet tree-lined street of Sedgwick as Lincoln Park (Mile 11) and the energy of the pub-lined street of Wells as Old Town (Mile 12).
Your transition between the two miles will essentially take place as you move briefly down North Avenue to get from Sedgwick to Wells.
The Lincoln Park and Old Town miles are a quiet favorite of many. The tree-lined streets, bars and pubs, and more antique-feel (hence the name) of the area comes as a comfortable welcome to runners after the party and craze of Lakeview behind us. Take deep breaths, control the rhythm of your run, and enjoy.
Mile 13 : Half Way (ish)
We’re going back downtown! The return to skyscrapers, the Chicago River, and the halfway-excitement is a great boost before one of the two toughest parts of the course.
You’ll cross the river again, turn right onto Wacker (don’t worry, you’re above ground, no one’s getting lost), and around the bend in the river to 13.1! If you’re listening to music, turn it off. This is the closest you get to a finish line, before the actual finish line. The energy is high, the crowds are exciting, and Bon Jovi is likely playing somewhere nearby. Don’t miss the environment around you.
For some reason, people tend to feel really good and really strong at this point (sometimes the strongest they’ll feel in the entire race). Don’t be fooled, you still have a half marathon to go. Let the strength carry your confidence, but don’t push your pace yet. You’re about to be tested for the first time this race…
Mile 14 : West Loop
Before you exit downtown and head into West Loop, look for two landmarks along Wacker Drive: The Lyric Opera between Washington St and Madison St, and The Willis Tower (or Sears Tower, if you ask Chicagoans) at Adams Ave, just as you turn west onto Adams (blink and you miss it). Look up!
Once again, you’ll cross the river and on to Greektown and the Charity Block Party.
Mile 15 : Greek Town
Mile 15 is widely regarded as one of the two hardest miles of the marathon course (anyone who’s run it before will immediately be thinking of mile 23… we’ll get there later). This is a long stretch of running through a quieter section of the Chicago Marathon. There aren’t as many of the flashy, touristy Chicago landmarks, the crowds (while still loud) are thinner, and the shade is harder to find. If you brought music, this is for many the first time (if you weren’t listening the whole way through to begin with) you’ll want to open your playlist.
But it doesn’t have to be as challenging or daunting as some make it out to be. In fact, it’s not the entire mile that challenges runners. Mile 15 is bookended by two sections that give you something to look up to (stop staring at the ground) and look forward to.
The first chunk is Greek Town. You don’t pass through for very long, but it’s there. A smaller neighborhood, but one of the first culturally significant neighborhoods of the course. The second chunk is the Charity Block Party. This stretch of Mile 15 is lined with tent after tent after group after group of many of the charities fundraising for the marathon. If you’re running with a charity, look for your group here. Recognize all the causes being supported, the communities being served, and the inspiration all around you.
Mile 16 : West Side
Mile 16 brings you back towards the city! Almost immediately, you’ll pass the Mexican Consulate (or Consulado General de México). Just before turning left on Damen Avenue, you’ll see the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks for our basketball and hockey fans respectively) on your right. And as you turn on left Damen and almost immediately another left on Jackson, you’ll be rounding Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago.
And that concludes Chapter 2! Stay tuned for Chapter 3.
For a breakdown of the first 8 miles of the Chicago Marathon course, read here.
