Course & Amenities

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its fast and flat course through one of the world's most magnificent cities. Elite athletes and amateurs alike annually target the race for its potential to generate personal, national and world records. In addition to its speed, the course offers a scenic tour of Chicago and its lively neighborhoods, as well as a convenient start and finish in beautiful Grant Park. You are guaranteed to see all that is great about the city of Chicago.

Click here (.pdf) to download the 2010 course map.

Aid Stations
Medical Support
Course Time Limit
Clocks and Mile Markers
Runner Refreshment
Street Closures 

Aid Stations
20 Aid Stations are located along the course approximately one to two miles apart. Each Aid Station includes the following amenities in this order: Medical Tent with access to a runner drop-out vehicle, toilet facilities, Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavor) and water. Aid Station 13 (mile 17.8) offers Accel Gel (vanilla and chocolate flavors) and Aid Stations 15-18 (miles 20 – 23.5) offer bananas.

Each Aid Station is approximately two city blocks in length; participants are advised to continue moving through the Aid Station if the first tables are too crowded to conveniently obtain fluids.

Click here for specific Aid Station locations.

Medical Support
Medical staff is available at 21 on-course locations (20 Aid Stations and an additional Medical Tent in the final mile). All Medical Tents can be identified by tall, red, teardrop-shaped signs marked with the Medical Tent icon. Each tent is equipped with a team of certified medical personnel, ambulances, emergency and First Aid supplies.

In Grant Park, the main Medical Tent is located just beyond the finish line. An additional Medical Tent is located in the Runner Reunite area at the 27^th Mile Post-Race Party. For the safety of all participants, only those requiring medical assistance will be allowed access into the Medical Tents.

American Red Cross Patient Connection Program
In the event a participant is transported to a local area hospital at the discretion of the medical team, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago’s Patient Connection staff will be on hand in Grant Park to provide information regarding that patient to family and friends. Patient Connection staff can be found near the entrance to both Grant Park Medical Tents – one just beyond the finish line and a second at the 27th Mile Post-Race Party. Or, family members may call 312.729.6200 and speak with a Patient Connection Operator to find out a patient’s whereabouts.

Course Time Limit
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes. The course will officially close at the 6:30 mark. At that time all roads will re-open to vehicular traffic and on-course support and amenities will discontinue. Participants who have not completed the course in 6:30 will be required to use sidewalks adjacent to the course and to obey all traffic signals and signs.

Clocks and Mile Markers
Digital clocks are positioned at the following locations throughout the course: the start line, each mile marker, each 5K marker, the halfway point (13.1 miles), one mile to go, and the finish line. Digital clocks provide the elapsed event time (gun time). Mile and kilometer markers will be positioned at each mile and 5K checkpoint. Digital clocks at the finish line will display unofficial finish times. The elapsed event time begins with the marathon start at 7:30 a.m.

Runner Refreshment at the Finish Line
Upon crossing the finish line, participants will have access to water, Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavor), energy bars, bananas, bagels and additional food items supplied by Whole Foods.

Street Closures
For residents who live along the Marathon course, and for those traveling to and from Chicago on race day, please be aware that extensive street closures will take place on race day. In addition, No Parking Zones along the course will be enforced in the early morning hours.

Please check back for specific details. We will provide comprehensive street closure information prior to the event.