Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/11/2015
7:00 am
Category(ies)
On Sunday, October 11, 2015, 45,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries will participate in the 38th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon – a 26.2 mile course which starts and finishes in Grant Park, winds through downtown streets in the 42nd Ward, and 29 Chicago neighborhoods.
The Chicago Marathon begins at 7:20am (wheelchair race), 7:30am (marathon wave 1) and 8:00am (marathon wave 2), and will continue throughout the day. The start and finish line areas are both located in Grant Park on Columbus Drive with the route extending north to Addison St., west to Damen Ave. and south to 35th St.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS
Motorists and pedestrians should anticipate delays due to street closures and large crowds. With thousands of participants and spectators along the course, and street closures implemented prior to and during the race, those traveling throughout downtown and the various neighborhoods should expect delays, and allow extra time or consider alternate routes – such as the expressway system – to avoid the impacts of the race.
A parking ban will also be in effect along the route. The towing of vehicles and other posted “No Parking Zones” along the course will be strictly enforced beginning at 1:00am on Saturday, October 10. Please check signage for parking restrictions if you are parking near the marathon route – click here to download the course map. Vehicles will be ticketed and towed to the nearest auto-pound. For inquiries about towed vehicles, please call 312-744-4444.
Motorists should be aware that some street and lane closures are already in place in the Grant Park area, including Balbo from Columbus to Lake Shore Drive and Jackson from Columbus to Lake Shore Drive. Some closures on Columbus begin Thursday, and the full closure from Roosevelt to Monroe will be implemented by Friday.
Beginning Saturday, October 10 through race day, additional rolling closures in and around Grant Park may be imposed by the Chicago Police Department for public safety reasons. Street closures along the route will begin at approximately 7:00am on Sunday and streets are anticipated to be reopened by 4:30pm or when it is deemed safe to do so.