Race: Chicago Marathon
Runner: Coach Drew Mikhail
Race Date: 10/09/2022
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Results: 4hrs14
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7937853056
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The crowds were tremendous. Hardly any quiet spots
- The expo was massive with tons of vendors and merch
- A very fast course
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
- Because of the tall buildings in the route expect GPS interference – you would have to find your pace by looking at your run time compared to the distance markers.
- This year had about 40,000 runners which is incredible. But expect to get caught behind other runners every so often as your try to maintain pace.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
I did not expect to do so much walking either to the expo or before & after the race. Something to keep in mind especially as you would want to stay fresh and avoid fatigue.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Made sure to stop at every aid station and used the energy from the cheering crowds to get through the difficult phases of running a marathon.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Because of the large number of participants be sure to plan additional time in getting to and from the expo as well as the start line area. When I took transit from my hotel on race morning, it was supposed to take 15 minutes to get to the main park but it took an extra ten minutes. Also, make reservations to restaurants on race weekend.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
In the first half of the race it is so easy to get caught up with all the fanfare and fast runners that you lose track of your own game plan.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The course is generally very flat with gentle rises and drops. Just one hill to be concerned about which happens to be in the final half mile. At the same time you do get a downhill in the final 200 meters to the finish line.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
The course is a scenic tour of Chicago.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
The course is fast and flat.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Very well organized from the expo to getting to the start line. All the way to meeting up with friends & family after the race.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Chicago is one of the six world majors. A strong field is expected.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
I got in via lottery which typically opens up soon after the current year’s race has ended. There are time qualifications as well as charity spots. I definitely recommend booking a hotel early.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
The aid stations on the course had Gatorade Endurance and water. Certain stations also offered gels and bananas. The aid stations were pretty frequent as there were 17 of them over 26.2 miles.
Weather and typical race conditions
The weather conditions were ideal for the run. Because you have to be at the start fairly early, it can be on the cool side. Be sure to wear additional layers until at least your wave starts.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
I would recommend bringing your own hydration for the first seven or eight miles as the aid stations do get congested.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
A tremendous course for spectators. Easy to navigate and each runner is trackable on an app you can download.
How’s the Swag?
The race shirt is nice with lots of samples in the race bag. There’s also a free Chicago marathon poster you can pick up at the expo. There is free beer in the post-race party for participants.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
5/5 – If you are excited about running in a big city race this is the one for you. I highly recommend it!
Drew Mikhail is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with him, check out his coach profile.