A mile-by-mile spectator’s guide to watching the 2023 Chicago Marathon
Where to cheer? Use our map and recommendations for every mile marker to help you stake out an optimal viewing perch.
A mile-by-mile spectator’s guide to watching the 2023 Chicago Marathon
Where to cheer? Use our map and recommendations for every mile marker to help you stake out an optimal viewing perch.
By Courtney KueppersOn pace to be the largest ever, this year’s Chicago Marathon — happening this Sunday, Oct. 8 — has attracted more than 47,000 registered runners. But what’s a giant footrace without its throngs of curbside spectators clapping, cheering and ringing cowbells?
If you’re planning to cheer on a racer, it can take some planning in order to see them on the course. For starters, know roughly when your runner is slated to begin — at 7:20 a.m. wheelchair athletes kick things off and the staggered start continues through 8:35 a.m. — and about what pace they’re aiming for. During the race, use the app to track their progress in real time (search for “Bank of America Chicago Marathon” in the App Store or Google Play store and find your person by number or last name).
Then, pick your spot. Deciding where to cheer often comes down to closeness to home or proximity to public transportation. To help, we mapped the course and sussed out the pros and cons of every mile marker. We also provide nearby options for coffee, plus the best breakfasts and lunch spots within short walking distance of the course. A reminder for when you’re navigating to where you want to stand: The marathon comes with many street closures.
How to watch from home: From 7-11 a.m., NBC Chicago will broadcast the race live and offer streaming online.
The mile marker locations listed below were provided by the Chicago Marathon’s course operation team. You can also study the official PDF of the race course and list of CTA stations along the route.
Having trouble viewing the map above? You can also see it here.
Start line
Where: Columbus and Monroe drives (Grant Park)
Pro tip: Don’t start your day here, spectators. On marathon morning, Grant Park will be accessible only to registered racers. The first wave leaves the park at 7:20 a.m., and the staggered start continues until 8:35 a.m. The park opens to the public at 9:30 a.m.
Mile 1
Where: Grand Avenue and Rush Street (Near North)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Grand Station
Coffee and food: The Bakery Box, 47 E. Ohio St.; Goddess and the Baker, 44 E. Grand Ave.; Stan’s, 535 N. Michigan Ave.; Starbucks, 505 Michigan Ave.
Pro tip: Excellent for taking in the sheer crush of humanity but not the best place to watch if you’re looking for a specific runner. The pack is dense for the first few miles, making it hard to spot individuals.
Mile 2
Where: State and Adams streets (The Loop)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red and Blue lines, Jackson Station
Coffee and food: Dunkin’, 39 W. Jackson Blvd.; Starbucks, 131 S. State St. Suite 210
Pro tip: From here you could easily get to Grant Park once it reopens to the public. Be aware that spectators are not allowed near the finish line.
Mile 3
Where: 333 N. LaSalle Drive (River North)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Grand Station
Coffee and food: Goddess and the Baker, Riverfront, 225 N. La Salle St.
Pro tip: As the runners make their way to River North, spectators can hang out along Chicago’s Riverwalk and see the racers as they cross over the LaSalle Drive bridge.
Mile 4
Where: LaSalle Drive and Elm Street (Near North)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Clark/Division Station
Coffee and food: Hashbrowns Cafe, 1155 N. Wells St.; La Colombe Coffee Roasters, 4 E. Elm St.
Pro tip: This mile marker is not far from mile 12, if you want to grab a bite then see your runner again there.
Mile 5
Where: Stockton Drive and Farm in the Zoo service entrance (Lincoln Park)
Coffee and food: Cocoa + Co. Coffee and Chocolate Cafe, 1651 N. Wells St.
Pro tip: Runners have left downtown, heading into Lincoln Park. These next couple miles may be a good spot to set up if you’re watching with kids. Farm in the Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo are nearby.
Mile 6
Where: Cannon Drive and North Pond restaurant’s service entrance (Lincoln Park)
Coffee and food: Colectivo Coffee, 2530 N. Clark St.
Pro tip: There’s plenty of space at this mile marker to spread out in the Lincoln Park greenspace; just off the course Sunshine Playground will keep young spectators entertained. A stone’s throw away is North Pond restaurant, 2610 N. Cannon Drive, which opens at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays (keep in mind that business casual attire is requested). This mile marker is about 0.5 miles from mile 10, if you want to see your runner twice in Lincoln Park.
Mile 7
Where: 3300 Inner Lake Shore Drive (Lake View East)
Coffee and food: The Coffee & Tea Exchange, 3311 N. Broadway; Eggsperience Cafe, 3233 N. Broadway; Esencia Urban Kitchen, 3351 N. Broadway; Wake ‘n Bacon, 420 W. Belmont Ave.
Pro tip: From here you could hustle over to see runners again between miles eight and nine. A reminder that you’ll want to be conscious of what side of the street you’re on (since, you know, it is hard to cross the street when it’s full of marathon runners). You’ll want to be on the west side of Inner Lake Shore Drive (the side furthest from the lakefront). From there, you can take Aldine Avenue or Roscoe Street over to catch the course again or grab a bite to eat.
Mile 8
Where: Broadway and Sheridan Road (Lake View)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Sheridan Station
Coffee and food: IHOP, 3760 N. Halsted St.; Pancake Cafe Wrigleyville, 3805 N. Broadway; Starbucks, 3845 N. Broadway; GoodTimes Brewery, 3827 N. Broadway (opens at 11:30 a.m.)
Pro tip: This is the most northern point of the course — from here, runners head back toward downtown. This spot does not offer great access to other mile markers, but it does have some nearby breakfast options for before or after your runner reaches this point. There’s also a playground — Gill Park Playground, 825 W. Sheridan Road — right along the course.
Mile 9
Where: Broadway and Briar Place (Lake View East)
Coffee and food: Intelligentsia Coffee Broadway Coffeebar, 3123 N. Broadway; Bae Coffee Company, 2945 N. Broadway; The Bagel Restaurant and Deli, 3107 N. Broadway; Cafe Korzo, 2935 N. Broadway; Fancy Plants Cafe, 613 W. Briar Place; Mini Donut Factory, 3151 N. Broadway; Stella’s Diner, 3042 N. Broadway; Wilde Bar & Restaurant, 3130 N. Broadway.
Pro tip: This is a busy stretch for spectators, so you may want to arrive early if you hope to snag a table to have breakfast before or after your runner goes by.
Mile 10
Where: Clark Street and Fullerton Parkway (Lincoln Park)
Coffee and food: Ludlow Charlingtons Coffee Shop, 2425 N. Clark St.; Cafecito, 411 W. Fullerton Parkway; The Galway Arms, 2442 N. Clark St. (opens at 10 a.m.)
Pro tip: Back in the heart of Lincoln Park, you can get here easily from mile six.
Mile 11
Where: Sedgwick Street and North Avenue (Old Town)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Brown Line, Sedgwick Station
Coffee and food: Philz Coffee, 1555 N. Wells St.; Sweet Vegan Bakes, 409 W. North Ave.
Pro tip: Most racers should reach this point by mid-morning; a runner who starts at 8:30 am and runs a 10-minute mile should reach this mile maker at around 10:30 a.m.
Mile 12
Where: Wells and Walton streets (Near North)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Clark/Division Station
Coffee and food: BULSHO restaurant, 211 W. Walton St.; Egg Harbor Cafe, 800 N. Wells St.; Griddle 24, 334 W. Chicago Ave.
Pro tip: Maybe you came over here from mile four and are looking for a bite to eat while you wait. Right along the course on Walton you’ll find BULSHO restaurant, a nondescript storefront that serves Somalian food; breakfast options range from $7-$15.
Mile 13/13.1
Where: Wacker Drive and Lake Street / Wacker Drive and Randolph Street (The Loop)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Brown, Pink or Orange lines; Washington/Wells Station
Coffee and food: Starbucks, 150 N. Upper Wacker Drive; Beatnik On The River, 180 N. Upper Wacker Drive
Pro tip: Back at the Riverwalk, participants are at the halfway point! The halfway mark is also where you’ll find the Bank of America Cheer Zone, meant to give runners a little extra encouragement to keep going.
Mile 14
Where: Adams Street between Halsted and Green streets (Greektown)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Blue Line, UIC-Halsted Station
Coffee and food: Athena Greek Restaurant, 212 S. Halsted St.; Greek Islands, 200 S. Halsted St.
Pro tip: This mile marker is just a block away from mile 17, making it easy to scurry between the two, but again, be conscious of what side of the street you decide to stand on. For easiest access to mile 17 on Jackson Boulevard, stand on the south side of Adams Street.
Mile 15/16
Where: Adams Street and Ashland Avenue / Jackson Boulevard between Paulina Street and Ashland Avenue (Near West Side)
Pro tip: This part of the course, on the Near West Side by the United Center, is really all about the Charity Block Party. The block party, located at Adams and Loomis streets, is put on by some of the charities marathon participants raise money for. Friends and family of charity runners are invited to come out to this part of the course.
Mile 17
Where: Jackson Boulevard and Green Street (Greektown)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Blue Line, UIC-Halsted Station
Coffee and food: 9 Muses Bar & Grill, 315 S. Halsted St.; Artopolis Bakery, Cafe & Agora, 306 S. Halsted St.; Ground Up Coffee & Bites, 900 W. Van Buren St.
Pro tip: Back in Greektown and easy to get to from mile 14.
Mile 18
Where: Taylor and Aberdeen streets (University Village / Little Italy)
Coffee and food: Busy Burger, 1120 W. Taylor St.; Demitasse Cafe, 1066 W. Taylor St.; Mochinut, 1139 W. Taylor St.; Thai Bowl, 1049 W. Taylor St.; Two Shades Cafe, 1152 W. Taylor St.
Pro tip: Taylor Street is packed with dining options. If you hang out here, you will not go hungry.
Mile 19
Where: Loomis Street between 15th and 16th streets (University Village / Little Italy)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Pink Line, 18th Station
Pro tip: As the course leaves the Little Italy/University Village area and heads toward Pilsen, this mile marker is right by Addams/Medill Park (1403 E. 14th St.), if you want to hang out there while runners pass by. This location also gives you close proximity to 18th Street, where food options are plentiful — see the list at mile 20.
Mile 20
Where: Halsted and 19th streets (Pilsen)
Coffee and food: Cafe Jumping Bean, 1439 W. 18th St.; Honky Tonk BBQ, 1213 W. 18th St.; Kristoffer’s Cafe & Bakery, 1733 S. Halsted St.; Rubi’s Tacos,1316 W. 18th St.; Simone’s, 960 W. 18th St.
Pro tip: Now in Pilsen, the course heads down 18th Street, where there are plenty of neighborhood favorites to check out before or after your runner passes by.
Mile 21
Where: Cermak Road just west of Grove Street (Chinatown)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Cermak-Chinatown Station
Coffee and food: Dolo Restaurant and Bar, 2222 S. Archer Ave.; Golden Bull Restaurant, 242 W. Cermak Road; MingHin Cuisine, 2168 S. Archer Ave.; Phoenix Restaurant, 2131 S. Archer Ave.; Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, 2002 S. Wentworth Ave. #103
Pro tip: This mile and the area near Chinatown are late in the race, which means it’ll be closer to lunchtime when runners reach this spot. This mile marker is also a short walk to Ping Tom Park (1700 S. Wentworth Ave.).
Mile 22
Where: 26th Street just west of Federal Street (Ickes Prairie Homes)Coffee and food: Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum, 2253 S. Wentworth Ave.; Go 4 Food, 212 W. 23rd St.; Slurp Slurp Noodles, 2247 S. Wentworth Ave.; Triple Crown Restaurant, 2217 S. Wentworth Ave.
Pro tip: You could also stand here to catch runners as they head out of Chinatown, then backtrack for lunch.
Mile 23
Where: Michigan Avenue and 32nd Street (Bronzeville)Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red Line, Sox-35th Station; Green Line, 35th-Bronzeville-IIT Station
Coffee and food: Harold’s Chicken, 124 E. 35th St.; Yassa African Restaurant, 3511 S. King Drive
Pro tip: Toward the end of the race is when runners tend to need some extra encouragement. If you decide to camp out at mile 23, you can also quickly cut across to see runners again at mile 24. To do so, you’ll want to be standing on the east side of Michigan Avenue at this mile marker.
Mile 24
Where: Indiana Avenue, just north of 31st Street (South Commons)
Pro tip: Runners are heading to the finish line now. If you stand here, you’re unlikely to have another chance to see your racer.
Mile 25
Where: Michigan Avenue and 21st Street (South Loop)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Green Line, Cermak-McCormick Place Station
Coffee and food: Fatpour Tap Works, 2206 S. Indiana Ave.; Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta, 2106 S. Indiana Ave.; Steve’s Bite, 80 E. Cermak Road
Pro tip: Now in the South Loop, this is one of the last stretches to see runners before they enter Grant Park for the finish line.
Mile 26
Where: Roosevelt Road and Indiana Avenue (South Loop)
Coffee and food: Aurelio’s Pizza South Loop, 1212 S. Michigan Ave.; Burger Bar Chicago, 1150 S. Michigan Ave.; Giordano’s, 1340 S. Michigan Ave.
Pro tip: Home to the final “cheer zone,” this can be a pretty congested spot for spectators, since it’s the final chance to see runners before they turn onto Columbus Drive for the last stretch. The restaurants on Michigan Avenue could be convenient alternative meeting spots for your runner, if you’d rather not navigate the post-race scrum in the park.
Finish line
Where: Columbus Drive (Grant Park)
Nearest ‘L’ stop: Red, Green and Orange lines, Roosevelt Station
Pro tip: You cannot greet your runner at the finish line. Instead, plan to meet them at the 27th mile post-race party area in Grant Park. Spectators must go through security to enter, either at the corner of Jackson Drive and Michigan Avenue or Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue.
Give your runner a high-five! They made it!
Courtney Kueppers is a digital producer/reporter at WBEZ.