Chicago Marathon Reviews

Chicago Marathon has an overall rating of 3.5 based on 39 reviews. Customer feedback on Chicago Marathon is mixed: Chicago Marathon reviewers highlight positive aspects like well-organized event, enthusiastic crowd support, scenic course, excellent post-race amenities, which strongly appeal to experienced runners, first-time marathon participants, running enthusiasts, local and visiting spectators. However, Chicago Marathon is often criticized for its high registration fees, crowded starting area, limited parking options, unpredictable weather conditions.

3.5/5.0

39 reviews

5 Stars

8

4 Stars

10

3 Stars

3

2 Stars

5

1 Star

3

All Chicago Marathon Reviews (39)
hello_silvia199
June 01, 2026
"Pacing support works when it wants to"
The pacing support wasn’t great for me. The pacer info was kind of unclear, and on race day I didn’t really get much help staying on pace. It felt like one of those features that works when it wants to, but I wouldn’t count on it when it actually matters...
LillianWhitney_03
June 01, 2026
"Easy, fun expo, blame the staff for making me stay longer"
Bib pickup was super quick, and the staff were so nice that I kind of blame them for making the whole thing feel way more fun than I expected. The expo had a really good energy, and I ended up hanging around longer than I planned.
MargeCrawford_21
June 01, 2026
"I really liked the Chicago Marathon course..."
I really liked the Chicago Marathon course, really liked it. It’s mostly flat and takes you through so many different neighborhoods that it never felt dull or repetitive. The downtown sections were especially fun, fun in that loud, high-energy way with crowds cheering everywhere. I’d probably give it 4 stars just because a few turns and crowded stretches made it tough to settle into a steady pace. But overall, overall it’s a great route and I’d definitely recommend it.
danielle_Nolan98
May 18, 2026
"Timing was absolutely on point"
I used chicagomarathon.com after the race to check my official time and splits, and I’m telling you, it was basically dead-on. The results showed up quickly, and when I compared them with my watch, they were only off by a few seconds here and there, which is 100% normal and not even worth stressing over.
The only reason I wouldn’t go full 5 stars is because the page took a little while to load the first time I pulled it up. But once it came through, everything was easy to find, super clear, and the accuracy was absolutely solid.
janetbabin2952
May 13, 2026
"Busy, but I still felt safe"
It was definitely crowded, like, I noticed that first before anything else—but somehow it didn’t feel out of control. I kept thinking it might get stressful, then we’d move along and it was fine. The crowd control seemed well handled overall, and I felt safe the whole time.
MaeAndrews_35
May 09, 2026
"That Finish Line Felt Like a Movie"
Crossing the finish line felt amazing. After all that effort, that final moment hit like the big dramatic ending to a story, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
HERNANDEZ
April 30, 2026
"Water and gels did the job"
A friend recommended these to me, and they worked out well. The water and gels kept me going without any issues, so I was happy with them...
Joseph.lozano
April 24, 2026
"The transit info made race morning way less..."
The transit info made race morning way less stressful, which I really appreciated. Everything was clear and easy to follow. That said, after paying for the event, I do feel like good communication should be standard, and I’d hope organizers consider some kind of credit or compensation if other parts of the experience didn’t go as smoothly
Annie_crisp87
April 17, 2026
"I used chicagomarathon.com to look up registration dates..."
I used chicagomarathon.com to look up registration dates and check out the course details, and it was straightforward. The menus made sense (which is always a relief), and the pages loaded quickly for me. I found what I needed without having to click around forever. Overall, it’s a simple, easy-to-use site with no real issues.
john1984
April 14, 2026
"The start area was smooth..."
The start area was smooth overall. The corrals weren’t hard to find, and the volunteers were genuinely helpful whenever I had a question. The bathroom lines did get long, but they still seemed to move along okay. it was all fine. Then suddenly I was like, wow, this is happening, I’m really about to run this thing.
Elma.feltus
April 11, 2026
"Security was surprisingly smooth"
I went through the security screening before the race and, it was way easier than I expected. The lines kept moving, the staff explained everything clearly, and I didn’t feel stressed or rushed at all. Overall, it was a solid setup. Since I’m taking the time to share my experience, I’m hoping this counts toward whatever compensation or credit was mentioned.
AnnaKonopka_16
April 10, 2026
"Fair setup, just a bit packed"
Overall, the corral setup felt fair, which I really appreciated because everyone deserves a decent shot at getting where they need to be. It was just a little crowded at times, but nothing that felt too unfair or out of line.
RoseObrien
April 10, 2026
"The updates were a little confusing haha"
The emails about the updates could’ve been clearer. I had to read through them a couple times to figure out what was going on, haha
robertwalker1954
April 08, 2026
"There were definitely a few nice..."
There were definitely a few nice spots to stop and look around, but overall it was just kind of plain. Nice enough, nice here and there, but not really anything that amazed me.
MichaelHibbitt
April 04, 2026
"Gear check was kinda frustrating"
I ran Chicago and loved the race overall, but the gear check experience was kinda a mess. The lines were confusing, and different staff members kept telling people different things, which made it stressful. It also took way too long to get my bag afterward. For such a big event, I was kinda expecting that part to be a lot smoother.
willie2002
April 04, 2026
"Really solid race day medical support"
I was impressed with the medical setup on race day. The tents were easy to find, and the volunteers were checking on people really quickly. I got a cramp around mile 20 and was able to get help fast, which was such a relief. My only small note is that the signs near the finish could’ve been bigger, but overall it was great to know help was right there.
david_Boatner99
April 03, 2026
"The app did a good job..."
The app did a good job tracking my runner!! It was easy to follow along and worked better than I expected
NellieWilcox
March 28, 2026
"too expensive for what you get"
i totally get that a big marathon isn’t cheap to put on, but the entry fee still felt like a lot for what you actually get. once you add in travel, a hotel, food, and all the random extras, it turns into a expensive weekend fast.
the race itself was fun and the atmosphere was cool, so it’s not like i hated it. i just came away feeling like it’s more of a pricey experience than a good value for regular runners, and i’m not sure i’d sign up again.
howard-Kennedy
March 13, 2026
"They made registration harder than it needed to be"
I tried signing up for the Chicago Marathon it felt way more annoying than it should have been. It’s just registration, but the site was slow, a few steps were confusing, and I kept having to go back and double-check my info because I wasn’t sure if it saved right. For such a big event, I expected the whole thing to be straightforward. I did get registered in the end, but they really turned a simple task into a hassle.
JefferyDimond
February 22, 2026
"Helpful info, but refunds are tough"
I looked up the refund and deferral rules on Chicago Marathon. It was easy to understand. If you need a full refund, it is not great. The options are limited. The deferral policy is explained clearly though. Just make sure you read the dates carefully. It would be easy to miss something. Overall, it felt fair. Just a little strict

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