How fast does Chicago Marathon fill up?

I emailed them over the winter to ask this question and was told last year it filled up around June/July.  You can go to the website and email them to ask how full it is and I think they'll update you.

Yup, thats about right.

Speaking of Chicago - It rules.

I ran my first and only full marry in Chicago, 2002, let me tell you about bonking. Don't do it in China Town.

I took in maybe 100-150 calories, I need to do it again....I volunteered last year in Littly Italy and had a great time....almost enough fun to register again. Just doesn't fit into the calender this year.

Well, the course is full of spectators pretty much throughout the course except for parts on the near south side before China Town....You run through the most of the hoods and the loop.

If you have friends watching they can bounce around the city on the red line catching you at Sox/35th and Belmont (boys town). The course goes through the loop which is easy to hit on the brownline as well.

Very flat course...ie ZERO hills, just an on ramp or two. Very big race....so without a preferred / competitive start a PR could be a problem, but great, for first timers.

I hear the people in the city are the best in the world (Me).

If it's your first time, it's an automatic PR, is it not ?  Also, since it's Champion Chipped, your time is your time, regardless if it takes you an hour to get to the start line - isn't that so?

And I agree with the best people statement 100% !

Edited by Tania 2006-04-26 5:00 PM

True about Chip time....but with 40K runners it takes forever to space out...by Lincoln Park it finally starts to thin out, the first few miles are slow - its like being in rush hour traffic.

hate to be the a$$ to ask BUT.....

are there hills in illinois?

Near the mississippi river...that's pretty much it.