Chicago Marathon Tips from a 4x Finisher

[@BenParkes]

Can't wait to run Chicago hopefully in 2023! Watching this getting excited, thanks Mike!

[@christinaclementson]

See you there Ben! 😊😊

[@Rcampanate]

Let's gooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Chicago 2024!!!!!!!!!

[@kofuzi]

Have a great race!

[@merlincalo6877]

🙌

[@spencer-edelman]

Same!

[@Rcampanate]

Can you believe I was able to personally say "hi" to him in Chicago? Met him at Hilton hotel. Cheers 🍻

[@FoxBox72]

Watching this in 2023 as the big day begins to approach. Thanks for some great tips 👍

[@kofuzi]

Hope you’ll come to the shakeout!

[@flyingneedle]

As a 2021 alum/survivor, I am incredibly jealous of the weather forecast this year. Gonna be some fast times. These are great tips. That quiet stretch with the Sears Tower way in the distance is really memorable to me as the true "doldrums" of the race. Saw a lot of people giving up there with the sun blasting in our faces and the temperature climbing up toward the high 70s. It's brutal. Don't give up, the crowds get great again down the last 10K! Oh and I did have a tip for Mount Roosevelt: buddy up with someone/make friends with a stranger when you turn. I was hurting, but me and this guy turned to each other and all we could do was laugh, and now I look back at that hill as my favorite part of the race, like a sadistic hilarious joke at the end.

[@Drew.Whitcomb]

2021 was no joke. It was a house of horrors out there with people going down left and right due to the heat.

[@JD-ku3xt]

What hill? Thee was one slight hill at the end. I do feel bad for people who did it last year in the heat, though. But this was the flattest marathon I've done by far. It is designed for PR (dependent on weather).

[@latebloomerrunner]

Kofuzi...you have the BEST TIPS on the internet hands down!!! Thank you. I feel much more prepared for this Sunday's race! 😊😊

[@neilhanlon5547]

I absolutely ADORE this race and everything about it. Good luck to all those running this weekend.

[@Kirby02140]

I got a thirty minute PR yesterday, no small thanks to this video helping me feel so prepared for every nuance of the course! Thank you Kofuzi!! 👏👏

[@kofuzi]

congratulations!!!

[@dalegaliniak607]

"Mount Roosevelt", love it! This will be my fifth, too, and some advice I have is to be skeptical of GPS through _most_ of the race. It'll kick in and out at the weirdest times, even outside of that starting area. Also, especially if you're a more novice runner, be _very_ careful of the starting adrenaline. After standing around for a few hours, you hit that starting line, and your body just wants to _go_ and most of the people around you will also be going out too fast. Combine that with not getting good GPS pace, it's easy to end up five or so miles in, finding out you've been going _way_ too hard, your original goal pace is starting to feel like a huge chore, and with 20+ miles to go, it's going to get really painful before the end. My advice is to know what your heart rate should be, and stick to it, no matter what, even if all the people are passing you by in the beginning. At Mile 20, your body will thank you (and you'll pass all those other people then as a bonus).

[@markoljustina]

are there toilets also in corals?

[@hectormoraga3780]

Great tips.......subway and bus for the Expo on thursday......easy and cheap......see you in Chicago, thanks so much for the helpful info!!!!

[@icehotchilli]

Thank you so much for the tips, especially the last part! I wish they had those signs for all the big marathons, so that I know when to push myself for the last .1 mile or so. Another tip I know is following the blue dashed line to avoid extra distance during the race.

[@cathynewyork7918]

The New York City Marathon has signs to let you know when to push yourself for the finish of the race. The New York City Marathon has a sign for "1 mile to go," then signs for 800 meters, 400 meters, and 200 meters. Very helpful for pacing your last mile.

[@kimmoniva733]

30+ marathons under my belt but first Chicago Marathon and 3rd major. Best tip;respect the distance and have fun on the course🏃

[@JS-ft3ux]

Weather looks perrrrfect this weekend! Let’s run smart and go home happy.

[@mitchhull8247]

I’m running it this year! I can’t wait, I’m so excited. Hoping for a PR 🤞

[@wilfredo-teyrosalesfotos]

Hopefully next year I’ll be in that number 🙌🏽 and best of luck to all the Kofuzians this weekend 🤜🏾🤛🏻

[@kevinwang2456]

This is gonna be my 3rd major in 15 days!! Can’t wait for the windy city!! I am 200% less anxious now, thank you thank you!!! 🤣 Biggest fan from Taiwan 😎

[@kofuzi]

see you soon!

[@JoseGuzmanMusic]

Thanks for the tips dude! Looking for my 4th finisher medal myself. Good luck to everyone on Sunday! LET'S DO THIS!

[@kylehudgins5255]

Thanks for the tips! First time visiting Chicago and running the marathon. I'm really looking forward to it.

[@dqdave]

Panic days…. Each area of my feet and muscles and knees take their turn hurting and constantly convincing me I can’t run on Sunday. My 11th Chicago. Appreciate your input and support. Thank you for your work and time!

[@kofuzi]

I can’t answer that for you

[@dqdave]

@@kofuzi it’s more of just complaining, and nervousness, your videos inspire all of us towards our goal.

[@mechadriver5088]

Brings back memories of my 2019 race. I remember watching your videos before that race too!! Best of luck.

[@LuisBecerra79]

Yo, what’s going on!!!

[@kofuzi]

yo!

[@matthewsmclinn9311]

2022 will be my 10th Chicago marathon and there were a few items even I'll take away. Great tips and great video! For the expo, I 'm cheap and usually take the Redline to the Cermak/Chinatown stop and take the Cermak bus (#21) which stops right by both the and Greenline Cermak/McCormick Place stop and heads directly to the expo (McCormick Place). I may end up just grabbing a Divvy bike though if I don't see a bus per your suggestion. On race day, for those taking the 'el', it's helpful to be aware that there are multiple 'el' stops near the race start. So, the best stop to get off for you will depend on your preferred entrance gate/start wave. None of the stops in the loop will be too far, but if you want to cut down on your pre-race walk, it's worth considering. The leaves are just starting to turn. Gonna be a beauty this year!

[@juliaKramMusic]

Thanks for all of the tips and info!! Chicago will be my first marathon! I can’t wait!

[@CTYeung]

Thank you - look forward to Chicago 2023. Hope to see you !

[@wukidatheart]

Great tips! Never thought of bike rental to expo. Good luck with your race! Thanks!

[@kofuzi]

some people might not want to bike the day before a marathon and think that the el might be an easier option, but depending on how far you have to walk to get to the train from where you are staying, it really could be the less strenuous option.

[@markoljustina]

@@kofuzii would be in center of city (W Adams and S Clark st corner) and want to take Divvy to expo; which avenue/street is best to ride to expo? i try to research it, of course, but nothing is precise

[@bam_3124]

Yes! Best tip is to stay calm! Lol, it’s gonna be tough to stay calm this year with the weather being almost perfect 😬 can’t wait! Good luck to everyone running and thanks to everyone else out there supporting/volunteering 🫡👏🏽

[@gnan86]

Thanks for the tips. I’m running this weekend. I’m excited.

[@FirstLas]

Longtime Chicagoan here. This will be my seventh time running the race, 27 years of living and 20 years biking in the city. Biking in the city is very dangerous, especially since 2020. Walk but be wary of the area or Go to the expo on Thursday! (which is new!) The brown line is the safest train and you can take the King Bus (3) to the expo just a minute away from the Adams and Wabash stop. Boystown (Northside off Broadway) is a blast, dont let it take you off pace! Motivate others right before you enter Chinatown (mentioned already) and right after as those are dead spots till Michigan. Note for tourists/post race ideas; the best Chicago junk food ala hotdogs/burgers/pizza arent in the city they are in the outskirts ala Johnnies Beef, Gene and Judes, Boba Burger, Freddy's Pizza, Vito and Nicks, and Superdawg (barely in ala Norwood Park.) Do not fall for the "downtown classics", they aren't as good as they used to be and are overrated.

[@briankfree]

Thanks for Sharing! This is super helpful. Good Luck on Sunday!

[@yakiweiss546]

One of the most helpful videos by far, well done!!

[@kofuzi]

thank you. please feel free to share if you think it could help anyone else!

[@indorock]

Regarding travelling to and from the expo: as you mentioned, taking the subway does involve a long-ish walk from the station to the hall, but once there I noticed that Nike had organised a shuttle bus back to downtown, which stopped right in front of their flagship store. All you had to do was install the app on your phone to get on board. So I did that, and not only did I get a free ride back to the city, I also got some free food and Nike swag once on the bus! They had MCs on board and did some entertainment and Q&A for the duration of the ride, it was interesting. No, I don't work for Nike haha, but I do recommend this as a great way to get back to town (if they are indeed doing the same thing this year).

[@ianlowe4126]

Kofuzi thanks so much for this video and I’ll definitely be watching it again ( many times ) when I get to Chicago but before then I have to complete my first marathon of the week which is navigating my through all the bureaucracy required to actually get into the USA these days !! 🤦‍♂️ thanks and wish me luck! Ian 🇬🇧

[@kofuzi]

🤞

[@robvertrees]

Thank you - this will be my second Chicago and your tips are great. Really enjoyed the video and hope you have a great race this Sunday as well

[@RunThePlanet]

Really good tips Kofuzi thanks. Not running this year Ofcourse but one year I hope to and this is useful. Looking forward to your next race here

[@Run_Farah_Run]

Always good stuff! See you and the rest of the Kofuzi Run Club on Saturday! Weather looks great 😊

[@drewwhittaker2549]

appreciate the video, Mike! looking forward to my first marathon this Sunday! cheers.

[@kofuzi]

let's get it!

[@junepark1003]

This was excellent. Thank you! I'm running the race this year and can not wait!

[@kofuzi]

Hope to see you at the shakeout!

[@zhitongchang2011]

This is really, really helpful! Thank you very much! Good luck everything on Sunday!

[@dbiscoc287]

Thanks for the tips, Ko! I’m doing race support for my wife today, and we watched your video in prep for race day logistics. Many thanks!

[@Fortunate1990]

Oh the SWEARS i've SWORN going up "Mount Roosevelt" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 NSFW.. but the absolute elation when turning on to Columbus and seeing that finish line is *chefs kiss* GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU RUNNERS!!!!!!

[@rutht6180]

Great video as always and thanks for the tips! First time to run Chicago and super excited for this weekend!

[@kofuzi]

have a great race!

[@teebee3631]

Planning to run for the first time this year, I'm so excited! Thanks for the tips!

[@alyxandrasherwood1176]

I hope to "run" into you at the Chicago Marathon. Thanks for the preview!

[@Sal-ge7mc]

So,so helpful,thank you as always,you have helped me on every marathon major

[@kofuzi]

So happy to hear that!

[@cocopoco2006]

Thank you! Super helpful as I am freaking out about Chicago 2023

[@kofuzi]

Have a great race!

[@febrianihsan1962]

The tips really helps me… This is my first marathon….so excited and nervous as well…what makes me nervous is the weather…I’m from Indonesia, we only have rainy and hot season and high humidity

[@oliverng3240]

Great tips Mike. I wished that I had seen this video before race day LOL! I walked over 20K all over Chicago and to the Expo. My legs were so tired the next day. It was my first Chicago Marathon and enjoyed the course and city very much. Love your channel man. Keep up the great work! 😊👍🏻💯

[@YuennyLam]

Thank you for the useful tips. I'll be running the Chicago Marathon for the very first time this year, coming from the UK. As you've run it many times, can I ask whether you were filming on your GoPro during the race? I've read everywhere that you're not allowed video cameras, but I really want to take my GoPro to film this special day. I'm worried they won't allow me to even have the GoPro on me. I wouldn't want to leave it in my drop bags. TIA!

[@drfunk1216]

Your Chicago marathon videos are epic

[@pouredoutmel]

It's beginning to be Kofuzi season (running through whilst puddles shouting KOFUZI!)

[@richarddow6899]

Thanks so much, great tip about the toilets pre race. And I might even try cycling to the expo.

[@VicciJaffe]

I enjoyed this the night before the race. Thanks!

[@kofuzi]

Have a great day out there!

[@allanjaygarcia]

Can’t wait much Mahalo for the tips braddah Michael. Aloha!

[@RunnersCorner2024]

Good Luck I am hoping to get in next year. It sounds like a great race

[@kofuzi]

it doesn't get much better than this (in my very biased opinion)

[@RunnersCorner2024]

@@kofuzi i’m hoping to PR my marathon and get my BQ. It looks like a fast course

[@scheddar2733]

As always, awesome video! I was surprised by the biking to the expo tip, I hadn't thought of Chicago being all that bicycle friendly, but I suspect like every other major city, great strides have been made to preserve the environment. Looking forward to my third Chicago!

[@christinaclementson]

Can’t wait to go for a PB in Chicago next year!! Thanks for some great tips. 👌👌

[@ardley5278]

Awesome video. Thanks for the tips. Hopefully I can remember them when running.

[@mayadethabrew-hutton4342]

Thanks for the tips! Running the 2024 Chicago marathon - so excited! Is it worth doing the Abbot 5K the day before or is it best to have an easy shakeout run instead?

[@kofuzi]

I've never done the Abbot 5k myself

[@runningwithjane]

Thank you for this!!! Gearing up for Chi '23!

[@kofuzi]

Have fun!!

[@gokiwi2642]

Excellent video Kofuzi, good luck in the marathon next weekend, just wondering what’s your peck Race goals, since you’ve already done the sub 3 hour marathon? Cool 😀🥳🍀🌲🏃🏽‍♂️✅👍🏼

[@bmd6343]

Excellent tips. Another I’d add is on sunny days to wear a cap/visor as well as sunglasses if you’d prefer not to have bright sunshine in your eyes. Especially in the second half and from about mile 15-20. Approx 25-32K there can be little shade. Last mile or two there’s more as head back downtown. Depends obviously on how long you run for. A sub 2:45 runner will naturally have more shade than a 5:45 runner.

[@kofuzi]

Definitely gets sunny there

[@Nehalruns]

was waiting for this.. See you Saturday :)

[@anthonyjpaul]

Nice one, hope to see you Saturday!

[@ThisRunnerLovesPurpleYT]

Great tips thank you! I’m excited to run it this weekend! Flying out on Thursday! Hope to join the run on Saturday too 😊

[@kofuzi]

see you there!

[@rych7852]

@@kofuzi Have you put the details for the "Saturday shake out" online anywhere yet?

[@globerunning1437]

Was waiting from this one. Thanks bud

[@zacsakacsi]

Let's go! I'll be there and can't wait it's my first 👍

[@fluorophoremusic3679]

4x man that’s awesome. Great work man

[@Wizjkahna]

Congrats, Mike!

[@priscila5612]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@maudltorre]

Bro, doing it next week! Thanks for the tips!

[@kofuzi]

Have fun!

[@spencer-edelman]

Thank you so much for this!!

[@Marc-dk8vw]

Very detailed tips. Please do this for other marathons you do as this is very helpful. Thank you so much Kofuzi.

[@littleochoa1]

I'm so ready for Sunday!!!!!

[@osobear26]

Thanks Mike, great tips

[@madhanmadhan3811]

Hello Kofuzi. Loved your tips on the Chicago Marathon. I'm planning to run it this year and will implement a lot of them. One question I had which I couldn't find any answers to is, when you pass through security for the race, do they check your pockets? I mean if you are carrying - gels, nutrition, wallet, keys, etc. - do they need you to empty your pockets out as you are going through security or not necessarily? Also, you recommend using the bike to travel around the downtown? Did you use this exclusively to travel say from your hotel to the expo and also to your shakeout run, etc? How did you travel from the L train to your hotel. Did you uber or walk? Also, I'd love to join up with your followers at the expo and shakeout run if you plan to run Chicago this year (2024). That would be awesome! 👍 Thanks again!

[@kofuzi]

you may get a pat down. in my opinion, well executed security changes depending on the circumstances. it may become more strict depending on risk assessment level. it may be more lenient depending on risk assessment level (or lack of risk). be prepared for security. be patient. budget extra time.

[@mrwhiffle]

Thanks for the tips! In this years guide it says no selfie sticks, camera mounts or video recorders, but I see you and many other people film the race. Can I wear a clip on my cap and put the Insta 360 go in it to record my race?

[@c.h.1073]

You can also take the cta train to the cta bus too. Bus stops right in front. I had no issues driving to the expo in parking lot c

[@MidLifeRunner]

Thanks KOach! Super helpful 🍕🍕

[@delfino19777]

My first Chicago, hopefully my 3rd star. Very excited and nervous

[@nicholasrattray7931]

Hey Kofuzi. Running the Chicago Marathon for the first time. Unfortunately I’m not racing as I have just ran London and finished the in a Sub 3 of 2:54:49. Wondered what is the best way of getting into Chicago from the Airport, I’m flying into O’hare. I’m also running the 5K with my two sons, is there any good point on this that you could share. Also just anything on general transport would also be good. Thanks Nick.

[@lexington476]

2:05 you know one thing that's nice about going to the Expo for the Detroit Marathon and Detroit Turkey Trot, as long as you're willing to pay twenty bucks to park you can park two blocks in front of Cobo Hall.

[@kofuzi]

I've always been quite intimidated by the tunnel. Something about running underground for that long makes me nervous.

[@lexington476]

@@kofuzi I could definitely see that. I've probably done the international half-marathon I would say five or six times at this point. It's always cool racing through the tunnel.

[@Drew.Whitcomb]

You've run Chicago more times than I've run any marathon 😵

[@JoshL84]

The thing I'm going to hate the most about getting in the corral too early is having to use a porto for the second time when it starts to get packed in. Is the Chicago gear worth buying at the expo?

[@claykoellner6106]

Thank you for this video! This will be my first marathon and I'm very excited, but also nervous. I wanted to go big my first time and I'm running for a charity that means a lot to me so it's even better. I am staying in China town and thinking it would be easiest to get down to the park by taking the train the morning of the marathon. Do you think this should work or should I try to take uber?

[@TheAkenno]

*Chicago Resident Here* I would take the train and just leave about 20-30 minutes earlier than you would think. A big stretch of Michigan Ave is closed on race morning so it will be tough for an Uber to get you close not to mention it'll be pricey.

[@guin3666]

Thanks for the tips. I am driving down to the expo from Canada.... You didn't mention how much parking was for you. Hope to see you post race!

[@kofuzi]

I didn't mention as I didn't remember. but the Chicago Marathon website indicates that it will be $12. "Abbott Health & Fitness Expo parking Parking will be available to all Abbott Health & Fitness Expo Attendees at McCormick Place Parking Lot A and McCormick Place Parking Lot C for a reduced rate of $12. If you park in Lot C, you will automatically receive the $12 rate. If you park in Lot A, you must have your parking ticket validated at the Health & Fitness Expo in order to receive the reduced rate."

[@guin3666]

@@kofuzithanks for looking up that info. Always going the extra mile! This weekend is going to be so exciting. Time to get the first of my six stars. Applied for London and Berlin for next year. Are you going to run the six star marathons?

[@Matt_Kraczon]

Haven’t broken that marathon seal yet, just keep having problems that stem from my lower back and really fire up my IT band. Hope to get that resolved so I can take that next step.

[@davidsaxe7077]

Thanks Ko.....i am trying to figure things out before we fly out later this week. I really don't want to pay for Uber to get around. We plan on trying the bikes

[@dalegaliniak607]

Divvy is great, but as a warning, the e-bikes are a fair bit more expensive than the regular bikes. Be careful which you get.

[@ciluguitars]

Good luck! Maybe you will also show us the equipment you will run in. Shoes, socks, watch, etc. Thank you

[@kofuzi]

that will be up on a post in IG

[@JD-ku3xt]

I walked 3 miles from downtown and back . . .should have taken the train there. 😂. As an outsider, I also noticed Chicago uses arrows differently than most of the world.

[@DaddyDidYouWin]

See you at mile five. I will be on one of the announcing tours once again this year at the aid station

[@RoryCarterman]

Great videos man - are you able to share what your L/R feet lengths are? would be really appreciate 👌

[@TusharKhare2910]

This was so helpful!! Quick. Question - plan to go to expo on 6th and plan on driving with the fam … how far is the walk specifically from parking lot A to the main building??

[@s0undnin]

Regarding the CTA, there are buses that drop you off at the entrance.

[@lexington476]

8:00 I've never ever ever done something as foolish as going out way too fast at the start of a race (cough) never 🤔🤫😀.

[@ianlowe4126]

Kofuzi can you buy porridge ( oatmeal) and hot drinks in the start area or do you need to bring food with you ? Thanks Ian

[@John-qv7in]

Watching this after getting my lottery registration confirmation this morning!

[@kofuzi]

See you next year!

[@reng349]

Thanks Kofuzi. Any recommended pre and post marathon meals in Chicago?

[@mikethompson6202]

Good advice. .

[@lexington476]

5:42 for the exact time when white really starts before sunrise, look up Civil Twilight time.

[@ejquezad]

Mike, I trained to run with the 3:05 pacer but they put me in corral D and I couldn't request a corral change because I haven't done a marathon in more than 2 years. Do you think I can find a 3:05 pacer two corrals back? I feel like it's too far back to find one.

[@kofuzi]

I think that might be a bit far back. I'd try to get to the corral early so you can be as close to the front of corral D as possible. but I'm not sure if you will be able to see the 305 group from there

[@jimgoldie4338]

Are there any loos in the corral area itself or are the portaloos only available outside the start corrals? What wave/corral are you in sir? Hope to see you there!

[@alloasis]

thaanks for this video!!

[@kofuzi]

thanks for watching!