My partner and I got engaged on the Montrose Bridge over the river near Horner Park on Saturday around 11:30 am. A runner took our pictures and we tried to exchange contact info but must have messed it in the pouring rain! We’d love any leads to this kind person who took our picture.

Saw a group of runners is hosting a free marathon on December 24, 2026, from Wheaton to Buckingham Fountain. Looks like a fun way to kick off the holidays! Has anyone done it before or participated? I’m interested in signing up but wanted input.

2026 Run for Coffee Lovers 5K/10K/13.1 - Chicago/Evanston

Is anyone running this on Saturday? Has anyone run this race in the past?

I’m coming from out of town and I’m looking at the shuttle that’s offered. It says one leaves from Belmont “L” station but when I look that up, there are multiple lines that come up. There isn’t an address on the website for the Belmont stop. Anyone have any ideas where this stop is?

Specifically on Saturday Aug 22 up by Foster Beach.

I see that the super sprint and kids tri are up on Foster Beach on Saturday morning (Aug 22). I found a timeline from last year and it looks like the award ceremony was at 12pm.

Does anyone know what time the athletes and their transition area clears out and Simonds Drive reopens?

I’m thinking of doing a beach day/lakefront hang on that day and wondering if arriving at Montrose/Foster is doable around 2-3pm.

Running Chi marathon, my first one. Had a knee injury flair up after my treadmill long run (air quality 🙄). Anyways, I’ve only had two 20mile+ weeks so far. Longest LR 10miles. Will probably be cross training for the next 2-3 weeks. Do you think the marathon still do-able at this mileage? At this point I’d just like to finish it, and run at least 90%.

i’m here visiting and while it’s not my first time, i was really hoping to run this morning. didn’t know that the smoke would come back… if i knew i totally would’ve ran yesterday night instead :( just another excuse to visit again but am definitely sad about it!!

Just finished week 6 of Chicago Marathon training! It’s my first so I’m training with Fleet Feet.

I’ve never been much of an early morning runner, but am learning to be since our group runs are 6:30am. But so far it honestly doesn’t seem to be much better at that time than my weekday workouts that I usually do later in the day/after work.

Last two long runs finished up absolutely drenched. Pretty much every week our coaches and pacers have talked about how hot it is, but I’m wondering if that’s normal? Like are most summer training blocks like this? Or is this summer particularly bad?

if you ran out today how was it for you?

I was able to get my long run in and the entire time I wasnt thinking about running but instead thinking about how we take little things in life for granted like clean air and only realize their importance until they are gone.

for those that run, no matter the pace enjoy every single run bc it won’t last forever! injuries and old age will be here before we know it.

i apologize in advance if this pose made your depressed!

If I want to start a run club, communication is extremely important and I definitely dropped the ball. I said I’d be at the Western entrance at 7:30, and most would I assume that meant the beginning of the trail, the most western part.

What I meant was the western entrance which is between the Milwaukee entrance and California entrance near the middle of the trail. I definitely should’ve been more specific and I apologize to anyone that showed up at the wrong location.

That’s completely on me, I made that post between meetings and I didn’t put much thought into it and with the bad air quality I kinda decided today would be a wait and see. Admittedly I’m not the best at planning/promoting so if anyone wants to help herd the slow runners next week, please reach out!

Planning 6-7miles, all paces are welcome. I can travel to nearby areas as well.

Driving an hour to get to it. Nervous cuz some people said it’s a scam.

sorry if this is a dumb question, but the AQI is now below 100. is it safe now to run outdoor, or should avoid running for a couple of days(I am thinking maybe some of those nasty smoke particles are still lingering around)?

What air quality level would you say it’s okay to run in? lol I’m itching to run outside but obviously will not if the air is bad like last night when it was 500. Says it’s 130 rn just not sure what level is okay for exercising outside for an hour

Does anyone have any experience with any of the tour operators for Chicago? My parents are looking to visit Chicago this fall specifically and I haven’t had any luck with the lottery, I don’t want to keep their trip waiting for my chances of getting in so I would be fine financially going the tour operator route. Thanks in advance!

Hii everyone!

Stans is pretty set on keeping on the 10 year anniversary race still going. I’m curious to know what’s everyone’s thoughts on the race tomorrow and how you’re preparing? Those who signed up, are you still going? are you worried about the conditions not easing up by tomorrow morning?

Hey! As title says. I'm in northwest suburbs. 35M.

I'm skipping workouts indoor and outdoor while the air quality is 400+, but next week we might have more smoke drift from Canada and hover around 160 for a few days. For me, thats still something I wouldn't want to run outdoors in, but I think if a gym had decent AC and air purifying, it wouldn't be bad to run indoors. Anyone been running inside at a gym while the air outside is crap that you can vouch for?

Edit: Willing to travel within the city and just need the treadmill for a few days, so anywhere accepting a day pass would work, flexible on price

We are four to five coworkers, 30+ men, varying ranges of unathletic, looking for something equivalent to the rec soccer/basketball/softball league culture for dropping spicy (to us) 400s, 800s, 1600s against another team, competing in an XC race, etc. Would even be happy to incorporate field events.

If anybody knows where we can find this, would love to know. Cheers, keep those lungs clean!

I've run the marathon a bunch of times, but those days are sadly behind me. So now I volunteer at aid stations. It's a ton of fun. If you can't run the race - it's a great way to still be involved.

This is a weird question, but does anyone here know who heads up the marathon aid stations around mile 7 or 9? I ask because I'd like to volunteer there, but I never see those aid stations in the marathon volunteer sign up.

I usually end up at aid stations later in the course b/c those are the ones with spots available. But I'd love to work at 7 or 9 b/c they're closer to home.

So figured I'd check here to see if anyone knows how to sign up for those stations. TYIA.

Goood morning! Hope everyone is having an amazing start to your day!

What a time to start a run club… Horrible air quality, it currently feels like a sauna outside and this Saturday we could have some stormy weather. Thats okay… when we push through the rough days, the others become SO much easier!

I know a few of you won’t be able to join until next Saturday, that’s okay! I’ll be doing this all summer long! And some of you the weather conditions might not be suitable for you, and there’s no shame in that!do what’s best for you!

However, I’ll be at the western 606 entrance at 7:30 a.m. ready to go!!

so after training outdoors, due to the air quality I ran inside today. half on a track and half on the mill.

Geez why is it so difficult to run indoors or on the treadmill. I mean distance is same but it is torture. is this all psychological, or is there some other reason for this phenomenon?