Of the world marathon majors, the Chicago Marathon is one of my favorite. It’s pancake flat, the weather is almost always perfect, the crowds are incredible, it doesn’t feel as overwhelming as the New York City Marathon or London Marathon, and most importantly, it’s INCREDIBLY easy to get to and from the starting line. Getting ready to run the Chicago Marathon? Not sure where to stay? Here is your guide to where to stay during the Chicago Marathon!

CHICAGO Marathon 2024 Information

Date: Sunday, October 13, 2024

Time: Wave 1 starts at 7:30 am

Start: Grant Park at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Street

Finish: Columbus Drive, south of Balboa Drive in Grant Park

How To Get To The Starting Line: Rideshare, walk, or public transportation to Grant Park. Here is the best part about the Chicago Marathon — Getting to the starting line IS SO EASY. You walk right in. No ferry or bus like in Boston or NYC. No long train ride like in London. You walk right into your wave section in Grant Park, flash your bib, go through a metal detector and you’re in. It’s wonderful. This hotel guide lists hotels close enough to walk which is my advice. Stay close to the start/finish area in Grant Park :). (Get to the starting area 60-90 minutes before your corral closes. The bathroom lines are always REALLY, REALLY long.)

TIP: Book your hotels well in advance to get the best deals. Chicago is NOTORIOUS for jacking up all the hotel prices during Chicago Marathon weekend.

where to stay for the Chicago Marathon

The nice thing about the Chicago Marathon is that, unlike the NYC Marathon, the start and finish areas are right next to each other in Grant Park. Even better - there are a ton of options a mile or less from the start line! Getting through security takes about 10-20 minutes which makes getting to your starting corrals a BREEZE.

Here’s a list of Chicago Marathon Hotels from closest to the start line to furthest!

Chicago Marathon Hotels

*In 2022 the Badass Lady Gang will be staying at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. If you’re looking to hang with the Gang all weekend long, book here!

$$$ Renaissance Blackstone Chicago - .1 miles from the start

$$ Chicago Athletic Association, part of Hyatt - .1 miles from the start

$$ Hilton Chicago - official headquarters for the marathon - .1 miles from the start

$$ The Blackstone, Autograph Collection - .3 miles from the start

$$ Palmer House Hilton - .3 miles from the start line

$ Best Western Grant Park - .4 miles from the start

$$$ The Kimpton Gray Hotel - .6 miles from the start

$ Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District - 1.1 miles from the start

$ HI Chicago Hostel - .6 miles from the start

$$ JW Marriott Chicago - .7 miles from the start

$$ W Chicago City Center - .8 miles from the start (pet friendly)

$ La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown - 1.2 miles from the start

$$$ Fairmont Chicago at Millenium Park - 1 mile from the start

$$ Pendry Chicago - 1.1 miles from the start

$$$ Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago, an IHG Hotel - 1.1 miles from the start

$$ Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown / River North - 1.1 miles from the start

$ Hotel Lincoln - 3 miles from the start

The best part about Chicago is your proximity to the starting and finish lines. As long as you’re within a 2-mile radius, you can’t go wrong! No public transportation required.

To everyone racing Chicago, have a beautiful race and an even more incredible trip to Chicago! Get yourself some deep dish and enjoy!