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Chicago Half Marathon
At a glance
- Next race
- Date not out yet
- Last run Sun 27 Sept
- Distance
- 21.1 km13.1 mi
- Half marathon · 5K
The course
The 2026 half marathon started in Jackson Park, ran north on Lake Shore Drive with views of Lake Michigan and the skyline, turned, and came back past Kenwood and Hyde Park to finish at the Statue of the Republic.
- Jackson Park north along Lake Shore Drive and backNorth on Lake Shore Drive, back past the Museum of Science and Industry.
- A 16-minute mile behind the last starter16-minute mile pace; the minimum age for the half was 14.
Course notes 2 short reads on the course
Whole courseLandmarkJackson Park north along Lake Shore Drive and backNorth on Lake Shore Drive, back past the Museum of Science and Industry.
The organiser describes a start in Jackson Park, site of the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, and a turnaround before the return along south Lake Shore Drive. Near the 13.1 mark runners can spot the Museum of Science and Industry campus, and the finish is at the golden Statue of the Republic.
Sourced
Whole courseTacticsA 16-minute mile behind the last starter16-minute mile pace; the minimum age for the half was 14.
The 2026 race ran on Sunday 27 September, with the half marathon start at 7:15 AM on East Hayes Drive. Lake Shore Drive closed between 31st and 67th Streets from 6:00 AM, and the course and finish line closed at 11:45 AM. The half marathon sold out, with a minimum age of 14 on race day.
Sourced
Entry
Race fuel
Energy gel
2 gels for Chicago, plus 1 spare
Finish
One every 40 minutes, by the clock:
Under about 75 minutes most runners need no gel: water at the aid stations does it.
- km 7.3mile 4.6
- km 14.7mile 9.1
For your long training runs:
Our pick: SiS BETA Fuel gel, box of 6, strawberry and lime. 40 g of carbohydrate a gel, about twice a usual gel, from two kinds of sugar your body takes up side by side. Enough for race day and two test long runs.
Easy to forget on race morning: pack them with your bib the night before.
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In Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Salted Caramel, 24-pack, the best seller there.
Outside the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Italy, the rest of the EU and Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Chocolate Outrage, 24-pack on Amazon.com, the best seller there.
Anti-chafe
Compeed anti-blister stick, 8 ml
An invisible layer before the start keeps seams, straps and shoes from rubbing skin raw.
Put it on before you leave for the start: heels and toes, inner thighs, under a bra or heart-rate strap.
Try it on a long run first, like everything you use on race day.
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We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Number belt
Compressport Race Belt
Holds your bib without safety pins through your top, with loops for up to 8 gels.
Clip the bib on the night before, so it goes on with your shorts in the morning.
Keep the number on the front, where officials and photographers can see it.
Get it on Amazon
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Electrolytes
SiS Hydro electrolyte tablets, tube of 20
One tablet in a bottle puts back some of the salt you sweat out.
One tablet in 500 ml of water in the hour before the start.
Only if you have used them in training: nothing new on race day.
Get it on Amazon
We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Blister plasters
Compeed blister plasters, medium, 6
One in a pocket cushions a blister if one starts.
Put it on clean, dry skin and leave it until it comes off by itself.
Give a couple to whoever comes to cheer, so they are there at the km you need them.
Get it on Amazon
We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Keep exploring
More races to look at after the Chicago Half Marathon.
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