Is anyone coming to our lovely city for the marathon this weekend? Running?

I think it's on Mrs Kal's "to do list" for next year. We will def let everyone know. Party at Hugo's!!!!

You running in it?
We were shooting for Da' Bears/49ers game on Halloween but "family" comes first.

Not this year, but DS will most likely run it next year (he's running the NYC marathon in four weeks!). So we probably will go to Chicago to cheer him on Have a great time! We just loooove Chicago

Well, it sounds like a "sweet home" Chicago GTG in 2005... since I can't make the Yountville GTG on my B-day, it'll be fun to look forward to! ><

No, I'm not a runner, but have a few close to my .

Nothin' like hangin' out on the city streets cheering on the runners. Love it... and it always seems like we end up w/ an indian summer day for the race... that's even better.

Help. We're coming into Chicago from Ohio starting on Sunday. We have tickets to see Blue Man Group on Sunday at 4:00. Staying in Oak Brook with friends and were going to drive into the city early to grab something to eat. We looked at the Marathon course and it looks confusing - lots of streets closed. Advice for driving in and somewhere to eat near the theatre?

How crazy is it going to be?

The actual day of the Marathon will be very crazy.

My wife did Chicago( 3 years ago) and the crowds were amazing. Public transportaion was most definetly affected.

By the next day, everything seemed fine.

I lived on the route one year (and woke up to throngs of people cheering outside my window), it definately throws things out of wack. Allow a bit of extra time to get where you need to go. Take lake shore drive and be advised that the route does go past Belmont (your exit for blue man group).

Would it be better to take the Metra into Union Station and then either cab it or take the bus to the show? Let the experts do the driving? It's about 5 miles - how much for taxi?

On my biggest life regrets is not doing the Chicago Marathon on my birthday a few years ago. I happened to be in your lovely city for a convention, and would only miss a couple of meetings. I was in shape to do it, but everyone in my office was yelling at me about how cold Chicago is and how I'd freeze & get sick. Turns out, you had a very warm autumn that year. waaaaah!

Alexjas,
Here's a map of the route:
http://www.chicagomarathon.com/img/p...oursemapbw.pdf

The race starts early, and the Belmont/Clark area is in the first half, so things should have cleared up by Sunday afternoon. However, traffic in this area is pretty slow on most weekends.

Tell us what kind of food you're looking for, and we might be able to help. Are you hoping to eat before the show? Two p.m. on a Sunday could be a bit of a problem.

Makai1,
Ain't nuthin' better than watching a loved one cross the finish line!!!
#39;-X

I was in San Diego at the Rock n' Roll Marathon last year and saw some gal nearing the finish line when her hubby jumped the fence and ran alongside of her then held out a sign that said "I'm with stupendous" with an arrow pointing towards her so that the auto cams that take finish line photos can see it.

We were thinking about eating before the show - yes - around 2:00. We're open to suggestions - family of 4. Previous posts raved about pizza, My Pie, Giogrdano - within a mile or so of Theatre. Maybe we should make plans to eat somewhere 'outside' the route?

Also, should we consider driving or metra/taxi?

Thanks for your help.

thanks for your advice. One question: when getting to union station -- where do you pick up the red, brown, purple line? I think someone said you need to walk a few blocks?

We're new at this - it's probably a silly question.

I have watched sister Melissa finish marathons in Honolulu, Paris, and Vienna. Missed her in Prague (boo). What a blast it must be to see a city this way! Not interested in watching her in Tromso, but hey -- different strokes for different folks!

Melissa: if you run Chicago, I'll think about keeping you company (travelling, not running!).

It's a beautiful thing! ><

You got it....marathon shopping with Burta before & after the event! Plus wine/champagne tasting at Marshall Field's.