Chicago Marathon Sun, Oct 11th 2015.

blockic

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Registration information has just opened for this. Same as last year.

Guaranteed Entry:

Time qualifier
Men who have run a verifiable sub 3:15:00 marathon and women who have run a verifiable sub 3:45:00 marathon on or after January 1, 2013

Otherwise a lottery:

The lottery entry period will be open for six weeks starting in March. The dates and times for the lottery entry period will be available in February.

adrian522

It's certainly on my to-do list, Berlin this year, Chicago, some future year.

Calvin Johnson

Will be entering the lottery. Wish they'd get on with it though. It sounds like it will be mid April before we will know if we are in or not.

tHE vAGGABOND

Brilliant race & a brilliant city, highly recommended

Calvin Johnson

The 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon lottery will open on Tuesday, March 10 at 12 p.m. (US Central Time). Runners can also sign up with a guaranteed entry at this time

The lottery entry period will open on Tuesday, March 10 at 12 p.m. (US Central Time) and will close six weeks later on Tuesday, April 21 at 12 p.m. (US Central Time).

Not quite sure why they are keeping the entry open for six whole weeks. For me, it's frustrating as I'm entered for Limerick on May 3rd where I'd hopefully be comfortably sub 3:15 and able to claim guaranteed entry. It's making me consider running two weeks earlier - even though I feel that's not a great idea.

opus

It's one I'm thinking about for next year maybe.

Ruu

Just a bump for this, will want to get your entry in soon. Have never run a big city marathon, will see if I get a lottery pick.

The lottery entry period will be open for six weeks and will close on Tuesday, April 21 at 12 p.m. (US Central Time).

The fee for runners who qualify for a guaranteed entry or are selected through the lottery for the 2015 race will be $185 (USD) for U.S. residents or $210 (USD) for those residing outside of the U.S.

blockic

So anyone in the lottery for this or sent in for guaranteed entry?

PDCAT

blockic wrote: »

So anyone in the lottery for this or sent in for guaranteed entry?

I'm in the lottery for this.
Also entered the lottery through work here. Company i work for sponsor the marathon major's so there's a lottery within the company for a limited number of places.
My luck's not great at these things, lets hope things change.

adrian522

blockic wrote: »

So anyone in the lottery for this or sent in for guaranteed entry?

No, I would have been tempted though as my brother is in Chicago for the year so it would have been a good opportunity but I entered Berlin last November so that's my marathon for this year.

Next year maybe.

opus

adrian522 wrote: »

Next year maybe.

Thinking the same myself actually.

Ruu

Am in the lottery myself, never did a big city marathon before. Time will tell. Always a few smaller Autumn marathons if I miss out.

Calvin Johnson

I'm in the lottery too.

Feeling nervous, might cry if I don't get in.

Calvin Johnson

I got in!

Anyone else?

Ruu

I got approved (first time entrant), logged in via the athlete center and just for the approval email.

Any tips on hotels?

tHE vAGGABOND

Well done getting in. Its a great race.

Check out AirBnB, last year hotels were really really expensive for whole marathon weekend..

Just make sure that the AirBnB is on a rail line which heads into the loop, trains pretty frequent and quick..

PDCAT

i also got an email saying that i'm in. Looks like, this has been my lucky week.
Now just to convince the missus, and get the funds together.

dodgeyankle

I didn't get in.. didn't even get a rejection email.. and im not even in the athlete centre either.. :-(
my brother lives in Chicago and he got in.. anyone know of a tour operator that would sell entry.. idea of prices etc..
I got a price of E1300 from sports travel international for 4 nights hotel and entry.. seems extremely steep.. and I don't even need accommodation... any info appreciated..

menoscemo

dodgeyankle wrote: »

I didn't get in.. didn't even get a rejection email.. and im not even in the athlete centre either.. :-(
my brother lives in Chicago and he got in.. anyone know of a tour operator that would sell entry.. idea of prices etc..
I got a price of E1300 from sports travel international for 4 nights hotel and entry.. seems extremely steep.. and I don't even need accommodation... any info appreciated..

AFAIK they are the only Irish tour operator to have guaranteed entry to the marathon Majors. When you consider flights are about €600 minimum and entry is another €200 that price is not too bad.
Have you asked them for a price without the accommodation?

dodgeyankle

That price is just 3 nights hotel and entry.. You arrange your own flights..
Sports travel international are based in Dublin..
I gave afiak a quick Google and found nothing.. Do you have a link by any chance?

dodgeyankle

Oh yeah.. And they don't offer just entry.. You must use there hotel also

dodgeyankle

Turns out I'm in
I got no rejection email from the lottery so I emailed them. Gave name address dob email etc.. Told em I heard nothing and that athlete centre wasn't recognising my email.. And they got back to me saying that I was selected and that they had 1 letter missing in my email so that's why I didn't get a mail..
Bottom line.. I'm in. Let the training begin..

Anyone know when coral time qualifiers can be submitted?

Longslowrun

I'm also in and just signed up.
Anyone got any advice on the best day to fly to the states for this and also any advice on how best to deal with the jet lag best?
Will be my second marathon, just finished London as my first.

Calvin Johnson

Start corrals now on the website.

I got put in F but have sent in a time to get into B.

Ruu

Am also in F, must submit a recent half/full myself.

Longslowrun

Also got put in F. I'd like to avoid the second wave though if possible. Is it easy to change?

Ruu

No idea, I got an automated response to the email that I sent (with a recent marathon time). Will keep checking and like yourself, hoping to get anywhere in wave 1.

PDCAT

Hi Guys

How do you find out what Corral your in. I can't find out my on their website.

dodgeyankle

I got corral g.. Want to break 4 hours so am hoping to get a 1:52 or under half marathon qualifying time in Killarney next week to get into corral d/e... Training ain't gone well with the heat, so will have to hope for the best on the day..

dodgeyankle

Go to the main site.. Click participant information, then start corals... Then u will see a link to check.. Took me ages to find it also

PDCAT

dodgeyankle wrote: »

Go to the main site.. Click participant information, then start corals... Then u will see a link to check.. Took me ages to find it also

Thanks Dodgeyankle. I've been on participant info and then start corals.
And i've clicked the link to check, but im' getting a blank page more or less. It just says 2015 Runners status then blank underneath.
Am i missing something here...
I've emails the organisers and am waiting to hear back.

Ruu

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/2015-runner-status/

You should be able to enter your name in the search box and it will show you your assigned corral.

dodgeyankle

So, giving that's it's a mainly flat course.. Should we be training on a flat route or mixing it up?

Ruu

I always add in hills regardless.

I just see that I have been moved to corral C. Lovely jubbly.

PDCAT

Ruu wrote: »

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/2015-runner-status/

You should be able to enter your name in the search box and it will show you your assigned corral.

Thanks Ruu. I managed to find out what the problem was. All the PC's in work, are showing a blank screen when you go into runner status. No Search box is appearing. When i checked the laptop at home, i found my details. Originally i was put into Coral F, sent them on my London Marathon time and now i'm in Coral B. Happy days.

PDCAT

Well, my flights are booked, just trying to find something on Airbnb which is cheaper than the hotel prices.
I booked two tickets for the Chicago Blackhawks game on the Saturday 10th. There Stanley Cup winners three times over the past 5 years. Their playing the New York Islanders, the evening before the marathon. The last live Ice Hockey game i attended was pretty good. The game takes place in the United Centre, fairly easy to get to from what i can remember. Was at an Aerosmith concert there a few years ago, and i don't remember much bother getting there.

I checked other sports on that weekend. The baseball season will be just over so the Cubs & White Sox will be finished. The basketball season doesn't start until the end of October so the Bulls won't be playing. The Bears have an NFL match the day of the marathon away from home, so the hockey seems to be only game in town.

For MTV fans, Ricky Martin, Tove Lo & Ariana Grande are playing in separate concerts that weekend, but my recommendation would be the blues clubs (Buddy Guys Legends, Blue Chicago & Kingston Mines). Have been to these in a few years but last time i was in Chicago, some good music was being played inthese clubs.

Also Second City Comedy club is good for a night out.

Anyway, if anyone has any other idea's of what's on in Chicago that weekend, post it up.

ClashCityRocker

PDCAT wrote: »

Well, my flights are booked, just trying to find something on Airbnb which is cheaper than the hotel prices.
I booked two tickets for the Chicago Blackhawks game on the Saturday 10th. There Stanley Cup winners three times over the past 5 years. Their playing the New York Islanders, the evening before the marathon.

I did the exact same thing last year, went to see the Blackhawks play the Buffalo Sabres the night before the race. It was handy enough to get to, they have a special shuttle bus from the centre of town which we got out there and then got a taxi back to the hotel after which wasn't too expensive (had to leave a little before the end of the game as i needed to go to bed!). It was good fun though, very enjoyable.

belcarra

Myself, Yaboya and DukeofDromada all went along to a pre-season NBA game in the UC in 2013.
I think it may have been a couple of nights after the marathon but check that schedule anyways if in town for a few days.

+1,000 for Buddy Guy's!

We stayed in the Hostelling International hostel. Simple but great value and even better location.
It may be sold out at this stage though...

dodgeyankle

Got into coral d... Means I get off a bit earlier.. A few extra miles put in, in cooler weather also... Every advantage counts...

dodgeyankle

Was looking into the whole hydration thing.. Giving that we will be drinking from cups etc.. I've had bad experiences with cups on smaller runs here..
I seen a thing on runners world that they say to put a straw under your garmin and take it out when u drink..
They call it the geetah straw...
Has anyone tried this method?
Not looking forward to the cups

Ruu

Got my packet pickup ticket. Bib 1572, nice low number. Ran 1:44 in a half yesterday fairly handily so should do okay here but you never know. Feeling good.

dodgeyankle

Are they emailed out or what?

Ruu

Got mine in the post (currently US based) came with a guide.

dodgeyankle

Ah right.. Was wondering.. I'll prob get my bib number by email id imagine..
Enjoy the taper

Ruu

Just got my email. Let the taper madness begin. 👍

PDCAT

Well folks.
The time is nearly upon us.
Flying out on Friday, booked my accomdation through AirBNB.
Plan to get the Expo out of the way on Friday afternoon.

Have booked an Ice Hockey game on Saturday night. Will probably attend either the second city comedy club or some of the blues clubs on Friday/Sunday night. Flying home on Monday.

I'm in Corral B, so 7.30am start:eek:.
That means i may have to cut the ice hockey short to get to bed early.

Hope everyone's training went well. What are people's target times for this one?

Ruu

Just an end of year race (my goal this year was finish an 100 mile and anything else was a bonus) for me so would/should sneak in under 3:50 and be happy enough. I posted 1:44 in a half 2 weeks ago. I am in Corral C, weather looks nice and should be done and dusted before it gets any way uncomfortable. Good luck everyone.

PDCAT

Ruu wrote: »

Just an end of year race (my goal this year was finish an 100 mile and anything else was a bonus) for me so would/should sneak in under 3:50 and be happy enough. I posted 1:44 in a half 2 weeks ago. I am in Corral C, weather looks nice and should be done and dusted before it gets any way uncomfortable. Good luck everyone.

Wow, 100 mile, fair play on achieving that.
Best of luck on Sunday, hope the weather conditions are in our favour.

Ruu

Should be a nice cool start, am currently situated in central Illinois so heading up on Saturday morning on the train, splashed out on a hotel (Congress Plaza) so can hobble from finish line, not too far.

PDCAT

I booked a place through Airbnb, not sure where i am. Will have a couple of days to find my feet before Sunday. Luckily we are in the 7.30am start, might have slightly cooler conditions than the second wave.

ClashCityRocker

The Cubs going well in the baseball too, they'll be playing in the National League Division Series (think of it as the quarter final if the World Series is the final) over the weekend while you're all there - should bring an added buzz to the city!

Running this last year was probably the most enjoyable running experience i've had, fantastic set up, great course/support and most importantly Goose Island beer to enjoy in the park afterwards :cool: the very best of luck to you all and hope you have a great race, but more importantly, have fun!