Chicago Marathon Part II: The logistical stuff

Master of Prissface

Ginchy, who's a local and hopefully will be joining us for the festivities, brought up a very good point.....this race books way early since it's so huge so we really need to pick a hotel or hotels and book rooms now if we're even tentatively thinking of going so we don't end up shut out.

Here's the list of hotels from the website, as you can see, they aren't cheap. Chicago is wonderful but pricey......anyone who's already booked in, where are you staying?

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/html/preferred_hotels.html

If we're going to do the traditional get together for pasta dinner the night before the race, we should probably book a reservation somewhere for that too, for the same reason. Locals, any suggestions for good eateries? Some of us will have kids with us, so preferably kid-friendly ones!

Master of Prissface

I just called the Essex Inn and so far they still have rooms available. They're right across the street from Grant Park on Michigan Avenue, very close to the start/finish. Make sure if you book there to ask for the marathon rate, which appears to be one of the cheapest that close to town.

Here's the website link: http://www.essexinn.com

Anyone local know anything about this hotel? We have until Sept. 24 at 3PM to cancel so it might be useful to book now if you're even thinking about going!

They also have an airport shuttle available from O'Hare and Midway for those of you who might be flying in: Airport Express 888-247-8261

I'm still toying between fly and drive but I am booked at the Essex arriving Friday, departing Monday. Anyone else?

Member

FYI... The Hilton Garden Inn has the same rate. I've stayed there a number of times. I usually run along the lake crossing Lakeshore to go through Grant Park (the race start, I think) when I'm there. The hotel seems less than a mile away from the start (maybe .5-.75 mi).

Member

We stayed at the Essex last year. The rooms were non descript and the food was yuk. However, it was very close to the start/finish and next door to the host hotel. We were able to use a shutttle to get to and from the expo. It has a very nice indoor pool which is great if you have kids.
This year we are staying close to the Magnificent Mile so my MIL can shop. Mr. Green

Gone Fishin

How bad is mass transit into the city on that day?
Where's G-dawg.. he's the train guru, no?

Hipster Doofus

Traffic in the downtown area (where the race begins and ends) can be a real problem on the weekends. The city will often declare travel advisories (making it sound like downtown honkin' Baghdad) when there are several activities in the area. The size of the CM - runners, spectators, support, etc., certainly warrants that. But all this really does is tell people "if you drive downtown, you're going to have big troubles finding a place to park, let alone get around."

The city does run its bus/rail lines (the CTA) on weekends, and may well add trains and buses to encourage people to not drive in from the 'burbs and further regions of the city. Likewise, stay at the retriever's house (HEY - YOU - I SAID YOU'RE SLEEPING IN THE CRAWL SPACE. NOW GET BACK DOWN THERE!!) and there are nice suburban commuter trains (Metra) that do run on the weekends, but not as frequently as during the work week. Then again, they too could add some trains.

Parking in garages downtown is OK and pretty safe for the weekend and the daytime. And not as expensive as during the work-week. Parking on the street - you got to be careful you are not in a no-parking zone. Other than that, you don't have to feed the meters.

Advice, such as it is -
- Hotel or motel in the area (i.e., the race venue) - pool together for a room.
- If you know someone in the area, see if you can stay there. Sometimes we let you stay for nothin' Razz

.
- If you are not d/t, get an early train or bus, or drive in early. Again with the latter, car-pooling s/b considered.

Anyone wanting more info, PM. I can track down links to some of these transit sites. Or, I'll post them within a week (someone remind to do that!).

Wink

Master of Prissface

Hipster Doofus

Master of Prissface

Muchas gracias, amigo!

Folks, stay tuned as the answers to today's burning questions appear:

1) can a marriage between two very powerful but star-crossed Riff Raff families (the Posse and the Mafia) really survive their cultural differences and create an entirely new Riff Raff dynasty which will withstand the test of time zones? Cool

2) will G-dawg be able to handle the pressure of training for his first marathon AND serving as logistical coordinator for this ever-so-important meeting of Riff Raff minds? Mr. Green

3) what the heck are brats REALLY made of, anyway? Shocked

PS---in my world, "B" is always the preferable answer Wink

Hipster Doofus

OK. Travel info -

Commuter trains: www.metrarail.com . Schedules for the various train lines (and there are quite a few) are at www.metrarail.com/schedule.html . Area maps of the downtown terminals and nearby attractions are at www.metrarail.Travel.travel/html (please note the 't' in the first 'travel' is capitalized).

Bus and 'el' trains: www.transitchicago.com . Maps of the system overall are at www.transitchicago.com/maps/systemmaps.html . Maps and schedules for specific "el" and bus lines are www.transitchicago.com/maps/rail/rail.html (for busses, replace the 'rail' in the above with 'bus'.

Both sites have plenty of links (including smoky - buh-dump), but the Metra site's are easier to deal with.

Hipster Doofus

Member

Chiming in a bit late here, but we reserved rooms at a La Quinta close to O'Hare for very cheap ($42 a night with Art's gov't discount) We'll be using the mass transit to the race. Others from our team going are staying in Downers Grove and got rooms in the $50 range.

I'm still hoping my parents come from Ohio and Dad volunteers to drive me in that morning. If not, a very early train/bus ride for me.

Member

The family and I are working out the details to be in Chicago that weekend, I wont be running Chicago (Detroit marathon is Oct 24) but my bro-in-law live just Northwest of Chi-town and Genie has twisted my arm so to say, but I am looking forward to coming along, plus it'll get me geeked as I prepare for Detroit!!!

Master of Prissface

Member

Chicago Marathon Part II: The logistical stuff

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