Chicago Marathon

The flattest start in major marathoning. Don't mistake the ease for fitness. Run your plan.

You start and finish in Grant Park, heading north through downtown on Columbus Drive and LaSalle Street. The buildings channel crowd noise and create a fast-feeling atmosphere. It's a 40,000-runner field, so expect first-mile congestion.

These miles should feel comfortable. If they don't, your goal time may be too aggressive.

The course turns south through Pilsen and Chinatown. Crowds thin slightly in the residential stretches but the aid stations are well-placed. This is your reality check: halfway in, and you should feel like you're cruising.

The quietest stretch. Stay mentally engaged and stick to your pace band.

Through Little Italy and the West Loop, these are the loneliest miles on the course. Some runners call them the forgotten miles. The scenery changes but the terrain doesn't. Focus on hydration, form, and staying on pace.

Back downtown with growing crowds. On a flat course, the finish is all about managing fatigue.

You head east back toward the lakefront and Michigan Avenue. The crowds build as you return to downtown. The final two miles along Michigan Ave and into Grant Park are a straight shot to the finish. On a flat course, this is where discipline pays off.