The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the fastest, most iconic races in the world, and today, we’re diving deep into everything you need to know! Whether you’re racing this year, working on your six-star journey, or just love a good marathon breakdown, this episode is packed with insights, logistics, and fun Chicago history.

Joining Coach Christine is Ashley Lucas of Mystical Dream Travel, an expert in runcation planning and travel logistics, to help navigate the best places to stay, eat, and explore before and after the race.

But this episode is extra special—because Chicago was Coach Christine’s very first marathon! So expect some fun storytelling, a bit of nostalgia, and plenty of tips to make your Chicago experience extraordinary.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ A Mile-by-Mile Breakdown of the course—including where you’ll find the fastest and trickiest sections
✔️ How to prepare for the flat but potentially deceptive course (pacing tips matter!)
✔️ Tips for running in windy conditions and dealing with Chicago’s unpredictable weather
✔️ Best spectator spots & how to navigate the city on race day using public transit
✔️ How to get into the race if you want to run Chicago in the future
✔️ Legendary moments, fun facts, and pop culture references tied to the Chicago Marathon

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