Between the street closures and city traffic surrounding the Chicago Marathon this Sunday, the Chicago Transit Authority and Metra might be better alternatives to getting around during the event, which begins at 7:30 a.m.
“The CTA is ready to accommodate the expected crowds with additional service along key routes and extra personnel staffing major bus and rail stops, including at O’Hare and Midway airports, to assist customers with purchasing fares and providing travel information,” the agency said in a statement.
On Sunday, Metra will run special inbound and outbound trains, operating in addition to regularly scheduled Sunday train service. A list of Metra's extended race day service is available on the Metra Rail website.
The CTA is also urging customers to purchase fares in advance to decrease travel times and avoid long lines at platforms and vending machines.
Commuters can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra fare cards via the free Ventra app, at rail stations, online or at nearly 1,300 local retailers, the CTA says.
“Additional CTA personnel will be on duty at the O’Hare Blue Line Terminal and the Midway Orange Line Terminal at fare sales tables and will assist marathon participants and spectators arriving Thursday through Saturday,” the agency said. “On Sunday, additional staff will be available at several major rail stations and bus stops across the system to help customers with travel information and fares.”
Extra rail service will be available on the following lines on Sunday:
Local
Red Line: Longer trains will be running earlier and with more frequent service, from 5 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Blue Line: Longer trains will be running from 5 a.m. until 4 p.m., with more frequent service from 9:35 a.m. until 11:20 a.m.
Brown Line: Longer trains will be running from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. with more frequent service
Green Line: Longer trains will be running from 5:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Orange Line: Longer trains will be running from 5:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Purple Line: Will provide earlier service, with the first train departing Linden at 5:30 a.m.
Bus service on Sunday will also have additional service on the #3 King Drive from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The following routes will be impacted by intermittent reroutes along the course:
#3 King Drive
#4 Cottage Grove
#6 Jackson Park Express
#8 Halsted
#9 Ashland
#10 Museum of Science & Industry
#12 Roosevelt
#J14 Jeffery Jump
#18 16th/18th
#20 Madison
#21 Cermak
#22 Clark
#29 State
#35 31st/35th
#36 Broadway
#44 Wallace/Racine
#50 Damen
#56 Milwaukee
#60 Blue Island/26th
#62 Archer
#65 Grand
#66 Chicago
#70 Division
#72 North
#73 Armitage
#74 Fullerton
#76 Diversey
#77 Belmont
#124 Navy Pier
#126 Jackson
#146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express
#147 Outer Drive Express
#151 Sheridan
#152 Addison
There are also viewing areas near CTA rail stations at 10 points along the marathon’s route where spectators can follow the progress of the race:
First Viewing Area – Grand (Red Line) Station – Miles #1, #3 and #12. Board a Red Line train and exit at Grand Avenue.
Second Viewing Area – Monroe (Red Line) Station –Mile #2. Board a Red Line train and exit at Monroe Street.
Third Viewing Area – Chicago (Red Line) Station – Miles #3.5 and #11.5. Board a Red Line train and exit at Chicago. Walk three blocks west to LaSalle Street (Mile 3.5) and four blocks west to Wells Street (Mile 11.5).
Fourth Viewing Area – Clark/Division (Red Line) Station – Miles #4 and #11. Board a Red Line train and exit at LaSalle Street (Mile 4). Walk four blocks east to Wells Street (Mile 11)
Fifth Viewing Area - Addison (Red Line) Station – Mile #7.75. Board a Red Line train and exit at Addison. Walk four blocks east to Broadway.
Sixth Viewing Area – Sedgwick (Brown Line) Station – Mile #10.25. Board a Brown Line train and exit at Sedgwick Street. Walk a half-block north to North Avenue.
Seventh Viewing Area – UIC-Halsted (Blue Line) Station – Miles #13.5 and #16.5. Board a Blue Line train and exit at UIC-Halsted. Use the Halsted Street exit or Morgan Street exit. Walk two blocks north to Adams Street (Mile #13.5) in Greektown or use the Halsted Street exit to view runners at Mile #16.5
Eighth Viewing Area – 18th (Pink Line) Station – Mile #19. Board a Pink Line train and exit at 18th Street. Walk one block east to Ashland.
Ninth Viewing Area – Halsted (Orange Line) Station – Mile #20.5. Board an Orange Line train and exit at Halsted.
Tenth Viewing Area – Sox-35th and 35th-Bronzeville-IIT (Red/Green Line) Stations – Mile #23. Board a Green Line train and exit at 35th-Bronzeville-IIT using either the 33rd Street or 35th Street exit. Board a Red Line train and exit at Sox-35th. Walk two blocks east on 35th Street to State Street.
Eleventh Viewing Area - Cermak-McCormick Place (Green Line) Station – Mile #25. Board a Green Line train and exit at Cermak-McCormick Place. Walk two blocks east to Michigan Avenue.
Twelfth Viewing Area – Roosevelt (Red/Green/Orange Lines) Station – Finish Line. Board a Red, Green or Orange line train and exit at Roosevelt. Walk east on Roosevelt Road toward the Museum Campus/Grant Park.
Participants and spectators can also avoid traffic congestion by using CTA Park & Ride facilities. Parking is available at CTA’s 17 Park & Ride facilities across the rail system.
Park & Ride stations are listed on the CTA’s website at transitchicago.com/parking/.
