The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the six Abbotts World Marathon Majors and attracts a large number of elite athletes and runners from around the world - c40,000 runners took part in this year’s event. As with most big city marathons there are a number of ways to secure a place and if you’ve actually managed to run Chicago five times in the last 10 years then you’re entitled to a legacy place. My first tip if you’re planning on running in Chicago is to also apply for the Chicago International 5K which was introduced this year (2016). It’s a good post-marathon warm-up that starts in Daley Plaza outside City Hall, which used to be the start line for the marathon before it grew too large and takes in the edge of Lake Michigan and finishes in Grant Park. Much to my amusement, my nationality was converted from the UK to the Ukraine on my race number – which did lead to one Russian runner trying to start as conversation with me at the start line. Post 5K I headed to a great restaurant called Yolk on South Michigan Avenue a few minutes from the finish line and just outside the Park.

Once you’ve got your place sorted out then my advice on hotels is to try and find somewhere close to Grant Park which will give you a short walk to the start and finish line in the area referred too as the South Loop. I can recommend the Congress Plaza and the Hilton and deals can be had from various hotel booking sites. Arriving at O’Hare airport there are a few options to head into downtown Chicago, I actually bought a $20 3-day Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) pass which was ideal. Take the Blue line from the airport (it runs from Terminal 3 and there’s a connecting monorail service that’s very efficient and connects all of the terminals) to Jackson. Dependent upon where you are staying, you can connect to other lines from Jackson – or walk if you’re close enough. As I stayed in the city for four days I had to buy a single ticket for my return to the airport, which cost $3. The journey time to and from the airport from downtown is c50 mins and judging by the amount of traffic on the freeway it was a quick as taking a cab or shuttle bus.

The Expo takes place at the McCormick Place Convention Center and is open on Friday and Saturday. There are free shuttle buses to and from the venue that run every 20-30 mins from two downtown locations. I took the one from the Hilton on South Michigan Avenue on the Friday afternoon and the traffic was pretty bad but the journey on the volunteers school bus was fun. I spoke to a couple I met who rented bikes, Chicago has a rental scheme like most big cities and the Expo is a 2.5 mile ride away if you wanted a little cross training. While you’re at the Expo it’s worth trying a Goose Island wheat beer, something that you’ll be getting at mile 27 post-marathon party.

The weather on race day was absolutely perfect for marathon running, a cool start warming gently as the morning progressed, but never too hot. The pre-race bag checks were very efficient and I was impressed with how the stewards move runners from each pen to the start line. There was no pushing or crushing just an orderly movement of a mass of runners to the start which went off really well. Holding back the crowds also meant that the wide avenues affords you lots of space and a great start to the run without the need to run with your elbows out trying to stay in your own lane. The first few miles clicked by with great support on the streets as we went around a couple of loops over three bridges before heading towards the Old Town. This is where the first of the local sites on the course appears and I’m pleased to report that Elvis was on-stage and in fine voice as I ran past. At around 5 miles you hit Lincoln Park and as you get beyond 7 miles you are on Inner Lake Shore Drive and about to turn and head back towards the city as you get close to the famous Wrigley Field home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

The route back down to the Loop from mile 8 takes in male cheerleaders in Boystown that were great fun. As you make your way towards mile 12 and nearly half way through, at this stretch the crowd and the atmosphere were fantastic, lots of cheers and name checking as you passed-by. I’d always recommend sticking your name on your t-shirt as this support gets more important as the miles click down. Turning right as you cross two bridges (another tip is to try and run on the mats that cover part of the course to save yourself any issues with your footing on the open meshed surfaces). The half-way mark comes and goes and before you know it you’re on Adams Street and as you get to mile 14 you hit a huge block party where all of the charities are out in force creating a huge buzz and a cacophony of noise which gave me a big boost which certainly gets the legs moving.

After a few more miles and a couple of turns later you’re into Little Italy and before you know it mile 18 is upon you and another turn takes you past the University Campus. You'll be serenaded by the Mariachi bands as you pass through Pilsen (that's not a euphemism). Again, good crowds and support and another loop and you hit mile 20. As you reach mile 21, Chinatown - complete with the dancing dragons gave me a real boost as the atmosphere was amazing. As you have a entered the last 10k you look for the crowds to give you a lift and it was only around mile 23 that the crowd was a little sparse and it felt quite tough before a couple of turns that take you onto Michigan Avenue for the last three miles that takes you past McCormick Place Convention Center on your right as the crowds and noise builds as you get closer to mile 26.

The last mile throws you the classic curve ball with a hill, yes, that's right you have a climb at mile 26. Can't imagine what kind of sadistic so and so decided to include this joyful feature at this stage of a marathon, but it was slightly tempered by a final run downhill into Grant Park - a real bonus for tired legs! Crossing the finish line takes you into the park and as you hit mile 27 for the post-race party you're welcomed home with a Goose Island wheat beer (something you can road test at the Expo).

I can definitely recommend the Chicago Marathon, it's a fast flat course (with the exception of mile 26) and gives a great running tour of the sites of the city. The organisation and logistics were first class and everything worked like clockwork. I achieved a PB here and would love to do it again at some point in the future.