Updated 9/24/15: All shuttles are full. If you don’t have a shuttle pass, you can park near the Metra Millennium Station (at Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue) and take a train to the race. See Metra Rail section for more details.
The annual Chicago Half Marathon is on September 27, 2015. It begins and ends in Jackson Park, a 500-acre park on Chicago’s South Side. The race starts at 7 a.m. The course takes you along Chicago’s south Lake Shore Drive. Seriously, you’ll run on Lake Shore Drive. You’ll enjoy views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago skyline, and the Science and Industry Museum campus.
Whether you’re preparing for the Chicago Marathon, or it’s your first race, the flat course is ideal for first-time runners or veterans. Before you can run 13.1 miles, you’ve gotta get to the starting line on time. Here’s how to park for the Chicago Half Marathon.
Chicago Half Marathon Parking & Shuttles
Parking is limited near Jackson Park. We do not recommend driving to the start/finish area and expect to find parking. There is a complimentary race-day shuttle transportation to/from downtown Chicago and Jackson Park. The shuttles are the easiest and fastest way to the starting area. You can use SpotHero to reserve parking near one of two race-day shuttle locations: Millennium Park and Belmont Red/Brown CTA station.
Book Chicago Half Marathon parking near Randolph & Michigan
Book Chicago Half Marathon parking near Belmont (Red/Brown Line L Station)
Important: Shuttles will depart as buses fill beginning at 4:15 a.m. with the last shuttle departing at 5:30 a.m., all to arrive at Jackson Park by 6:15 a.m. The shuttles must depart on time, so don’t be late! Return shuttles are provided from the finish.
Metra Rail Service
Additional METRA Rail train service has been added to Metra’s Electric Line, which departs Millennium Station (at Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue) and arrives at 63rd Street Station (less than a half mile from the race venue). A $5 special event pass will be sold on race day from Millennium Station ticket windows only. This special event pass is valid only for travel between Millennium Station through 63rd St. Visit metrarail.com for details.
Trains TO Race:
Depart from Millennium Station and arrive at 63rd St. Station
#8303: Depart 5:00 a.m., Arrive 5:18 a.m. (*flag stop: please alert the conductor)
#MX01: Depart 5:45 a.m., Arrive 6:10 a.m.
#803: Depart 6:30 a.m., Arrive 6:48 a.m. (recommended for 5K participants)
Trains FROM Race:
Depart from 63rd St. Station and arrive at Millennium Station
#8306: Depart 10:07 a.m., Arrive 10:26 a.m.
#MX02: Depart 10:25 a.m., Arrive 10:50 a.m.
#806: Depart 10:37 a.m., Arrive 11:05 a.m.
#8308: Depart 12:07 p.m., Arrive 12:26 p.m.
Chicago Half Marathon Course Map
Curious about the course itself? Check out the map to see mile markers, aid stations, and more. More than half of the course is a long stretch running on Lake Shore Drive.
Photos courtesy Chicagohalfmarathon.com