How to cheer the Chicago Marathon (and why Mile 23)

The Chicago Marathon is one of the biggest days of the year in this city. It runs every October, usually on the second Sunday, starting and finishing in Grant Park and looping through dozens of neighborhoods on the way. More than a million people come out to cheer. If you've never watched it, go. If you have a friend running, go and make some noise.

Why the late miles matter

The first half of a marathon is mostly fun. Runners are fresh, the crowds downtown are huge, and everyone feels great. Somewhere after mile 20, that changes. Legs get heavy, the pace slips, and runners start doing math about how far is left.

In Chicago, those late miles head south through Pilsen and Chinatown into Bronzeville before the course turns back north toward the finish. The crowds thin out down here compared to downtown. That's exactly why a loud corner at Mile 23 matters so much.

The OnThe9 cheer zone at Mile 23

Every October, OnThe9 Run Crew holds down an official community cheer zone at Mile 23 in Bronzeville:

35th & Indiana (3429 S. Indiana Ave) · Mile 23 · Bronzeville

We bring megaphones, cowbells, tambourines, confetti and handmade signs. Runners have three miles to go when they reach us, and we treat every one of them like they're about to win. Anyone is welcome to join. Bring a sign and your voice.

The nearest "L" stops are 35th-Bronzeville-IIT on the Green Line and Sox-35th on the Red Line. Expect street closures around the course all morning, so leave the car at home if you can.

How to find your runner

• Download the official race app and add your runner before race morning. It shows split times and estimated arrival at points on the course.
• Ask them what they're wearing and which side of the street they'll run on.
• Agree on a spot using a cross street or a landmark. "the OnThe9 cheer zone at 3429 S. Indiana" works better than "somewhere in Bronzeville."
• Plan for the pace to slow. Late-race estimates drift. Get there early and stay a few extra minutes.

What to bring

• A sign. Big letters, short words. Your runner's name is the best sign there is.
• Noise. Cowbells, tambourines, megaphones, pots and pans.
• Layers. October mornings in Chicago can start cold and warm up by noon.
• Water, snacks and a charged phone for you, not the runners.
• A chair if you plan to stay for hours.

Cheering etiquette

• Stay off the course. Runners can't swerve around you at mile 23.
• Don't hand runners food or drinks unless they're your runner and you planned it. Aid stations handle that.
• Cheer for everyone, not just the person you came for. Read names off bibs and shirts and yell them.
• Keep going after the front of the race passes. The people in the back need it more.

After the marathon

If watching the marathon makes you want to run one, you're not alone. Our race season guide covers the other big races in the city, and our first half marathon guide is a good place to start. Or come run with OnThe9 on a Saturday.