Chicago Marathon Sunday: which streets close and when they reopen
Which Chicago Marathon streets close on Sunday, October 11, when they reopen, and when no-parking enforcement starts.
When you plan a Sunday trip across Chicago, the Marathon’s route can change your drive, bus ride, or walk across town. On Sunday, October 11, course streets close at 6 a.m. and reopen in stages as the last runners pass; no-parking enforcement starts at 1 a.m.
The Loop is clear by 9 a.m. The National Weather Service forecast issued October 6 called for highs in the mid-70s.
The short answer
The Chicago Marathon is Sunday, October 11; course streets close at 6 a.m., with staged reopenings as the last runners pass, and no-parking enforcement begins at 1 a.m. The Loop is clear by 9 a.m. Race-day closures follow the course through neighborhoods on the North and South sides, with the finish in the South Loop.
For drivers, expect intersections along the route to close as the race passes and reopen in stages. Some roads remain closed after race day because of event setup and teardown. The race organizer’s closure page has the latest details for specific streets.
The October 6 National Weather Service forecast called for highs in the mid-70s. Check updated forecasts and organizer alerts closer to Sunday.
Closures by neighborhood
The course moves from Grant Park through the North Side and West Loop, then turns south to the finish in the South Loop. Street access returns in stages as the last runners clear each stretch.
The race begins in Grant Park and takes runners through the Loop. The Loop is clear by 9 a.m., giving you an early window for downtown travel once the course has reopened.
From the Loop, the course heads through Near North and Lincoln Park, then reaches Lakeview and Broadway. It continues through Old Town and back into Near North before turning west toward the West Loop. Streets along these stretches reopen as the final runners pass; check the organizer’s closure page for block-level timing.
The route then travels through Pilsen and Chinatown before reaching Bronzeville and the South Loop finish. Closures along these southern sections also lift in stages behind the field. The timing depends on when the last runners pass each part of the course.
Plan a trip across the route as a sequence of separate crossings, not a single all-day closure. If your destination is near a course street, check the race closure map before leaving and allow extra time for a crossing point to reopen.
Grant Park and pre-race closures
Grant Park event setup brings closures that begin before race day, and some restrictions continue after Sunday. Race-day course closures are only part of the access changes around the start and finish area.
The organizer lists earlier closures connected with race preparations and later closures for event teardown. Four closure entries dated October 8 do not have a verified Sunday or Monday reopening time, so check the race page for current details before driving near Grant Park.
If you are meeting a runner or heading to the park, use the current closure information for the specific street you need. A race-day course reopening time does not establish when a separate setup or teardown restriction ends.
What stays open and how to get around
Expressways and Lake Shore Drive stay open during the race, while access across the course is limited to open cross streets. Clark Street operates two-way during the event.
The Kennedy Expressway ramp to Adams Street closes. Build that restriction into a downtown route, especially if you are approaching from the Kennedy.
Buses are rerouted around the course. For transit, check CTA service information before setting out and allow extra time for a changed bus stop or route. The race closure information does not provide bridge or CTA route details, so use CTA updates for your specific trip.
Parking and towing
No-parking enforcement begins at 1 a.m. Sunday, October 11. If your vehicle remains in a posted race closure area, it can be towed.
Check signs along your block before leaving a car overnight. For towing information, call 312-744-4444.
The weather note and the alert colors
As of October 6, the National Weather Service forecast called for highs in the mid-70s. Check the forecast again before race day because conditions can change.
The race’s Event Alert System uses colors to communicate conditions: green indicates low risk, yellow moderate risk, red high risk, and black extreme risk. The color gives you a quick signal about the level of concern at the event.
The actual weather note sent to runners could not be found, and the 2026 alert level was not published where it could be confirmed. That means no particular color or runner message can be attributed to this year’s race. Use the organizer’s current updates for any race-day alert.
Where to check on race day
Check the OEMC app for city updates and the race app for event information. Look for organizer email updates if you are a runner, and review the race closure page before driving near the route.
Photo: Michigan Ave by Fuzzy Gerdes, BY 2.0.