Chicago

blue

A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Chicago with Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann, and Carrie Shepherd.

Axios Chicago

Standard

Chicago Alerts

Alert

Axios Chicago Partners

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Chicago Members

Membership

Trying to smile through the pain as I cross the finish line of my first (and so far only) marathon in 2017. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Erdody/Axios 

👋 Hi, Axios Editor Lindsey Erdody here.

I'm about to be a first-time Chicago marathon runner, and with race day less than a month away, I've naturally started panicking.

And not just about having to run 26.2 freaking miles.

Catch up quick: The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is Oct. 9, with about 40,000 runners expected to descend upon downtown.

Details: I am fairly familiar with downtown Chicago, but I don't live here and am far from an expert.

My cheering section is probably even less familiar with the Windy City than I am, and they're the poor souls who have to navigate the course to find me.

The ask: What's your best advice for a newbie like me?

What's the best strategy for spectators, or the best way to get around that weekend?

Is there a secret to navigating the marathon packet pickup?

But, most important: Where should I eat dinner the night before the race? 

Monica has already suggested Monteverde and Tortello for great pasta — but are there other places I should consider? I want lots of carbs. Like no-way-you-should-eat-that-much amounts of carbage.

📬 Send me your tips and tricks at lindsey.erdody@axios.com or by replying.

We need tips and tricks for running the Chicago marathon

What's your best advice for a newbie out-of-towner?

<figure><img alt="Photo of a woman running in a marathon. " height="566" id="e5f5b9ea-5125-48cf-9ebd-d95a1ac89100" src="https://images.axios.com/9syBxmvKvrgvjrJgVlgYenjEXU4=/2022/09/13/1663094852200.png" width="991"/><figcaption>Trying to smile through the pain as I cross the finish line of my first (and so far only) marathon in 2017. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Erdody/Axios </figcaption></figure>👋 Hi, Axios Editor Lindsey Erdody here.Chicagoans, I need your help.

Things to Do

The 46th Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take over city streets this weekend as the massive event looks to top last year's record-high numbers.

The big picture: The Chicago Marathon is a huge win for the local economy, and has had about the same impact as the NASCAR Street Race and Lollapalooza combined.

By the numbers: In 2023, the city estimated that the economic impact of the marathon was close to $550 million. For comparison, last year, Lollapalooza's impact was $422 million, while NASCAR generated $128 million.

48,472: The number of runners who participated last year. This year the organizers are expecting over 50,000.

1.7 million: Spectators expected to line neighborhood streets.

3,694: The number of full-time jobs the marathon directly contributed to in 2023.

200: Charity organizations that raised money by selling slots to runners.

29: The number of neighborhoods that the course runs through.

1977: The year the marathon started. It was originally named the Mayor Daley Marathon.

💭 Editor Lindsey's thought bubble: I was one of those out-of-towners who ran the marathon and contributed to the economic impact in 2022.

Her takeaway: You guys really show up for the race. In most courses, there are sections without any spectators — but not the Chicago Marathon. It was so loud that I couldn't listen to the podcasts I had lined up.

Lindsey's recommendation for spectators: I love a sign with a good, timely joke. Make me laugh and distract me. One I remember from 2022 said "due to inflation" we had to run more than 26.2 miles.

But if you don't have a sign, being energized and shouting classics like "You got this!" and "Keep going!" help.

What doesn't help? Telling runners they're "so close" to the end when they are still miles away. We know where we are — don't lie.

The bottom line: Suck up the road closures and the inconveniences the marathon causes. Even though other special events get top billing, the Chicago Marathon is one of the biggest economic drivers in the city.

Go deeper: Chicago Marathon food and drink specials

Chicago Marathon is a huge economic engine

From tourism to restaurants to not-for-profits, the Chicago Marathon is a financial win for the city.

Photo of runners coming towards camera on a city street 

Runners compete during the Chicago Marathon downtown on Oct. 8, 2023. Photo: Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua via Getty Images

The 46th Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take over city streets this weekend as the massive event looks to top last year&#x27;s record-high numbers.The big picture: The Chicago Marathon is a huge win for the local economy, and has had about the same impact as the NASCAR Street Race and Lollapalooza combined.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Sports

Indianapolis

Axios Indianapolis

Detroit

Axios Detroit

NW Arkansas

Axios Northwest Arkansas

Columbus

Axios Columbus

The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament begins Wednesday night, and sports fans across the country are rushing to get their brackets filled out before the big dance.

We've tapped our Axios Midwest colleagues to help.

Here are some quick arguments for why you should (and shouldn't) pick your favorite team to go all the way this March:

Photo of a mascot cheering on at a basketball game. 

Howl, the ASU mascot, fires up the crowd during a recent game. Photo: John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: It will be the debut NCAA Tournament game for the Arkansas State women's team, so they'll hit the court with a single-minded mission — win, writes Axios NW Arkansas' Worth Sparkman. 

Why not to pick 'em: The game will be played in Connecticut, so UConn has the home advantage.

Photo of two women fighting for a rebound during a basketball game. 

Ball State Cardinals forward Maliyah Johnson (No. 2) and Toledo Rockets forward Jessica Cook (No. 34) battle for a rebound during the second quarter of the MAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game. Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: The Cardinals are coming in hot, winning their last seven games to secure the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles, writes Axios Indianapolis' Justin Mack. 

Why not to pick 'em: This is just the second time the Ball State women's team has made it to the NCAA Tournament and their first invite in 16 years. 

That intriguing stat makes them even more of a longshot.

Photo of two women in basketball uniforms on a court. 

Adalia McKenzie (No. 24) of the Illinois Fighting Illini returns to the bench during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: The Illini are having a record year, writes Axios Chicago's Justin Kaufmann. 

Their 21 regular season wins are the most ever and they return to the first round of the tournament for the first time since 2003. 

Why not to pick 'em: They got bounced quickly in the Big Ten Tournament and if they get past Creighton in the first round, they'll have to face the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns.

Photo of a woman in a basketball uniform celebrating during a game. 

Sydney Affolter (No. 3) of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: The Hawkeyes lost the last two national championships, so winning the natty this year with first-year coach Jan Jensen and without generational star Caitlin Clark would be completely unexpected, writes Axios' Everett Cook. 

Why not to pick 'em: Clark was a 2x National Player of the Year who averaged 31 points per game her senior year and constantly bailed the Hawkeyes out when they needed a bucket — and she is not walking back through that door.

Photo of a woman dribbling a basketball during a game. 

Iowa State Cyclones guard Arianna Jackson (No. 2) drives against Baylor Lady Bears guard Jada Walker (No. 11) in a Big 12 tournament quarterfinal game. Photo: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: Audi Crooks is a force in the paint who is unguardable against certain teams, writes Axios' Everett Cook. 

Why not to pick 'em: Being dependent on one player to score could make the Cyclones one-dimensional against good teams.

Photo of a woman in a basketball uniform on a court. 

Chloe Moore-McNeil (No. 22) of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game against the Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: This is the Hoosiers' sixth straight NCAA tournament appearance, and they made it to at least the Sweet Sixteen three of those years, writes Axios' Lindsey Erdody.

Why not to pick 'em: This is not the same team as previous years after losing several star players. Their 19 wins this season is the lowest since the 2014-2015 season.

Photo of women basketball players huddling during a game. 

Syla Swords (No. 12) of the Michigan Wolverines talks to team members during the game against the Washington Huskies in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: Freshman Syla Swords leads a trio of freshmen that propelled the Wolverines to a better season than expected with only one starter returning from last year's team, writes Axios Detroit's Joe Guillen. 

Why not to pick 'em: Michigan was tested against one of the country's best teams in USC during the Big Ten Tournament and lost, 82-70.

Photo of a group of basketball players gathered watching the court during a game. 

Members of the Michigan State Spartans during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: Second-year coach Robyn Fralick led MSU to its highest tournament seed since they were No. 2 in 2016, writes Axios Detroit's Joe Guillen. 

The Spartans' draw isn't the worst — they avoided a potential second-round matchup against UConn. 

Why not to pick 'em: Michigan State enters the tournament in middling form, losing six of their last 10 games.

Photo of a woman dribbling a basketball on a court. 

Hannah Hidalgo (No. 3) of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish dribbles up court against the Duke Blue Devils during the semifinal game of the ACC women's basketball tournament. Photo: Lance King/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: A disappointing 3 seed should give this stellar team — that went on a 19-game winning streak and was ranked in the top 5 for much of the season — something to prove, writes Axios Indianapolis' Arika Herron. 

First- and second-round games at home don't hurt, either.

Why not to pick 'em: Luck hasn't exactly been with the Irish as of late. They're in a bit of a slump, dropping three of their last five games and failing to make the ACC tournament final.

Photo of a woman in a basketball game playing on a court. 

Cotie McMahon (No. 32) of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Why to pick 'em: Led by Cotie McMahon and Jaloni Cambridge, the Buckeyes have been consistent and have largely beaten the teams they're supposed to en route to a 25-6 record, writes Axios Columbus' Andrew King. 

Why not to pick 'em: They've struggled against top opponents.

They were handily beaten in back-to-back games against USC and UCLA in February, then suffered their worst loss of the season to UCLA in the Big Ten tournament.

Go deeper: Midwest Men's teams you should (and shouldn't) pick

Midwest Men's teams you should (and shouldn't) pick

Axios Detroit Partners

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Detroit with Annalise Frank and Joe Guillen.

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Detroit.

Axios Detroit Thought Bubble

Detroit Alerts

Detroit Members

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus Partners

Columbus Alerts

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Columbus Members

Northwest Arkansas Alerts

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Northwest Arkansas, written by local reporters.

Axios Northwest Arkansas Thought Bubble

Axios NW Arkansas Partners

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Northwest Arkansas with Alex Golden and Worth Sparkman.

Axios NW Arkansas Deep Dive

Northwest Arkansas Members

A picture of the Indianapolis skyline with the letters IND

Axios Indianapolis Partners

Indianapolis Alerts

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Indianapolis with Justin L. Mack and Arika Herron.

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Indianapolis.

Axios Indianapolis Thought Bubble

Indianapolis Members

Des Moines

Picture of the Des Moines skyline with DSM written across it.

Axios Des Moines Partners

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta.

Axios Des Moines Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Des Moines with Linh Ta and Jason Clayworth.

Axios Des Moines

Axios Des Moines Deep Dive

Des Moines Members

Cleveland

Axios Cleveland Partners

Cleveland Alerts

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Cleveland with Sam Allard and Troy Smith.

Axios Cleveland

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Cleveland.

Axios Cleveland Thought Bubble

Cleveland Members

March Madness picks: Midwest women's teams you should (and shouldn't) bet on

Our Axios Midwest reporters give you insider knowledge on why to pick or avoid Midwest teams in the tournament.

The game ball rolls along the baseline during a recent Women's Big Ten Tournament game. Photo: Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The NCAA Women&#x27;s Basketball Tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/17/march-madness-womens-bracket-tips-how-to-fill-out" data-vars-content-id="52c10fb3-aad4-4880-9991-fd295f6942da" data-vars-headline="March Madness picks: Midwest women&#x27;s teams you should (and shouldn&#x27;t) bet on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/17/march-madness-womens-bracket-tips-how-to-fill-out" target="_self">The NCAA Women&#x27;s Basketball Tournament</a> begins Wednesday night, and sports fans across the country are rushing to get their brackets filled out before the big dance.<ul><li>We&#x27;ve tapped our Axios Midwest colleagues to help.</li></ul>Here are some quick arguments for why you should (and shouldn&#x27;t) pick your favorite team to go all the way this March:

👋 Hi, Axios Editor Lindsey Erdody here with Chicago Marathon tips and tricks.

Catch up quick: I will be among the 40,000 marathon runners descending upon the Windy City this weekend. I asked you for advice, and you really came through.

For restaurant recommendations, Kyle S. shared his strategy of going to The Cheesecake Factory because you're guaranteed to get a lot of food. 

Other suggestions include La Scarola, Sofi, Franco's and Mario's Table.

For spectators, the main advice is to use the L or ride bikes. 

Brad H. advises, "Brave the crowd near mile 1 to try to catch a glimpse early and watch the wheelchair racers and elites (might be too packed to find your runner), take Red line from Grand to Addison and walk east to mile 8.5, take Red or Brown back south to the Loop to see them at mile 13 (or grab a donut at Do-Rite), take Red all the way south to Sox-35th at mile 23, then meet back after the race along Michigan Ave."

Other viewing tips: Either stay inside the route or outside of it. Don't try to cross back and forth, because as Chris A. says, "If you try to cross over, you are doomed."

Also, carry helium balloons and/or flags.

Per Mike B., who finished the Chicago marathon in 2011 and 2012: "There are also many spectators who bring goodies all along the way. Donuts, tacos, pretzels, chips, bananas [disclaimer: I loathe bananas], trail mix, beer down on the southern end, maybe other places."

Threat level: According to Brad H., the end of the route has something referred to as "Mount Roosevelt."

"After a ridiculously flat course, you have to run up a gentle hill at mile 26 when you turn off Michigan to Roosevelt. It feels worse than you'd think, especially if you're struggling. The slight downhill to the finish line is very nice, though."

Yes, but: Lee C., who has run two marathons, referred to that stretch as "Heart Attack Hill," but he also shared a motivational message that will be in my head when I'm struggling on Sunday.

He suggested breaking the race into several sections — starting the first eight miles slow ("Take note of the fast starters. You will be passing them all starting at about mile four"), paying attention to my form in the second eight miles and staying hydrated and eating snacks in the third eight miles.

Then: "At Mile 24: Are you kidding? After ALL THE TRAINING AND EFFORT? You are going to cross that line if you have to do it on your hands and knees. It is time to simply be TOO DUMB TO QUIT."

The bottom line, per Lee C.: "Congratulations. I knew you could do it. No one can ever take this away from you, and I promise you … YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME."

Local advice for Chicago Marathon runners, spectators

Where to eat before the race, how to navigate the course and more!

woman standing outside wearing sunglasses, smiling

Training went mostly well. Photo: Lindsey Erdody/Axios

👋 Hi, Axios Editor Lindsey Erdody here with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Marathon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicagomarathon.com/" data-vars-content-id="883e2a66-c475-494d-b7cb-b137b5997008" data-vars-headline="Local advice for Chicago Marathon runners, spectators" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicagomarathon.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Marathon</a> tips and tricks.Catch up quick: I will be among the 40,000 marathon runners descending upon the Windy City this weekend. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I asked you for advice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/09/14/soliciting-tips-tricks-chicago-marathon" data-vars-content-id="883e2a66-c475-494d-b7cb-b137b5997008" data-vars-headline="Local advice for Chicago Marathon runners, spectators" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/09/14/soliciting-tips-tricks-chicago-marathon" target="_self">I asked you for advice</a>, and you really came through.

Lindsey Erdody

Featured stories

IU football's wild turnaround sparks belief and hope

What to see in Indy for the Big Ten title game

We taste-tested Indy breweries' fall beers

Where Taylor Swift fans can celebrate "The Life of a Showgirl" in Indy

The good, bad and ugly of Indy's WNBA All-Star weekend