10/20/99
When the starter's gun fires for the LaSalle Bank's Chicago Marathon at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, October 24, CTA 'L' trains will provide the most timely transit service within the area where the race is taking place. Customers should anticipate delays to bus service as the race progresses.
Street traffic will be affected in stages as thousands of runners follow a 26.2-mile zigzag route from the lakefront in Grant Park north to Belmont and back downtown; west to Ashland and east to Halsted; and south to Pershing before returning to Grant Park. Every bus operating within this area could be delayed for a time. CTA 'L' service will be the most reliable way to reach any destination.
Spectators who want to watch the Marathon will be able to choose from a variety of viewing areas detailed in a brochure published by the sponsors of the race. The LaSalle Bank's Chicago Marathon Spectator & Transportation Guide recommends transit lines to use to reach each of the suggested viewing sites.
The pocket-sized guide will be especially useful for spectators supporting individual runners, allowing them to move from one location to the next in time to provide encouragement to their favorite participants. The guide will be available at CTA rail stations, and through the sponsor's toll-free line at 1-888-243-3344.
A map of the race routing is shown in the guide, together with the approximate times the majority of runners will be passing through each two-mile segment. Directions are given on how to get from each viewing area to the next using CTA 'L' trains and buses.
Uniformed CTA supervisors will be on duty along the route to assist in directing riders to locations where the buses are operating. 'L' service will not be interrupted during the Chicago Marathon race.
For details about all CTA service, call 836-7000 (all local area codes).
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