Extra service will help runners and spectators travel to Grant Park and along the marathon route on Sunday
Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will provide additional service for runners and spectators attending the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on
Sunday. CTA is planning to have added capacity on several rail lines as needed, while Metra will offer extra early morning inbound and midafternoon outbound trains on three lines.
Gates at Grant Park open at 5:30 a.m., with the first runners starting at 7:20 a.m. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
CTA Rail and Bus Service
CTA’s Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines provide access to the start and finish areas at Grant Park and locations along the marathon route. Extra service will be provided on the Red, Blue, Brown, Green and Pink lines, as needed.
Southbound Purple Line service from Linden to Howard will begin at 5:30 a.m., earlier than the regularly scheduled 6:05 a.m. start.
More than 30 CTA bus routes will be affected by marathon street closures, including all routes in the Loop and most routes operating south of Irving Park Road, east of Damen Avenue and north of 35th Street.
For specific route information and travel guidance, visit transitchicago.com/marathon.
Metra Train Service
Metra will offer extra service on the Milwaukee District North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines. The BNSF and Union Pacific North lines have expanded Sunday schedules that will get customers downtown before the race begins. All other lines with Sunday service will operate their regular Sunday schedules.
From Thursday, October 8, through Saturday, October 10, additional midday Metra trains will stop at McCormick Place so marathon participants can pick up their race packets and attend the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo in the North Building, Level 3, Hall B1.
For specific Metra schedules, visit metra.com.
Fare Options
Metra’s $7 Sunday Day Pass provides unlimited rides all day and can be purchased on the train or through the Ventra app. Weekend Family Fares also allow up to three children ages 11 and younger to ride free with a fare-paying adult.
Ventra app users purchasing a Metra Day Pass can add unlimited travel on CTA and Pace for an additional $2.50 by selecting the Regional Day Pass option.
CTA customers can save on travel by purchasing an unlimited-ride 1-Day Pass for $5 or a 3-Day Pass for $15—both offering an economical alternative to the cost and hassle of driving and parking.
The CTA strongly recommends customers allow extra travel time and plan ahead by downloading the Ventra app, which allows you to manage your Ventra account, and also features a new trip planning tool powered by Google Maps.
CTA offers a variety of convenient payment options—from smart devices to contactless credit cards. Learn more about payment options and ways you can maximize your dollars with our lower-priced unlimited-ride passes by visiting: transitchicago.com/fares/