Visiting Chicago for the first time this weekend, and looking for advice on where to do my long run. I'm staying in near Lakeshore East, and need somewhere with access to bathrooms. I can never hold it for all 10 miles. Please help!
Visiting Chicago for the first time this weekend, and looking for advice on where to do my long run. I'm staying in near Lakeshore East, and need somewhere with access to bathrooms. I can never hold it for all 10 miles. Please help!
Was just there last weekend and did a 16 miler along the lake (out and back). Started at the Palmer House and made my way to the bike path along the lake. Other than the stretch from Ohio to Division, the path was pretty clear. I suspect that the warmer temperatures in the past week have melted any remaining snow on the path, and you should have no issues.
Not sure about any bathrooms though...maybe a local can pipe up about that issue.
The lake path is clear and the scenery has been truly beautiful this week with the warmer temperatures and snow having melted. The only minor thing is large puddles of water that you'll have to run around every half mile or so. The bathroom facilities along the path remain closed so bring along some tp and go in the bushes if it's such a problem.
Navy Pier or Lincoln Park Zoo are easy detours from the lakefront path if you can't pull off a bush thing.
Don't run in Chicago. Just pass.
I occasionally visit the Waukegan area, which is about a 30 minute drive north from ORD. If you're in this area, the Des Plaines River Trail is worth the run. Not exactly remote for the most part, but not bad for such a congested area.
If you wind up in the western 'burbs, Prairie Path is the place to be. A ton of local high school teams (including York) and good collegiate/post-collegiate runners train there. It's not exactly close to downtown though so you'll probably have to resort to the overrated lakefront path.
castles made of sand wrote:
If you wind up in the western 'burbs, Prairie Path is the place to be. A ton of local high school teams (including York) and good collegiate/post-collegiate runners train there. It's not exactly close to downtown though so you'll probably have to resort to the overrated lakefront path.
Haters gonna hate.
There is a port-o-potty just off the lakefront trail between soldier field and McCormick place (about 2.5 miles south of the river).
Lakeshore trail is really it if you are downtown. Snow is clear now, but some puddles as others have said. If you plan your break near the north side, there are plenty of stores along Sheridan that you can use their bathroom. If you are south of the loop, then there are plenty of bushes off the path. If weather is nice, go early. It will be jammed. Summer is the worst. North of Belmont and south of Soldier Field it is much less crowded.
lakefront_runner wrote:
There is a port-o-potty just off the lakefront trail between soldier field and McCormick place (about 2.5 miles south of the river).
Oops, went for a run tonight and it seems to have been removed within the last few days.