A Day-by-Day Guide to Airport Arrivals, Race Morning, Spectator Pickups, and Monday Departures for Chicago Marathon Weekend
Written by the Prestige Lux Limos team — a veteran-owned, licensed and insured Chicago limo company, 10+ years serving Chicagoland. Updated September 2026.
Prestige Lux Limos — Chicago chauffeur service for marathon weekend. Available 24/7. (708) 696-3117 · text us · prestigeluxinc@gmail.com · Chicago & Nearby Areas.
Quick answer: The Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the race starting in waves in Grant Park. The weekend puts a lot of people in motion at once: runners and families arriving at the airports, early-morning trips to the start, spectators trying to reach the course, and a wave of departures on Monday. The easiest way to handle it is to plan each leg of the weekend in advance. Book your airport pickups, your race-morning ride, your post-race pickup, and your Monday departure together, so nothing depends on finding a car in a crowd. Our rides start at $100 with flat rates and no surge pricing.
Thursday and Friday: Airport Arrivals
Runners and their families begin arriving days before the race. If you are flying into O’Hare or Midway, a pre-booked ride takes the guesswork out of the first leg of the trip. We track your flight in real time, so the pickup adjusts if you land early or late. At O’Hare, curbside pickup at your terminal is standard and meet-and-greet service inside the terminal is available on request, which is helpful for international arrivals and first-time visitors. See our O’Hare limo serviceand Midway limo service pages for details.
Getting to Your Hotel
Most visitors stay downtown, and many pick hotels near Grant Park for race morning. From the airport, we take you directly to your hotel entrance with luggage assistance. If you have not chosen a hotel yet, our Chicago hotel limo service page lists the downtown hotels we regularly serve, and booking early matters because hotels near the start fill quickly.
Saturday: Pre-Race Errands and Dinner
The day before the race is usually a mix of packet pickup, a short shake-out run, and a pre-race dinner. Hourly service lets you book a vehicle for a block of time, so your driver can wait while you handle your errands and take you back to the hotel afterward. Our hourly limo service is useful when you have several stops and do not want to arrange a new ride for each. Check the official Chicago Marathon website for the details of packet pickup, since locations and hours are set by the race.
Sunday Morning: Getting to the Start
Runners are typically asked to arrive early for the start, gear check, and corral entry, so check the official race guide for your start time and requirements. Streets near Grant Park and along the course are closed, which means your driver will usually drop you at a point near the closure area rather than at the start line itself. Agree on the drop-off location with dispatch before race morning, and give yourself extra time. A booked black car service means your ride is confirmed in advance instead of competing for a rideshare in the busiest hour of the weekend.
Sunday: Spectators and Families
The course runs through many Chicago neighborhoods, and family and friends often want to catch their runner in more than one place. Because of the road closures, crossing the course by car is difficult. Choose your viewing spots ahead of time, walk or use transit between them, and arrange pickups on the edges of the closed areas. Your driver can wait or meet you at a pre-agreed spot so you are not searching for a ride in the crowds.
After the Finish
Most runners want to sit down, eat, and get back to the hotel as quickly as possible. Arrange a pickup point and a time window with your driver ahead of time, keep dispatch’s number handy, and share the plan with anyone meeting you. Having the ride settled in advance makes the walk out of the finish area much easier.
Running Clubs, Charity Teams, and Family Groups
Traveling as a group means more people to coordinate. Our Sprinter limo seats up to 14, and our luxury SUVs seat six or seven, so a team or family can travel together to the start, back to the hotel, or to a celebration dinner. Tell us your headcount and how much luggage you have when you book so the vehicle fits everyone.
Monday: Heading Home
Monday brings a wave of departures from the airports. Most downtown hotels are about 17 to 20 miles from O’Hare, and the drive typically takes 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Add time for checkout, loading bags, and your airline’s recommended arrival window. Book your Monday pickup at the same time as the rest of your weekend, so you are not looking for a ride on tired legs.
Suburban Hotels and Families
If you are staying outside downtown, or family is driving in from the suburbs, check our service areas page to see where we operate. Longer trips into the city deserve extra planning on race morning, so schedule your pickup well ahead of time.
Cost and Booking
Our rides start at $100 with flat rates and no surge pricing, which matters on a weekend when demand for rides is high. The final rate depends on the route, the vehicle, and the hours you need, so ask for a quote for your specific plans. We recommend booking at least 24 hours ahead for peak periods, and with race day approaching, sooner is better. Booking multiple legs together helps lock in your vehicle availability. For more on how we handle big Chicago events, see our overview of Chicago event transportation.
Marathon Weekend Checklist
Confirm your race start time and rules in the official race guide. Book your airport arrival and Monday departure. Book your race-morning ride and agree on a drop-off point. Plan spectator viewing spots and pickup locations outside the closed areas. Arrange a post-race pickup and time window. Share the schedule and phone numbers with everyone in your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
Sunday, October 11, 2026. The race starts in waves in Grant Park.
Can a car take me to the start line?
Usually not. Streets near the course are closed, so plan a drop-off point near the closure area and check the official marathon website for current road closure information.
Can you pick up a group after the race?
Yes. Agree on a pickup point and a time window ahead of time, and we can send a Sprinter van or SUVs to fit your group.
Do you track flights for airport pickups?
Yes. We monitor arrivals in real time and adjust the pickup if your flight is early or delayed.
Is there surge pricing on race weekend?
No. Our rates are flat, and rides start at $100.
How do I book?
Call (708) 696-3117, text us, or reserve online. Available 24/7.
Plan the Whole Weekend at Once
Focus on the race and let us handle the rides. Reserve online or call (708) 696-3117.
Prestige Lux Limos · Chicago & Nearby Areas · (708) 696-3117 · prestigeluxinc@gmail.com · Available 24/7
