CA Notice at Collection: Chicago

Osterman Beach: Start at the official beginning of the path on this well-maintained public beach–or end here with a cold drink at nearby Nacho Mama's Burrito Bar.

Foster Beach: Use the restrooms at the beach house right on the beach–or take the underpass just south of Foster to the Margate Park Fieldhouse for toilets relatively free of sand.

Cricket Hill: Summit the path's steepest–if short–incline by the lake, and you'll be rewarded with views of recreational soccer players on the fields below.

Montrose Harbor: Turn off to the east here and you'll wind up on a gravel path on the other side of a golf course and bird sanctuary, with only fishermen as company.

Lakeshore Bike: Rent a bike by the hour, get a tune-up on your existing cycle, or just pick up a tube or lock from the bike part vending machine–it's open 24 hours and takes credit cards.

Hydration Station: One of four free-for-all water and Gatorade stops, open Saturday mornings during marathon training season; sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports and staffed by kind volunteers.

Trough: Stay to the inner (west side, away from the lake) gravel path for access to the water trough, the one source of outdoor hydration open 12 months of the year (thanks to the Chicago Area Runners Association).

These are the Toughest Races In the World: Take care when crossing Fullerton Parkway to enter the path here–though signs in the crosswalk instruct cars to wait for pedestrians, some don't seem to think this applies to runners. Safely on the other side, you can find indoor bathrooms (and big cats) in the Kovler Lion House. Admission is free.

North Avenue Bridge/Beach: If you've been sticking the west side of Lake Shore Drive, you can cross over to the east here–and run right into Chicago's see-and-be-seen beach. Navigating umbrella-toting families and scantily clad volleyball players can help prepare you for the crowded start of a big-city marathon like Chicago, Freeman notes. (Also, find another Fleet Feet Sports hydration station at the Beach House.)

Chess Pavilion: If you need a break, you might find a willing opponent for a game of chess in the cement pavilion that sits in the center. Just north of the pavilion is the third of four hydration stations.

Published: May 21, 2018 3:02 PM EDT: Proceed with caution around the curve just to the north–high winds commonly cause waves to splash over the narrow cement path here. But make it to the beach, and you're rewarded with the perfect place for a post-run dip on a hot day.

Navy Pier: Tera Moody favors this shipping dock and military-outpost-turned-tourist-destination for easy winter runs, and for good reason–indoor restrooms and water fountains beckon on sub-zero days.

Hydration Station: One of four free-for-all water and Gatorade stops, open Saturday mornings during marathon training season; sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports and staffed by kind volunteers.

Buckingham Fountain: The iconic Buckingham Fountain sits almost at exactly the halfway point (with actual drinking fountains around it, as well).

New Study on How Marathons Affect the Brain: Seen a panoramic pic of Chicago's skyline from the south? Odds are high it was taken here. Make sure you don't bump into a Segway while you snap yours; tour groups frequent the museum campus, as this part of the path is known.

Northerly Island: Escape into seclusion on even the busiest of summer days by splitting off the path just south of the Shedd Aquarium. Soon, you'll be nearly alone, with the exception of three figures of Daphne crafted from discarded cars by sculptor Dessa Kirk.

North Avenue Bridge/Beach: Pick up your marathon participant packet at the Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo here in the North Building in the fall; in the winter, head to the southeast corner for potty breaks. This also marks the unofficial dividing line beween the north and south legs of the park, Sagal says–head north to people-watch, south if you want quiet and gorgeous vistas.

Hydration Station: One of four free-for-all water and Gatorade stops, open Saturday mornings during marathon training season; sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports and staffed by kind volunteers.

Parking Lot: Easily accessible from Lake Shore Drive and rarely crowded, this lot offers the perfect place to park while exploring the south end of the path.

47Shedd Aquarium/The Field Museum: The slight incline here marks one of the few in the city–and possibly ranks as one of its longest. For a true hilly course, you'll need to drive far out of the city: 39 miles northwest to Algonquin or 17 miles southwest to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien.