The Chicago Triathlon takes over the lakefront and will close parts of Lake Shore Drive on Sunday, as nearly 10,000 people swim, bike and run in the annual event.
The race has two main distances: international (about a 1-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run) and sprint (about a half-mile-swim, 15-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run).
Activity centers around Grant Park with the bike course going north on Lake Shore Drive and weaving through some of downtown’s most interesting subterranean streets. The run course heads south on the lakefront path.
Here are key details if you are participating, watching or trying to avoid the traffic.
Race schedule
The race takes place Sunday, Aug. 26, with staggered start times. The race begins with the swim phase.
- 6 a.m.: First swimmers start (international race)
- 8:15 a.m.: Sprint race swimmers start
- 10:15 a.m.: Last participants done with swim
- 10:30 a.m.: Last participants start bike phase
- 11:45 a.m.: Last participants finish bike phase
- Noon: Last participants enter run course, southbound Lake Shore Drive opens
- 1:45 p.m.: Last participants finish
- 2 p.m.: Course closes
Race course
There are two courses for two races of different lengths: international and sprint. The transition area, where participants switch from swim to bike and bike to run, is north of Monroe Harbor on the lake.
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RANDOLPH
Transition
area
Swim
finish
MONROE
Shorter swim
Longer swim
CONGRESS
BALBO
Start
of swim
MICHIGAN
1/4 mile
The swim
The swim takes place in Monroe Harbor south of Navy Pier.
- International: 1,500m
- Sprint: 750m
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1. Bikers ride North on Lake Shore Drive to Hollywood Avenue and turn around
FOSTER
Shorter bike route exit at Randolph Street and doesn’t ride on Wacker or McCormick
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BELMONT
FULLERTON
NORTH
2. Out Lower Wacker to Jackson Boulevard
and back
Start and finish
of bike
MICHIGAN
290
90
ROOSEVELT
3. South on McCormick Busway to I-55 and back
CERMAK
55
1/2 mile
The bike
The bike course taking over the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive north to Hollywood Boulevard, parts of Wacker Drive and McCormick Busway.
- International: 40k
- Sprint: 24.5k
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MICHIGAN
MADISON
Start
of run
290
Finish
90
ROOSEVELT
Shorter run
turn around at Waldron Street
CERMAK
Longer run
turn around at 31st Street
55
31ST
1/2 mile
The run
The run heads south along the Lakefront Trail.
- International: 10k
- Sprint: 5k
Road closures
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- Lake Shore Drive, southbound Hollywood Avenue to Randolph Street: 5 a.m. to noon Sunday
- Lake Shore Drive, northbound Randolph Street exit ramp: 11 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday
- Columbus Drive, Roosevelt Road to Balbo Drive: 1 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday
- Lower Wacker, Jackson Boulevard to Lake Shore Drive: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday
- McCormick Place Busway: 6:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Sunday
- Intermediate Columbus Drive, northbound Randolph Street to Water Street: 6:30 a.m. to noon Sunday
- Lower Columbus Drive, Randolph Street to Wacker Drive: 6:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Sunday
- Intermediate Randolph Street, Columbus Drive to the Lakefront: 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday
Where to watch
-
Watching the swim: There is space to watch along the lakefront path adjacent to Monroe Harbor.
-
Watching the bike: Riders can be seen passing by a few spots, the North Avenue pedestrian bridge over Lake Shore Drive or the 11th Street pedestrian bridge over the McCormick Place Busway.
-
Watching the run: Spots along the lakefront path on the Museum Campus or the finish line on Columbus Avenue.
-
Free trolley: A free trolley will be available to take participants and spectators from the transition area to the finish line.
-
Participants can be tracked using the Athlinks App or using this link
Sources: Chicago Triathlon, City of Chicago, baiduhai reporting
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