Transition Area
The fenced transition area is located on the grass in the lakeside park south of Randolph St. approximately 500 yards from the swim finish. Transition opens at 4:45am and bikes must be checked in by 6:15am. Proceed immediately to swim start lineup (sea wall at Monroe Harbor). An Event wristband is required for access to transition & swim lineup. Make sure to arrive early because the transition area closes promptly at 6:15am. Transition will reopen at approximately 11am.

The Swim [view map]
[.75k (Sprint) or 1.5k (International)]
The Swim takes place at Monroe Harbor along the sea wall. The in-water start takes place 900 yards south of the Chicago Yacht Club with the swim finish 100 yards south of the Club. Sprint distance athletes swim north (.75K) to the finish. International distance athletes swim south (380 yards), around a orange buoy & then north to the finish. Note: The lake bottom is rocky and shallow. Enter with caution!!!

The Bike [view map]
[22k (Sprint) or 40k (International)]
Cyclists exit on the north end of transition & proceed up the entry ramp at Randolph into the middle two lanes of north-bound Lake Shore Drive (LSD). Cyclists continue north to the turnaround near Foster, cross the median & return in the middle two southbound lanes on a parallel course. The Sprint distance athletes continue south past Randolph to make a 180-degree turn onto the exit ramp at Randolph & then proceed to transition. The International distance athletes make a 180-degree turn at Chicago Ave., proceed north for a second lap on LSD, & return on southbound LSD to exit at Randolph (same as the Sprint).

The Run [view map]
Age Group [5K (Sprint) or 10K (International)]
Runners exit the transition (south end) & proceed south on the middle (asphalt) path. At Buckingham Fountain, runners continue on the grass to rejoin the path & proceed to the Museum Campus.

5K Run
Sprint distance athletes turn left & continue across Solidarity Dr. proceeding on the path closest to Burnham Harbor to a point prior to McCormick Place where they make a 180-degree turn & return on a parallel course. At the Shedd Aquarium, runners turn left through the tunnel under Lake Shore Drive, then make a sharp right and head up the sidewalk parallel to Lake Shore Drive. Athletes then make a left onto the blacktop path, and head west to Columbus Drive where they head north to the Finish Line.

10K Run
International distance athletes turn left, continue across Solidarity Drive & proceed on the path closest to the harbor, around McCormick Place & then south along the bike path to a point approximately one mile south of McCormick Place. Runners make a 180-degree turn & return on a parallel course. At Shedd Aquarium, runners turn left through the tunnel under Lake Shore Drive, then make a sharp right and head up the sidewalk parallel to Lake Shore Drive. Athletes then make a left onto the blacktop path, and head west to Columbus Drive where they head north to the Finish Line.