2025 chicago travel package

Are you heading to Chicago in October for the marathon? If so, join FIT at one of their favorite majors! FIT has partnered with the deluxe Le Meridien Essex Chicago to offer an incredible hotel location for runners over marathon weekend. This basic package designed to help support race weekend logistics includes a hotel that looks at the start and finish line, transfers to/from the marathon expo, and breakfast 1 day. Take the stress off race weekend planning with this turnkey, runner designed 3-night stay experience. FIT team members are runners and have finished the CHI 26.2 several times - they are here to help with your race weekend questions! Book today - space is limited & will sell out fast with this prime location!

FULL PACKAGE INCLUDEs**

  • 3-nights deluxe hotel accommodation centrally located in Chicago and across the street from the race start/finish

  • Private transfers to/from the marathon expo (Friday, October 10th at 3pm)

  • Welcome Brunch (Saturday, October 11th at 8:30am)

  • All taxes & gratuities

    **Marathon entry is NOT included in this travel only package. You must have an entry to this event. FIT does not provide an entry through our Chicago travel program. FIT is also not associated with the marathon in Chicago and operates this program as they love this event, know it well, and want to offer clients a great race weekend experience! Come join us. If you need a reduced stay option - please reach out to us, but we highly recommend the 3-night stay.

  • The Le Meridien Essex, Chicago is a luxury property located directly off Michigan Ave in the heart of Chicago near some of the most iconic landmarks of the city including The Bean & the Marathon start/finish in Grant Park.

    Bed Types: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds.

    Room assignment will be based on the reservation you book.

  • DAY ONE | FRIDAY OCTOBER 10TH:

    If today is your check-in day, Welcome to Chicago. After arriving, make your own way to the hotel for 3pm check-in. Today is a good day to zip over to the expo for bib collection and merchandise - as such we have a planned departure to the expo at 3pm. Please try to book flight arrivals early today as transit from the airport to downtown can be about 1 hour. Expo return to hotel is about 6pm.

    DAY TWO | SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th:

    If you registered for the Chicago 5K this morning (we recommend doing), race start is at 7:30am just outside the hotel. After the run, enjoy a FIT brunch to start your day and meet other FIT travelers. Afterwards, enjoy a free day to explore Chicago! Return to the expo, book a river tour, or a bike tour, visit the Bean, Wrigley, or just rest before the marathon tomorrow. Be sure to make dinner reservations this evening for your pre-race meal as there will be many people booking reservations this evening!

    DAY THREE | SUNDAY OCTOBER 12th

    Time to run those beautiful 26.2 miles around Chicago! This flat, fast course is a gem (it can be tricky at the end but you’ve got this). Depart at your leisure for your corral. The marathon start/finish are across the street. We will see you at the hotel for a hello!

    DAY FOUR | MONDAY OCTOBER 13th:

    Congratulations on your marathon experience! We hope that you enjoyed your time in Chicago and wish you a safe journey home or on your continued adventures.

    *Itinerary subject to change. Final itinerary will be sent 3 weeks prior to departure.

  • Three Night Package: Friday, October 10th to Monday, October 13th

    King Single (1 person/1 bed): $1,810

    King Double (2 people/1 bed) $1,970

    2 Beds/2 Travelers/1 Room: $1,970

    2 Beds/3 Travelers/1 Room: $2,085

    2 Beds/4 Travelers/1 Room: $2,180

    *Pricing is total per room for the stay you select and total number of travelers. On our booking page - pricing is per person - the above totals will be split per person occupying the room. Pricing is in USD and includes taxes.

    Rollaways are not permitted in these hotel rooms.

    If you would like to arrive on Saturday, please let us know and we can adjust your arrival. Note this stay duration would not include the expo transfer and breakfast.

    Pricing includes daily $15 Resort Fee. Wifi is included at the hotel.

  • We highly recommend the 3-night package so you have time to settle into CHI, do some touring, run the 5K if you wish and rest before the marathon. If you need amended reservations, please reach out to FIT.

    Note: If you modify your package to arrive on Saturday you will miss expo/brunch. If you book to check-out on Sunday you must check out of your room before you depart for the start line. As such sometimes we recommend to leave the package as is so that your room is ready upon arrival and/or after the race if you are looking to arrive late or depart early.

    Rooms are booked on a first come, first serve basis.

    A $175 per person non-refundable deposit is required to confirm reservation.

    Final payment is due on or before July 1, 2025. Your final payment will automatically be charged to your card used at the time you made your reservations. Accounts where balances remain 5 days after the final payment deadline will be automatically cancelled.

    If you need extended nights you can add these on to your reservation during the booking process. Should you need additional nights beyond what is available, please make your reservation and reach out to us via email regarding extending your stay!

 

OUR PROMISE

The team at FIT carefully evaluates every trip we offer to ensure that our standards are met around the globe. We consider every element of adventure, searching for experiences that are epic, authentic, and socially responsible.