The Bank of America Chicago Marathon brings tens of thousands of runners and spectators to the city. While the race occurs on Sunday, for business owners like Maurizio Michi, the most significant day is Saturday. Michi’s restaurant, Sofi, experiences high demand from runners seeking carb-heavy meals the evening before the marathon. Michi refers to this day as their marathon day because of the bustling activity.
The Chicago Marathon is a major economic engine for the city and its businesses along the race route. An economic study estimated that last year’s marathon added nearly $756 million to the local economy. Of the over 55,000 participants, approximately 75% came from outside Illinois, spending on hotels, restaurants, and shops.
The city’s tourism organization, Choose Chicago, estimated that 1.7 million spectators were present during the marathon. The 26.2-mile route covers 29 neighborhoods, spreading economic benefits widely.
Angel Diaz, owner of Frida Room in Pilsen, finds that spectators often visit local restaurants while waiting for runners. “It’s a nonstop day,” Diaz notes, highlighting the increased activity.
For Sofi, marathon preparations involve increasing pasta orders and doubling ingredient stock. Michi explains that marathon participants mostly dine early and tend to avoid alcohol, preferring hearty meals. They intentionally offer larger portions to meet runners’ demands.
Intelligentsia Coffee plays a pivotal role in the marathon’s logistics, supplying coffee to volunteers who arrive as early as 3 a.m. The company opens its downtown and Lakeview locations at 6 a.m. on Sunday, aligning with the marathon traffic. Lori Haughey, Intelligentsia’s operations VP, emphasizes their commitment as a Chicago company to support this major event. Intelligentsia’s special “26.2 blend” is crafted for runners, offering a gentle option before the race.
At BellyBowl, an Asian-style restaurant in South Loop, marathon day doubles profits. Owners Ivan Williams and Stephanie Gong attract a mix of runners and local attendees. Williams notes that the marathon draws new diners who often return. The restaurant utilizes delivery robots to efficiently manage orders, ensuring customer satisfaction during the busy day.
As the marathon influences multiple sectors within the city, these businesses adapt to serve marathon attendees with precision and speed, enhancing both their own growth and the local economy.