Running trails near Hyatt McCormick Place?

September 6, 2007 11:12 AM

ChicagoFilter: Running in or around McCormick Place?

I'll be staying 2 days at the Hyatt McCormick Place in a couple of weeks for a professional conclave (tm Jane Craig, "Broadcast News").

Can I (or should I) attempt to run outside in this area? Or should I just suck it up and use the hotel's treadmills?

I can't tell if there are accessible trails or bike paths in the vicinity of the behemoth structure that appears to be McCormick Place.

I only need to be able to run 3-4 miles a pop, nothing major. I'd just rather do it outside and I think it's fun to experience a new city this way.

posted by I_Love_Bananas to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (14 answers total)

There's great running and bicycling on the Lake Shore Drive pathways just East of you, all you need to do is get across 44 (Lake Shore Drive). I think the hotel will have some way of getting across, since the convention center is actually on the East side of LSD. I used to run by there all the time on the running path, it's probably the best-known path in the Chicago area.
posted by onalark at 11:28 AM on September 6, 2007

The convention center itself actually backs right up to the lakefront path. I'm sure the folks at the hotel will be able to tell you the best way to get over there.
posted by cusack at 11:52 AM on September 6, 2007

Pedantic filter: Lake Shore Drive is actually US-41. The running on the lake front path should be perfect for you, and not too crowded that far south. Here's a map of the southern half of the trail
posted by fancypants at 11:53 AM on September 6, 2007

Also, the lakefront path is probably one of the best ways to experience Chicago.
posted by cusack at 11:54 AM on September 6, 2007

run north on the lakefront path to soldier field, adler planetarium and onto northerly island (the old meigs field airport). it's now an open park and it's quite nice to run there. (google maps is your friend.)

if I want to map exact distances while in a different city, I tend to use the ruler tool in google earth. you can establish a path there that will tell you how far you need to run to make a 5 or 10k.
posted by krautland at 12:23 PM on September 6, 2007

(for the record: google's satellite image of the island is very very old. expect grass and walkpaths, not concrete tarmac.)
posted by krautland at 12:26 PM on September 6, 2007

if I want to map exact distances while in a different city, I tend to use the ruler tool in google earth.

Map My Run is also good.
posted by craichead at 12:51 PM on September 6, 2007

The Lakefront path right behind the convention hall is well traveled. As long as you are running in day time hours, you need not worry about safety. I suggest you run north, not south. South of McCormic place isn't too bad, but less traveled, more broken glass. Running north is quite interesting, beautiful, and safe, just watch out for fast moving bikes and rollerbladers. Enjoy!
posted by Lylo at 8:47 PM on September 6, 2007

I'll third krautland and Lylo's recommendations to head north -- some of the best views of the city you can get.
posted by jknecht at 9:09 PM on September 6, 2007

Awesome!! I am now really looking foward to it and hope the weather is good. But I know that's probably a crapshoot.

Thanks for all the links and maps! If I skip the seminars you'll know where to find me.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:37 AM on September 7, 2007

hey bananas, if you're still in chicago and want to run 5k together, shoot me an email :-)
posted by krautland at 6:14 PM on September 8, 2007

Kraut, it's not for a couple of weeks. I'm just trying to plan ahead (and give myself less reason to bag running while I'm away). Half marathon approaching, can't slack off for 3 days just because I'm out of town!

I also don't know when I'll be able to grab the time, as it will depend on which sessions of the conclave I have to attend. But thanks!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:57 AM on September 9, 2007

ouff, a half marathon is too much for me but I'm always up for a quick 5k.
posted by krautland at 1:14 PM on September 9, 2007

See, for me it's endurance over speed. But I've got short legs so that works out well. To blaze through a 5K leaves me saying "Now what?" I'll never be a contender in that particular arena.

I'm sure if we ran together I'd only slow you down. :-)
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:34 PM on September 9, 2007