Seeing a blue line suddenly painted on Chicago streets? Here's what it means

Many Chicago residents woke up this week to find a blue line painted down several city streets. What does it mean?

It actually has to do with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, but it’s not just to mark the course.

The blue line appears throughout the marathon’s 26.2-mile course, denoting the “most direct, fastest way” to the finish line, while also acting as the official measurement taken by city and race experts to ensure the Bank of America Chicago Marathon course is exact.

The blue dashed line runs from the marathon start line, across the 26.2-mile course and to the finish line.

“When in doubt, follow the Blue Line,” the marathon wrote on its social media pages Tuesday.

Whether you’re an elite runner or a novice tackling the race for the first time, that blue line will help you go the (least) distance, so stick as close as possible.

According to The Running Channel, the average finishing time for the 2024 Chicago Marathon was just over 4 hours and 20 minutes. The average finishing time for men was 4:04:03, and the average for women was 4:35:03.

The 2026 race kicks off on Oct. 11.

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