Chicago Marathon 2015: Route, Course Map, Times, Road Closures, Event Details

The Chicago Marathon once again seizes the attention of the globe, as about 45,000 runners will weave through 29 different neighborhoods in the Windy City.

Returning veterans and first-time participants alike will flock to the course Sunday, as will some of the world's greatest runners in an all-inclusive spectacle that stands as a landmark of the sporting season.

The marathon's Facebook account provided some staggering context for the global event:

With warm weather expected and one of the most captivating, scenic routes around, catching the 2015 iteration of the event is a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Start time: Sunday, October 11 at 7:30 a.m. ET

TV: NBC5 Chicago.

Here's a look at the full list of start times:

Category	Start Time (ET)
Marathon Wheelchair Start	7:20 a.m.
Marathon Handcycle Start	7:21 a.m.
Athletes with Disabilities Start (AWD)	7:22 a.m.
Wave 1 Start	7:30 a.m.
Wave 2 Start	8 a.m.

The start in Grant Park is just the beginning of a comprehensive look at one of the country's most beautiful cities spanning 26.2 miles. Given the 29 neighborhoods involved, runners get treated to a little bit of everything.

The marathon's Twitter account provided a look at the route and course map:

Of course, with a complicated course comes some road closures those in and out of the event will have to know about to navigate through the city Sunday morning into the afternoon. NBCChicago.com provided a comprehensive look at the closures.

Weather would be another major factor both spectators and participants need to know about ahead of the opening gun. In an interesting turn of events, it seems Mother Nature will dish a warmer-than-expected slate Sunday. 

The marathon's medical director, George Chiampas, spoke with Sarah Schulte of ABC7Chicago.com about changes to the alert system thanks to expected temperatures: "We have increased our event alert system to yellow, the purpose of that is so runners can understand what they might need to do to decrease their pace, change strategy."

Other than general specifics about details, the people making up the race serve as an interesting talking point, too. 

Casual runners flock to an event such as this, but locals take part, too. Take downtown Chicago resident Phillip Sitar, a nine-year veteran, for example. He shed some light on what it feels like to run in the event during a conversation with Matt Lindner of RedEyeChicago.com.

"[At Mile] 18, you’re starting to have a sense of awareness of how difficult it is," Sitar said. “By 22, you start to pray. You say to yourself, ‘You’ve gotten through 20, you’re at 22 miles, you’re almost there,’ and that light at the end of the tunnel is what helps get you to it."

Make no mistake: The marathon is a challenge for casual and elite runners alike.

It's only natural to glance at the elite side given the event's ability to draw major names. According to Erin Strout of RunnersWorld.com, Tsegaye Kebede, owner of the marathon-best time on the men's side, withdrew from the event with an injury.

Things look wide-open on the men's side as a result, but Endeshaw Negesse, winner of the Tokyo Marathon this year, looks like a major contender. On the women's side, Florence Kiplagat leads the way after setting a world record in a half marathon this year.

From the elite to the casual, it's impossible to ignore a 45,000-person event in a city like Chicago. Things kick off Sunday morning, so be prepared to catch the event—the participants sure will.

Information courtesy of ChicagoMarathon.com unless otherwise specified.