Starting Line
The Cobra Lounge
235 N Ashland Ave
Mushers race at 12:30pm SHARP
A great place to watch the race is near the starting line. On Saturday March 7, 2026, the race will begin at the corner of Ashland and Fulton Market (map), in front of the Cobra Lounge, at 12:30 pm. Feel free to come on by to congratulate all the participants on their lack of taste as they cross the starting line. Cheer on your favorite dawgs (please leave your real pets at home) and mushers as they make their way towards the first checkpoint. Be there by 12 noon or you’ll miss the starting horn. And in case you were wondering – YES, the starting line is EPIC.
Finish Line
The Finish Line will be the same as Starting Line. If you would like to take part in post-race festivities just head straight to the award ceremony at Midwest Coast Brewing. Award Ceremony starts at 7pm.
Checkpoints
We announce the checkpoints early so your friends can gather at their favorite checkpoint to cheer you on. Teams will not know which bars they are going to or their route order till the morning of the race. Teams go to all 5 bars and the finish line. Don’t forget to ask your friends to bring food for the food drive!
- Phyllis’ Musical Inn (1800 W. Division)
- Roots Pizza (1924 W. Chicago)
- Midwest Coast (2137 W Walnut)
- Barcocina (1814 W. Chicago)
- Output Bar (1758 W. Grand)
SuperFan Registration
So you aren’t satisfied by just watching idly at a checkpoint? Do you want to be in the chaos from the start? Well good news! You can register to be a SuperFan! Purchasing a SuperFan ticket offers you access to the yard before the race, breakfast, and a look at every glorious Cart that’s there. On top of that, your donations go to support the cause along with everyone else’s. Tickets will be $20 in advance plus 10lbs of food and/or toiletries for Nourishing Hope.
In addition to all the regular Spectator Guidelines, Superfans are subject to a few more specific rules:
- Each registration must be completed separately for the purposes of tracking names at the gate
- If you are purchasing a ticket for someone else, please put their name in the Comment section
- In addition to your SuperFan donation, you are to bring 10lbs of non-perishable food and/or toiletries for Nourishing Hope
- SuperFans must be 21 years of age or older
- Gate will open for SuperFans at 10:15am. No earlier. Gotta get Racers in first, y’know?
- Cobra Lounge will be open
- Race begins at 12:30pm and The Yard closes thereafter
- You will be required to sign a waiver prior to entry
- There will be a maximum of 75 SuperFans allowed
- THERE IS NO SABOTAGE ALLOWED BY SUPERFANS
- THERE IS NO SABOTAGE IN THE YARD, PERIOD
- SuperFan registration ends at 11:59PM CT Thursday, Feb 27; Is it Feb 28 and looking like reg is still open? I like to push my luck as well. But–FYI–I lost my college fund on Pachinko, so…you do you.
Here is a PDF version.
Spectator Guidelines
- Respect the neighborhoods CHIditarod visits – take your trash home with you, don’t trample people’s flowerbeds, etc.
- Follow posted signs and all laws.
- Stay out of the streets. Period. We mean it. You will be herded. Love you!
- Feel free to record the amazingness. Bring nice high-definition photo and video cameras. Upload and link to our Facebook Page, Flickr, etc. Tag “@chiditarod” and use #chiditarod on Instagram and Twitter.
- Fundraise for charity!
- You are not allowed to participate in sabotage.
Food Drive Participation
Remember that the CHIditarod is a massive Food Drive! Please support the cause by bringing food to the starting line (Phyllis’s is the only checkpoint with a food collection bin) and for giving to racers at the starting line. Most needed items are foods that provide greater nutritional value to the hungry: Peanut Butter, Canned Beans, Canned Chili, Canned Soup, Canned Stew, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, & Canned Fish. No Glass.
In addition to non-perishable food items, our food drive partner, Nourishing Hope, is also accepting toiletries.
DISCLAIMER – This information may change before race day.