Marathon Starting Line Parking
A. The best parking option is to move your car to one of the 3 Finish Line parking areas, see below, after unloading your canoe. You can take the free shuttle back to the Start Line to begin the race. See the shuttle schedule below.
B. Alternatively, after unloading canoes, cars may be parked along the shoulder of Oak Springs Road ONLY west of the river.
C. In addition, free all day parking will be available for approximately 100 cars at the Lake Minear Beach Club. The lot entrance is 1/4 mile west of the river along Oak Springs Road. Cars must be removed from this lot by 5:00 p.m., making this a less desirable choice for participants starting later in the morning.
Finish Line Off-Site Parking
There is NO on-site parking the Dam #2 Woods entrance on Rt 45 for the finish line.
***Note – Competitors can park momentarily at Finish Line, but only to load up paddlecraft and gear.***
Everyone MUST use lots A, B, or C and return to the finish line using the free local shuttle (provided) or by walking.
Available at 3 sites beginning at 6 a.m. the day of the event.
A. The best parking option is to move your car to one of the 3 Finish Line parking areas, see below, after unloading your canoe. You can take the free shuttle back to the Start Line to begin the race. See the shuttle schedule below.
B. Alternatively, after unloading canoes, cars may be parked along the shoulder of Oak Springs Road ONLY west of the river.
C. In addition, free all day parking will be available for approximately 100 cars at the Lake Minear Beach Club. The lot entrance is 1/4 mile west of the river along Oak Springs Road. Cars must be removed from this lot by 5:00 p.m., making this a less desirable choice for participants starting later in the morning.
Finish Line Off-Site Parking
There is NO on-site parking the Dam #2 Woods entrance on Rt 45 for the finish line.
***Note – Competitors can park momentarily at Finish Line, but only to load up paddlecraft and gear.***
Everyone MUST use lots A, B, or C and return to the finish line using the free local shuttle (provided) or by walking.
Available at 3 sites beginning at 6 a.m. the day of the event.
- LOT A: Camp Pine Woods Forest Preserve parking lot, east of Rt. 45, south Euclid/W. Lake Ave.
- LOT B: If needed for overflow, east of river, north of Lake-Euclid Ave.
- LOT C: If needed for overflow, west of river, north of Lake-Euclid Ave.
Minithon Start Parking
As with the Marathon Starting Site, there is nearby parking available in the Potawatomi Woods lot. However, the better parking option is to move your car to a Finish Line parking area after unloading your canoe and gear. You can take the free shuttle back to the Minthon Start Line to begin your paddle. See the shuttle schedule below.
Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses will be available free of charge from the finish line to the start line and off-site parking.
A. To the Marathon Start Line - free shuttle buses will leave the Finish Line at Dam # 2 beginning at 6:30 a.m., 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00 and 9:30 returning to the Oak Spring Road start line. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. and thereafter, the bus will leave every 45 minutes until 5:00 pm.
B. To Minithon Start Line, one way - free shuttle buses from the Finish area to the Minithon Potowatomi Woods Start will run at 10:00 a.m., 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:15 with the final bus at 1:00 p.m.
C. To Finish Line Off-Site Parking - beginning at 6:15 a.m. buses will run continuously to and from Lots A & B. You may ride the buses both ways (courtesy of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.) Family and friends who wish to greet you at the Finish Line and enjoy the day with you may also use the off-site lots and free shuttle bus.
Canoe Pick-up
A. Before retrieving your vehicle, please bring your canoe and equipment to fenced "canoe corral" located at the Finish Line on the east side of the loading area along River Road.
B. Enter the loading area from the temporary entrance on the south end, load your canoe and exit promptly on the north end.
Pedestrian Crossing Route 45/River Road If you're parked in the residential area west of Dam #2, please cross Rt. 45/River Road only at the entrance or exit of the canoe loading area where Forest Preserve police will be directing traffic.
As with the Marathon Starting Site, there is nearby parking available in the Potawatomi Woods lot. However, the better parking option is to move your car to a Finish Line parking area after unloading your canoe and gear. You can take the free shuttle back to the Minthon Start Line to begin your paddle. See the shuttle schedule below.
Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses will be available free of charge from the finish line to the start line and off-site parking.
A. To the Marathon Start Line - free shuttle buses will leave the Finish Line at Dam # 2 beginning at 6:30 a.m., 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00 and 9:30 returning to the Oak Spring Road start line. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. and thereafter, the bus will leave every 45 minutes until 5:00 pm.
B. To Minithon Start Line, one way - free shuttle buses from the Finish area to the Minithon Potowatomi Woods Start will run at 10:00 a.m., 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:15 with the final bus at 1:00 p.m.
C. To Finish Line Off-Site Parking - beginning at 6:15 a.m. buses will run continuously to and from Lots A & B. You may ride the buses both ways (courtesy of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.) Family and friends who wish to greet you at the Finish Line and enjoy the day with you may also use the off-site lots and free shuttle bus.
Canoe Pick-up
A. Before retrieving your vehicle, please bring your canoe and equipment to fenced "canoe corral" located at the Finish Line on the east side of the loading area along River Road.
B. Enter the loading area from the temporary entrance on the south end, load your canoe and exit promptly on the north end.
Pedestrian Crossing Route 45/River Road If you're parked in the residential area west of Dam #2, please cross Rt. 45/River Road only at the entrance or exit of the canoe loading area where Forest Preserve police will be directing traffic.
Marathon Hotline:847-604-2445
Info@canoemarathon.com
Info@canoemarathon.com