Chicago Marathon '09 - a poor runners dilemma

I see how fast the posts move through the forums here, so I will be posting this a few times over the summer. I got into the Chicago Marathon (Oct 11, 2009), however, here is my problem. I will need an extremely cheap place to stay (think a step above sleeping in the bus station, lol)...I have never been to Chicago but I really wanted to run this marathon. I see the marathon begins near Grant Park. Basically, what I%26#39;m looking for (and I know I%26#39;m taking a huge risk asking people I know nothing about) is a floor to sleep on for that Saturday night (10-10-09), as I plan to travel from Duluth on Saturday, sleep over, run the marathon on Sunday, and head home after because I have to be back for work on Monday (i.e. you%26#39;d hardly know I was there).

Does anyone know about the marathon, or anyone running it who lives or is staying close to the starting line? My other option is to take the Megabus from here which leaves here at 10pm and arrives in Chicago at 6am; the only problem with that is someone would have to pick up my race packet the day before and meet me there (you can have someone pick up your race packet for you; they just have to have your permission while they%26#39;re handing them out at the race expo). If someone who would be at the Expo would be willing to pick mine up (and we would have to be able to see each other before the race, etc.) that would be great...hope this makes sense!

Get back to me if this might work for you, I%26#39;m trying to plan this as early as possible.

Chicago Marathon '09 - a poor runners dilemma

hichicago.org/chicago-hostel-reservations.sh鈥?/a>

Check out the hostel. It looks to be $33 for Oct 10-11. Can%26#39;t beat that price and it is close to the start of the marathon

Chicago Marathon '09 - a poor runners dilemma

You might want to join couchsurfers where people let you sleep on their couch and then I guess you allow people to sleep on yours if they pass through town.

http://www.couchsurfing.org/

or, another cheap downtown hotel is The Toyko. Rooms are around $50. I have seen the rooms, and while sparse, the would be better than the bus station.

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