Chicago Marathon weekend is getting a salty assist from McDonald’s.
McDonald’s pickle juice is being bottled and handed out to runners, spectators, and pickle lovers across Chicago as thousands of athletes prepare for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11. According to McDonald’s official announcement, the limited promotion is called Pickle Boost and will run at several locations from October 9 through October 11 while supplies last.
On race day, McDonald’s says runners and spectators can receive two free bottles of the “limited-edition pickle brine shots” at participating Pickle Boost Pit Stops around the city. According to the company’s announcement, participating locations include 2635 N. Clark St., 1563 N. Wells St., 600 N. Clark St., 203 N. LaSalle St. and 207 E. 35th St. McDonald’s says the Sunday giveaway will run from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Central Time.
The official McDonald’s release lists the Wells Street address as 1563 N. Wells St., an important distinction from some reports that have listed the location as 1536 N. Wells St.
Runners can also get an early taste of McDonald’s pickle juice before the marathon. According to McDonald’s, a Pickle Boost Preview is scheduled for Friday, October 9, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive along the Lakefront Trail, a popular route for runners preparing for race weekend.
“Fans can get a first taste and early access to race day MVP,” the release said.
The unusual giveaway arrives during one of Chicago’s biggest annual sporting events. According to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, approximately 55,000 runners are expected to travel through 29 Chicago neighborhoods, with an estimated 1.7 million spectators lining the course. The marathon officially takes place Sunday, October 11.
McDonald’s pickle juice may sound like a marketing stunt, but the idea of athletes drinking pickle brine for cramps has been studied. Research indexed by PubMed found that pickle juice shortened the duration of experimentally induced muscle cramps in a small group of hypohydrated men compared with water. However, researchers found the effect happened too quickly to be explained by restored fluids or electrolytes. They suggested a reflex triggered in the mouth and throat could be responsible.
That distinction matters because McDonald’s is promoting the brine as an athlete-friendly option during marathon weekend. A separate review available through PubMed notes that the causes of exercise-related muscle cramps remain uncertain, with research pointing to several possible factors, including fatigue, abnormal reflex activity and changes in fluid or salt balance.
Pickle juice can also pack plenty of sodium. Cleveland Clinic notes that pickle brine contains electrolytes including sodium, potassium and magnesium, but advises moderation, particularly for people who need to restrict sodium.
McDonald’s is leaning into the connection between its familiar burger topping and marathon culture with a promotion built specifically for Chicago.
“McDonald’s fans always go the extra mile for our pickles, and – in honor of marathon season – we’re going 26.2 for you,” McDonald’s said in its release. “We’re bottling up the salty, athlete-ready brine from the beloved ingredient for one of the biggest marathon weekends in the country in Chicago.”
For runners trying to make it through 26.2 miles, McDonald’s pickle juice is officially moving from the burger box to the race course.
