NOTE: NBC 5 will offer complete live coverage of the 2017 race beginning at 7 a.m. CT online and on TV. The race can be streamed live from around world on the NBC Chicago app, which will also offer a live stream of the finish line from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for more.  

Chicago Transit Authority is giving spectators a front row seat to history at the 40th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. 

Are you heading downtown on Oct. 8 to watch the race? Here is a list of course viewing areas easily accessible by CTA 'L' train:

Mile 1

Catch a Red Line train to Grand/State to find the first mile marker. Be sure to hit this stop early, as runners are expected to arrive at Mile 1 anywhere between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. 

Mile 2

Stay on the Red Line for two more stops to arrive at the two-mile marker off the Monroe station. Racers are likely to appear at this spot anytime between 7:40 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Mile 3

Back at the Grand/State station, a quick three-block walk west to LaSalle Street will bring viewers to Mile 3 of the marathon. Arrive at this vista point before 10 a.m. to watch the runners go by.

Mile 4

The Red Line's Clark/Division station brings viewers right to Mile 4 near the LaSalle Street exit. Meet up with the runners at this stop between 7:50 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Mile 8

Farther north on the Red Line, hop off at Addison and walk four blocks to Broadway Street for another good spectator zone. This spot is technically located at 7.75 miles, so racers should arrive between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Mile 10

Just beyond the 10-mile marker, viewers can continue to catch the marathon action at North Avenue off the Brown Line Sedgwick stop. This area will be filled with runners from 8:15 a.m. to noon.

Mile 11

Viewers can find a couple vista points for Mile 11 at the Clark/Division station and the Chicago/State station on the Red Line. Similar to the Sedgwick spot, runners will come to these areas between 8:15 a.m. and noon.

Mile 12

A third viewpoint can be accessed from the Grand/State station at Mile 12. Just five blocks west at Orleans Street, racers are expected at this area from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mile 13.5

Just over halfway to the finish, the 13.5-mile mark is located two blocks north of the Blue Line's UIC-Halsted stop. Speedy runners could be here as early as 8:27 a.m., but runners should be steadily passing through until 12:30 p.m. Even closer to the L station, viewers can also check out mile 16 on Halsted Street.

Mile 19

18th Street off the Pink Line is the stop to catch Mile 19. Get to this station between 8:55 a.m. and 2 p.m. to see the racers go by.

Mile 20

The Halsted Orange Line station provides access to the course halfway through the 20th mile. Runners will arrive here from 9:05 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Mile 23

Two different stops on the Red Line will bring viewers to Mile 23. Access the race in two different locations from the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT stop (also accessible from the Green Line), or walk two blocks east from the Sox-35th station to hit the same viewing area. Each of these stops will be busy with runner between 9:15 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Mile 25

Stop at Cermak-McCormick Place on the Green Line to reach mile 25 of the marathon. All racers should be making their way past this viewpoint between 9:25 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Mile 26

Check out the runners' final push from Mile 26 off the Roosevelt stop, accessible from Red, Orange and Green Line trains. As racers approach the finish line at Grant Park, this stop is the place to be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.

Race day information and train schedules can be found here on the CTA website.