In an extraordinary display of teamwork, stamina, and city pride, three friends have completed a whirlwind challenge: visiting every CTA ‘L’ train stop across Chicago in just 9 hours, hoping to secure a spot in the Guinness World Records.
The trio — lifelong transit enthusiasts and self-proclaimed “urban explorers” — meticulously planned the route for weeks. Their mission: ride, switch lines, sprint between platforms, and document each of the 145+ stations in the shortest time possible.
Armed with GoPros, GPS logs, timestamped photos, and a strict adherence to Guinness guidelines, the group set off before sunrise. They navigated the iconic Red Line, looped through the elevated tracks downtown, switched across Green, Blue, Pink, and Brown lines, and ended their journey on the city’s far western edge — all without missing a single stop.
“It was intense, nonstop, and honestly kind of crazy,” one of the challengers said. “But seeing Chicago come alive through every neighborhood was the best part.”
Public transit fans online have praised the attempt, noting that Chicago’s complex rail system makes this feat uniquely challenging compared to similar record attempts in London or New York.
The group has now submitted their evidence package to Guinness World Records and will wait several weeks for official verification. If approved, they hope their achievement inspires others to explore cities in new and meaningful ways.
Whether or not Guinness certifies the attempt, one thing is certain: Chicago witnessed a record-worthy adventure of endurance, friendship, and urban discovery.
