Choosing between Chengdu Marathon and Chicago Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Chengdu Marathon | Chicago Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 7:30 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 499m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m | Very flat - approx. 179m above sea level. ↑ 74 m · ↓ 73 m · net +1 m |
| Typical weather | Mild and humid autumn | Cool to mild autumn |
| Typical participants | Approximately 35k finishers | Approximately 52k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Competitive | Very competitive |
The Chengdu Marathon draws approximately 35k runners each autumn through Sichuan's relaxed capital, famous for pandas, hot pot, and teahouse culture. The course passes Tianfu Square, the Jinjiang River, and the Anshun Bridge with views toward the Qionglai mountains on clear days. October race weather in the Sichuan Basin is mild and overcast — ideal for a flat, fast urban loop.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon winds through 29 diverse neighbourhoods of the Windy City. Known for its flat, fast course and enthusiastic Midwest crowds, Chicago has hosted landmark performances including Kelvin Kiptum's previous men's world record (2:00:35, 2023) and Ruth Chepngetich's all-time women's record (2:09:56, 2024). It remains a favourite for runners chasing Boston qualifying times.
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