Choosing between Chicago Marathon and Edinburgh 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 | Chicago Marathon | Edinburgh Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 30 May 2027 at 10:00 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 179m above sea level. ↑ 74 m · ↓ 73 m · net +1 m | Hilly with notable climbs - approx. 66m above sea level. ↑ 120 m · ↓ 120 m · net 0 m |
| Typical weather | Cool to mild autumn | Cool to mild and humid spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 52k finishers | Approximately 30k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Very competitive | Very competitive |
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.
The Edinburgh Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 30k finishers on an urban road in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The course starts in Edinburgh and finishes in Musselburgh on the coast — point-to-point. Hilly only in the first few miles leaving Edinburgh.
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