Choosing between Chicago Marathon and Lagos City 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 | Lagos City Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 7:30 am | Saturday, 13 February 2027 at 6:30 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 179m above sea level. ↑ 74 m · ↓ 73 m · net +1 m | Very flat - approx. 11m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m |
| Typical weather | Cool to mild autumn | Hot and humid winter |
| Typical participants | Approximately 52k finishers | Approximately 30k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Very competitive | Easy |
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 Lagos City Marathon is West Africa's largest marathon, drawing approximately 30k starters each February through Nigeria's commercial capital. The out-and-back course links the National Theatre, Victoria Island, and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge with views across Lagos Lagoon. February's dry-season heat and flat terrain make it a bold early-year challenge in one of Africa's most energetic cities.
Swap either race to compare another pair, or return to the compare hub.
