Choosing between Chicago Marathon and Sydney 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 | Sydney Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 6:30 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 179m above sea level. ↑ 74 m · ↓ 73 m · net +1 m | Moderate hills including Harbour Bridge - approx. 58m above sea level. ↑ 262 m · ↓ 345 m · net −83 m |
| Typical weather | Cool to mild autumn | Mild winter |
| Typical participants | Approximately 52k finishers | Approximately 35k 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 Sydney Marathon offers one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world, crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with views of the Opera House and harbour. As the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, Sydney combines iconic landmarks with a challenging but rewarding course through Australia's largest city.
Swap either race to compare another pair, or return to the compare hub.
