Next race
Sunday, 11 October 2026
7:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban loop
Elevation
Rolling · 74 m gain
74 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Chicago Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 52k finishers
Course & terrain
The Chicago Marathon is a flat 26.2-mile loop starting and finishing in Grant Park, crossing the Chicago River repeatedly as it tours 29 neighbourhoods including the Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Pilsen, and Chinatown. Aside from the early climb out of Grant Park and the Cermak Road bridge near mile 21, it is built for fast running, and huge crowds are loudest in Pilsen, Northalsted, the Loop, and the finish approach.
The Chicago Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 74 metres of climbing and 73 metres of descent, with a net climb of 1 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 74 m gain — approx. 179 m above sea level
↑ 74 m · ↓ 73 m · net +1 m
Download the Chicago Marathon GPX file
Marathon Focus' proprietary GPX processing removes duplicate points, adds elevation data, and formats the file so you get a cleaner, more reliable route to load into your Garmin, Coros, or Apple Watch fitness watch.
Registration
Chicago uses a lottery system that opens in late October or November and closes a few weeks later, with results announced by January. The field is approximately 45,000–50,000 runners. Alternative routes include the Bank of America Charity Programme (minimum fundraising commitments vary, typically $1,750–$3,500 per charity), a time-qualifier entry for runners with sub-3:00 (men) or sub-3:30 (women) marathons, and a Generosity Entry for those rejected from the lottery for multiple consecutive years.
Getting there
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
11 km / 7 mi
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
25 km / 16 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Chicago.
The Lakefront Milwaukee Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each October along Lake Michigan's western shore. The course passes the Art Museum with its Burke Brise Soleil wings, Veterans Park, and the Oak Leaf Trail on flat lakeside terrain. October's crisp Great Lakes autumn and the iconic Calatrava museum backdrop make it Wisconsin's premier marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
The Madison Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each November on a capitol city road in Madison, United States. Running between two lakes gives the race a classic isthmus-city feel that is unique in the Midwest. The route passes the Capitol square, the University of Wisconsin campus, and lakefront stretches between Mendota and Monona. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Friday, 13 November 2026
The Grand Rapids Marathon draws approximately 1,300 finishers each October on an urban road in Grand Rapids, United States. It is known regionally as a dependable Midwest BQ course. The course passes the Grand River, city parks, and long straight sections through neighborhoods built for even splits. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
The Carmel Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each April on a suburban road in Carmel, United States. It is notable for how smoothly the course runs through Carmel's distinctive roundabout network. The route passes Monon Trail-adjacent streets, roundabout-lined boulevards, and manicured suburban neighborhoods. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Saturday, 17 April 2027
The Indianapolis Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers on an urban road in Indianapolis, United States. The course starts and finishes at Monument Circle. The route passes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway area and the Canal Walk. Mostly flat with gentle undulations.
Next race: Saturday, 7 November 2026
The Fox Cities Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each September on an urban and suburban road in Appleton, United States. Linking several Wisconsin communities gives the event a bigger footprint than its finisher count suggests. The course passes Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through the valley cities. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors series, the Six Star Medal, qualifying paths, and how to approach racing the world's biggest city marathons.
Which US marathons produce Boston qualifiers in practice — course data, typical BQ rates, and how to match a race to your qualifying window.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
