🇺🇸Chicago, USA
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Oct 11, 2026
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
30 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Lottery
PB potential
World-record territory — one of the fastest courses on the planet
Beginner friendly
Great for newcomers — manageable course, strong support
About this race
Chicago's near-sea-level course and minimal elevation change make it consistently one of the fastest World Majors. The loop format — starting and finishing at Grant Park — takes runners through 29 distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character: the noise of Wrigleyville, the energy of Pilsen, the polish of Lincoln Park. October temperatures are typically ideal for fast running (10–18°C at the gun), and the flat profile allows runners to settle into goal pace from the first kilometre. The lottery fields roughly 45,000 runners from hundreds of countries. For Americans chasing a Boston qualifier, Chicago is often the most accessible route — ample charity places are available for those who miss the lottery. Mile 18 through Chinatown is famous for the deafening noise and drumlines.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
10–18°C
Humidity
50–65%
Conditions
Clear to partly cloudy, cool mornings
Wind
10–20 km/h variable
Who this race suits
PB-seekers and first-timers alike — the flattest World Major, with a generous cut-off and huge crowd support.
Superb PB course: flat, fast, and well-organised, with cool October mornings. Also one of the more beginner-friendly majors.
Overview
- Field size
- ~50,000 finishers
- Course type
- Loop starting and finishing in Grant Park; very flat
- Cut-off time
- 6 hours 30 minutes
- Aid stations
- Frequent and well-stocked
Course intelligence
- Profile
- Nearly pancake-flat; one short rise on Roosevelt Road near the finish
- Highlights
- 29 neighbourhoods — Wrigleyville, Boystown, Pilsen, and Chinatown around mile 21
Registration
- How to enter
- Non-guaranteed drawing, time-qualified guaranteed entry, charity, or legacy entry
- Registration opens
- Drawing application window in the autumn before the race
- Note
- Charity places are widely available if the drawing misses
Race weekend
- Expo
- Health & Fitness Expo at McCormick Place — in-person packet pickup
- Start
- Grant Park, with wave and corral starts
Travel & logistics
- Best airport
- O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW)
- Getting around
- CTA 'L' trains and buses; downtown is very walkable
- Where to stay
- The Loop, near Grant Park
Runner tips
- Tall downtown buildings can disrupt GPS — race by feel and manual splits near the start.
- Chinatown around mile 21 is a lift when it hurts most — use the crowd.
- Save a little for the short Roosevelt Road rise just before the Grant Park finish.
Qualifies for
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