2025 edition
16°
Mostly sunny
High20°
Low12°
Mild and dry · Kiplimo ran 2:02:23 to set a Ugandan record
Chicago Marathon
A flat, fast loop through 29 neighborhoods. Ruth Chepngetich set the women's WR here in 2024.
First run 1977. Chicago has hosted multiple world records; Ruth Chepngetich set the women's marathon world record of 2:09:56 here in 2024. Chicago offers the best lottery odds of the legacy five Majors at roughly 25%, and also accepts time qualifiers.
Ballot opens
Oct 21, 2025
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
Nov 18, 2025
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Dec 11, 2025
Winners notified
Passed
Race day
Oct 11, 2026
October 11, 2026
Next up
OPENS IN 19 DAYS · OCT 8, 2026
Official updates
2027 confirmed details
| Race day | Sunday, October 10, 2027 Source |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Thursday, October 8, 2026 Source |
| Applications close | Thursday, October 29, 2026 Source |
| Entry results date | Tuesday, December 8, 2026 Source |
| Entry fee | $250 (USD) for U.S. residents non-charity; $260 (USD) for non-U.S. residents non-charity; $325 (USD) for U.S. residents charity; $335 (USD) for non-U.S. residents charity Source |
| Charity minimum | $2,500 (USD) Source |
2027 qualifying standards
| Age | Men | Women | Non-binary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-34 | 02:50:00 | 03:20:00 | 03:20:00 |
| 35-39 | 02:55:00 | 03:25:00 | 03:25:00 |
| 40-44 | 03:00:00 | 03:30:00 | 03:30:00 |
| 45-49 | 03:10:00 | 03:40:00 | 03:40:00 |
| 50-54 | 03:15:00 | 03:50:00 | 03:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 03:25:00 | 03:55:00 | 03:55:00 |
| 60-64 | 03:40:00 | 04:15:00 | 04:15:00 |
| 65-69 | 03:55:00 | 04:30:00 | 04:30:00 |
| 70-74 | 04:15:00 | 04:45:00 | 04:45:00 |
| 75-79 | 04:30:00 | 05:00:00 | 05:00:00 |
| 80 and over | 04:50:00 | 05:20:00 | 05:20:00 |
2026 confirmed details
| Race day | Sunday, October 11, 2026 Source |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Source |
| Applications close | Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Source |
| Entry results date | Thursday, December 11, 2025 Source |
| Entry fee | $250 (USD) for U.S. residents; $260 (USD) for non-U.S. residents Source |
| Charity minimum | $2,200 (USD) Source |
Each entry window belongs to the edition shown above. Unlisted dates are not confirmed here.
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course, what to expect, what to pack.
2024 edition
13°
Sunny
High17°
Low8°
Cool, dry, sunny · classic Chicago fall day for racing
2023 edition
9°
Cloudy
High13°
Low7°
Kiptum’s 2:00:35 world record day · 8°C at start, dry, calm wind
Related·
In the news
Dispatches on the Chicago Marathon ballot, results, and race updates, most recent first.
Sep 18
Chicago Marathon 2027 application dates and deadlines confirmed
Sep 17
Chicago Marathon 2026 Packet Pickup: Dates, Hours, and Rules
Sep 14
Chicago Marathon Deferral: Deadline, Fees and Eligibility
Sep 05
When Is the Next Major Marathon?
Course·
Loop through 29 neighborhoods, start & finish in Grant Park
Grant Park → Grant Park
Cool, variable, 5–20°C
Elevation
Course profile
Pancake flat, minimal elevation change across the loop through 29 neighborhoods. Wind off Lake Michigan is the variable that decides fast days from grind days.
Total ascent·16m
Total descent·18m
Highest point·183m @ 37 km
PAST RESULTS
Ballot history
The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon ballot drew 200,000 applications. Browse every year's breakdown below.
2026 · Record
200,000
The largest ballot in race history. A 25% jump on 2025's 160K figure.
View 2026 results
Applications · 2022 → 2026
80K86K123K160K200K
'22'23'24'25'26
CHARITY PLACES
2026 charity entry
Organizer's published minimum: $2,200 (USD). Individual charities may require more.
Charity partner directory, last checked Saturday, September 19, 2026. Confirm availability and fundraising requirements with each charity.
Photos
On the course
Scenes from the 2025 edition, the Grant Park finish and the crowds through the neighbourhoods.
Finish · 2025
Crowd · 2025
FAQ
Common questions
When is the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
Chicago Marathon 2026: Sunday, October 11, 2026.
When can I apply for Chicago Marathon 2026?
Applications open: Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Applications close: Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
When are the 2026 entry results?
Results date: Thursday, December 11, 2025. Check the organizer for your individual outcome.
What does Chicago Marathon 2026 cost?
Entry fee: $250 (USD) for U.S. residents; $260 (USD) for non-U.S. residents. Charity minimum: $2,200 (USD).
Has a world record been set at the Chicago Marathon?
Yes. Chicago has hosted multiple world records; most recently, Ruth Chepngetich set the women's marathon world record of 2:09:56 here in October 2024, becoming the first woman under 2:10.