16°
Mostly sunny
HI 20°
LO 12°
Mild and dry · Kiplimo ran 2:02:23 to set a Ugandan record
CHICAGO
/
USA
/
FOUNDED 1977
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
CLOSED NOV 18, 2025 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course — what to expect, what to pack.
13°
Sunny
HI 17°
LO 8°
Cool, dry, sunny · classic Chicago fall day for racing
9°
Cloudy
HI 13°
LO 7°
Kiptum’s 2:00:35 world record day · 8°C at start, dry, calm wind
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
Qualifying
How you get in
General entry is by lottery. Good-for-age times guarantee entry.
~25%
52,000 bibs · lottery
Applications closed
M2:50
W3:20
Open category (18–34)
See full standards →
$1,750+
via official charity partners. Entry fee $250 US / $260 non-US for 2026
View partners →
Time qualifier standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:15:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:40:00 | 4:15:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:55:00 | 4:30:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:15:00 | 4:45:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:30:00 | 5:00:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 85-89 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 90+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
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?
The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon runs on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Chicago is a flat loop through 29 neighborhoods, starting and finishing in Grant Park.
What are the odds of getting into the Chicago Marathon lottery?
Approximately 25% — the best lottery odds of the legacy five Abbott World Marathon Majors. The 2026 lottery opens October 21, 2025 and closes November 18, 2025, with the draw on December 11, 2025.
What is the Chicago Marathon entry fee for 2026?
$250 USD for US residents, $260 USD for non-US residents. The fee is charged to winning applicants after the lottery draw — unsuccessful entrants are not charged.
Can I enter Chicago without the lottery?
Yes. Time qualifiers of 3:05 (men) and 3:35 (women) guarantee entry. Charity partners offer bibs at a $1,750+ fundraising minimum. International tour operators also sell guaranteed-entry travel packages.
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.