CHICAGO MARATHON
CHICAGO, USA
HOW MANY CHARITIES ARE INVOLVED?
More than 200 US nonprofits have guaranteed entries and others will have runners using their own entry to raise funds. A small number have upwards of 100 entries, but many have teams of 10 or fewer. There are very few charities from outside the US with guaranteed entries.
WHY IS IT GOOD FOR FUNDRAISING?
The programme has good profile on the event website and the nonprofits involved offer great support. There is a lot of pre race support on the day and the course is full of cheer zones.
WHAT ABOUT AFTER THE RACE?
The proximity of start and finish area mean the support is greater here than in the majority of big events. Charities can see their runners at the start and again at the finish. The big charities all have post race functions and many of the smaller ones join forces to offer a thank you function of some type with food, drink and masseurs.
HOW MUCH IS RAISED?
$28 million was raised by runners in the 2023 event.
HOW TOUGH IS IT TO GET A CHARITY ENTRY?
It's relatively easy. The average fundraising pledge is $1250 to $1750, which is relatively low given how hard it is to get a ballot entry.