The Chicago Marathon

Everything you need to know about the Chicago Marathon

Another of the World Marathon Majors. the Chicago Marathon doesn't boast the history and world famous landmarks of some of its peers, but it does boast excellent race day logistics and a pancake flat course. Even if you're not after your Majors medal it's still one that you need to tick off the bucket list.

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Chicago

Chicago is a welcoming city with plenty of world-class attractions that can suit all styles of travel. It's a particularly accessible city, with many attractions, dining options, and entertainment centrally located. There are also a number of neighborhoods further out from the city centre that are worth the easy bus or train ride to explore.

Hundreds of theatres fill the city, from Broadway shows to indie productions. Some of the world’s best museums are found here, including the perennially popular Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum. Chicago is also an architectural significant and diverse city, home to some of the most notable architects of the twentieth century. And there are plenty of accommodations to choose from, from budget to all the fancier chains. The Hilton is the race hotel only a few steps from the start and finish.

History

The first event was held when there were 2128 finishers. To date there have been over a million finishers and six world records, including in 2023.

2023, the 45th running, was a landmark event. The largest finisher field in event history included four course records and the race’s millionth finisher. Kelvin Kiptum (KEN) became the first man to run a sub-2:01 marathon in an officially sanctioned competition, breaking the tape in a world-record time of 2:00:35. Course records fell in every professional division of the race, with Sifan Hassan (NED) setting a new women’s course record in 2:13:44, Marcel Hug (SUI) breaking his own record set last year in the men’s wheelchair race in 1:22:37 and Catherine Debrunner (SUI) writing her name in the race’s history books with a new women’s wheelchair course record of 1:38:44.

Race Organiser

The Bank of America owns and organises the event.

When is the Chicago Marathon?

The race is held annually in October

Distance

Marathon

Is there an Expo?

The Expo features over 100 exhibitors offering Bank of America Chicago Marathon merchandise and the latest in running footwear, apparel, nutrition and technology. Additionally, the Health & Fitness Expo is the home of the participant packet pick-up for all Marathon participants. Held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the three-day Expo is free and open to the public.

How many runners?

50,000

The course

The start and finish is in Grant Park which is a stand out feature of this race. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Grant Park is Proudly referred to as "Chicago's Front Yard," and totals 312.98 acres. It's a public park located in Chicago’s central business district in the Loop Community area. Grant Park’s most prominent features include Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus. It's also home to baseball diamonds, tennis courts and breathtaking gardens. The park plays host to some of the city's largest food and music festivals, including The Taste of Chicago and The Grant Park Music Festival and also Lollapalooza, a popular outdoor music festival. It's the perfect space for a marathon start and finish line. Nothing feels cramped and everyone has plenty of time to move around freely. Sponsors are happy and signage is great.

The first mile takes you across Michigan Avenue, known more commonly as the Magnificent Mile. This street is home to dozens of historic buildings and huge skyscrapers and is the area that gives the City its reputation for its stunning architecture. Historic Lincoln Park, between miles 4 and 7, was established over 100 years ago. This picturesque neighborhood is a nature lover’s dream, with manicured gardens, a hidden lily pond, a historic indoor botanical garden, and tons of lakefront green space with sweeping city views. It also happens to be home to one of the country’s oldest free zoos and an acclaimed dining scene.

At halfway you come to Chicago’s Union Station, hailed as one of the greatest and most historic public transit hubs in the nation. Named a Chicago landmark in 2002 and designated one of “America’s Great Places” in 2012 by the American Planning Association, Chicago’s Union Station is a staple among the city’s iconic architecture. Constructed at a cost of $75 million in the 1920s (more than $1 billion in 2017 dollars), Union Station anchors the West Loop. It brings in travelers from both coasts and disperses local commuters throughout the Chicago area. The main attraction in the head house is the Great Hall, with its 219-foot-long barrel-vaulted skylight that soars 115 feet above the ground. It was blacked out during World War II for security reasons and remains in need of restoration. Other original elements of the station that still exist include long oak benches, along with light fixtures and chandeliers decorated with birds, bees, butterflies and flowers.

Chicago was a destination for immigrants to the United States for decades and as a result there are many different cultural enclaves throughout the city and many of them are along the marathon course. You run through Greektown, Little Italy, and the Mexican-American hub of Pilsen, but perhaps the most exciting is Chinatown. With only five miles to go when you hit this point, you’ll love the festive atmosphere of the crowds and the Chinese music being played at the streetside parties.

The run to the finish, although not as spectacular as some, is still highly memorable as you head back to pretty much exactly where you started, (perfect for friends and family) at Grant Park, along the shores of Lake Michigan. Once you’ve grabbed your goody bag, medal and your bag head north to Millennium Park and Buckingham Fountain and stretch your legs.

Millennium Park is more than an attraction. The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue, known locally as The Bean, interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and lots of green space. Unveiled in 2005, The Bean is British artist Anish Kapoor’s first outdoor public sculpture in the United States, and one of the largest sculptures of its kind in the world.

Do charities benefit?

190 official charity teams $27.6 million raised by charity runners at the 2022 Chicago Marathon $291 million raised since 2002, the beginning of the Official Charity Program

Our verdict

There isn't quite as much to see in Chicago as there is in New York, but this is still a very memorable event and obviously standards here are incredibly high. If you love a flat course this is one you need to do!

How to register

There is a ballot that is typically different to get a spot through.

Once runners have been notified if they have been successful the alternative options are tour operators (if you're not US based or guaranteed entries from one of the many charity partners.

Race website

https://www.chicagomarathon.com/

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