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Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
- Race Date: 10/11/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Description
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon starts and finishes in Grant Park, sending runners on a flat, fast loop through 29 of the city’s neighborhoods, from Boystown and Wicker Park to Chinatown and Pilsen. With barely 200 feet of elevation change over 26.2 miles, it’s one of the flattest courses among the Abbott World Marathon Majors and a longtime favorite for chasing personal bests and Boston qualifying times. In 2025 it drew a record 54,000-plus finishers, and Conner Mantz set a new American record on the course, cementing Chicago’s reputation as one of the fastest marathons in the world.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Bank of America Chicago Marathon Additional Details:
Aid stations start at mile 2 and show up almost every single mile after that, alternating sides of the road so runners never have to cross traffic to reach water and Gatorade. Maurten Gel 100 is available on course at three specific points for runners who want a caffeine boost late in the race. Finishers can personalize their medal with an iTab plate engraved with their name and official time, mailed out after the race rather than handed over on the spot. The medal itself is designed each year around Chicago’s skyline and star motif, tying the keepsake directly to the city rather than using a generic design. With aid this dense, dehydration is rarely what slows runners down here.
Course Information
Profile: Very Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hr 30 min
# of Finishers
Marathon: 50,000 to 55,000
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 210 ft
Elevation Loss: 160 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 50°F
- High: 67°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Full Marathon Training Plan
Structured plans for every experience level, from your first 26.2 to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Chicago, IL, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Sports & Entertainment
Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
Ride the Centennial Wheel or catch the fireworks at Navy Pier, the Midwest’s most-visited destination — a relaxed, seated way to spend an evening on the lake.
Museums & History
Field Museum
Explore ancient Egypt and dinosaur fossils at the Field Museum, part of the lakefront Museum Campus — an easy, air-conditioned, low-impact stop for recovering legs.
Outdoors & Trails
Lakefront Trail
Run or walk a flat stretch of the Lakefront Trail with Lake Michigan on one side and green parks on the other — an easy, scenic option for tired legs.
Shopping
The Magnificent Mile
Browse department stores, luxury boutiques, and only-in-Chicago shops along the Magnificent Mile, the city’s iconic downtown shopping strip — an easy, flat, walkable stroll after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Navy Pier Dining
Grab deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s or a burger at Billy Goat Tavern among Navy Pier’s many dining options — a relaxed way to refuel after race day.
Landmark
Cloud Gate (The Bean)
Snap a photo beneath Cloud Gate, known as ‘The Bean,’ one of Chicago’s most recognizable landmarks in Millennium Park — an easy, flat stop downtown after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Chicago Riverwalk
Stroll the award-winning Chicago Riverwalk, a scenic waterfront promenade winding through the heart of downtown — a flat, easy way to spend a rest day after race weekend.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Shedd Aquarium
See beluga whales and thousands of aquatic species at the Shedd Aquarium, part of the lakefront Museum Campus — an easy, indoor, low-impact outing for tired legs.
Arts & Culture
Art Institute of Chicago
See one of the country’s oldest and largest art collections at the Art Institute of Chicago — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper or recovery day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
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