Photo: © Bank of America Chicago Marathon▶Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago, United States49th editionAt a glance
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027 takes place on 10 October 2027 in Chicago, United States. Distances: 42.195 km. Start at 07:30 from Ida B. Wells Drive (tra Columbus Drive e Michigan Avenue), Grant Park.
- Date
- Sunday, 10 October 2027
- Location
- Chicago, United States
- Start
- Ida B. Wells Drive (tra Columbus Drive e Michigan Avenue), Grant Park
- Distances
- Marathon · 42.195 km · Competitive
- Start times
- 07:30
- Entry fees
- US$250
- Registration
- Registration open until 29 October 2026 · Register now ↗
- Organiser
- Chicago Event Management ↗
- Official website
- chicagomarathon.com ↗
- Edition
- 49th edition
- Series
- World Marathon Majors
Last updated: 18 October 2026
The race
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon starts and finishes in Grant Park and, over its 42.195 km, runs through 29 of the city's neighbourhoods, from the Loop's skyscrapers to the streets of its historic districts. The course is flat and fast: Kelvin Kiptum ran 2:00:35 here in 2023, the world record at the time. Each year around 1.7 million spectators cheer on 55,000 runners all the way to the final stretch on Columbus Drive.
The 49th edition takes place on 10 October 2027: the drawing application is open until 29 October 2026, and the fee is $250 for US residents and $260 for non-residents.
Videos
Course
The race starts and finishes in Grant Park, between Columbus Drive and Ida B. Wells Drive, and the course is a long loop through 29 neighbourhoods. The opening kilometres run through the skyscrapers of the Loop, then the route heads north through River North, Streeterville and the Near North Side to Lincoln Park, Lake View East, Wrigleyville and Northalsted, reached around mile 8.
The return south passes through Old Town and back into the Loop, where halfway falls; from there the course heads west to the West Loop and Greektown, then Little Italy, the Illinois Medical District and University Village. Between miles 19 and 24 runners cross Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport and Bronzeville before turning north on Michigan Avenue for the final stretch to the finish on Columbus Drive.
The course is flat and fast and has produced seven world records. Timing mats are at every 5K, halfway, miles 20 to 25 and the finish. Runners must hold roughly a 15-minute-mile pace: slower participants are moved to the sidewalk as streets reopen to traffic.
Aid stations along the course
| Km | Water | Sports drink | Medical support | Toilets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At every aid station | yes | yes | yes | yes |
- At every aid stationWater, Sports drink, Medical support, Toilets
Aid stations are roughly 1-2 miles apart; the sports drink is Gatorade Endurance Formula. Medical support at 22 locations: the 20 aid stations, between Mile 14 and Mile 15 and in the final mile. Culligan stations refill bottles and soft flasks: hydration backpacks and bladder vests are not allowed.
Source: chicagomarathon.com ↗Entry fees
- Until 29 October 2026NowResidenti negli Stati Uniti (sorteggio o accesso garantito), più commissione di servizioUS$250
- Until 29 October 2026Non residenti negli Stati Uniti, più commissione di servizioUS$260
- Until 10 September 2027Programma charity, residenti negli Stati Uniti (raccolta minima 2.500 dollari)US$325
- Until 10 September 2027Programma charity, non residenti (raccolta minima 2.500 dollari)US$335
What's included
- Race pack
- Technical shirt
- Finisher medal
- Bag drop
- Aid stations
- Pacers
- Chip timing
- Cronometraggio
- Medical assistance
- Navetta ritirati
- Ristoro finale
Rules and requirements
Applications for the 10 October 2027 race (the 49th) are open from 8 to 29 October 2026, closing at 2 pm Central Time. Runners without a guaranteed entry go into the drawing, which is free and gives no advantage to early applicants: results are emailed on 8 December and selected runners must pay by 15 December. Guaranteed entries cover marathon time qualifiers set between 1 January 2025 and 29 October 2026 on a certified course (men 16-34 2:50, 35-39 2:55, 40-44 3:00, 45-49 3:10, 50-54 3:15; women and non-binary 3:20, 3:25, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50 in the same bands, up to 4:50 and 5:20 for 80 and over), legacy runners with five Chicago finishes in the last ten years, 2026 Chicago Distance Series finishers, the charity programme (minimum $2,500 fundraising, until 10 September 2027) and official tour operators for travellers from abroad.
The fee is $250 for US residents and $260 for non-residents, $325 and $335 for charity entrants, plus a processing fee. Runners must be at least 16 on race day (under-18s are registered by a parent). The time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes.
Fees are non-refundable and bibs cannot be transferred; until 6 October 2027 runners can cancel and receive a guaranteed 2028 entry by paying again, while refundable registration bought at sign-up gives a full refund in covered cases. Packets are collected only in person at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo with government-issued photo ID.
