Bank of America Chicago Marathon


Chicago, IL, USA	October 11, 2026	Registration not yet open

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon held every October in Chicago, Illinois, the USA is one of the largest annual marathons. It is a world Athletics Label Road race and one of the six World Marathon Majors. With its mostly flat course, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon aids fast marathon timings leading to lots of PBs and even world records.

Under the present series, the first Chicago marathon was held on September 25, 1977, and was called the Mayor Daley Marathon. The race has been held every year with the exception of 1987 (only a half-marathon was held) and 2020 (Covid-19 pandemic). Since 2008, the race has been owned and organized by Bank of America and is officially known as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

The race is limited to 45,000 runners and those wishing to participate can register after either meeting a time qualifying standard or being selected through a general lottery. Other methods like charity options are also available.

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Race Categories, Dates, Registration, Eligibility & Fees

	Marathon	Chicago 5K
Distance	42.2km	5km
Race Date	October 11, 2026	October 10, 2026
Start Time *	7:20 am onwards^	7:30 am
Eligibility Criterion /*	16 years & above	8 years & above
*Fees U.S. Residents / ^^**	$245	$45
*Fees- Non U.S. Residents /^^**	$255	$45
Registration^^^	Registration closed (for Draw of lots) Registration closed (for Charity/ International Tour group)	Registration closed
Expo Details *	The Expo Venue for 2025 event was at McCormick Place Convention Centre 2301, S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL

*Details of Eligibility, Registration fees, Race Start time, Expo details, etc. for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 have not yet been released. Above are details from the 2025 race event for reference
** Applicants who are below 18 years old need to have permission from a parent/legal guardian to participate in the race.
^ Different race start timings as per category.
^^ A small processing fees is applicable.
^^^ There are multiple ways to enter/apply for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Please check here for more details.

Non-guaranteed application: Slots allocated through a drawing
Guaranteed application

Time Qualifier
Legacy Finisher
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Legacy
American Development Program
Para Athletics Program
International Tour Group

Route/Course Map

Information about the course maps & other details for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 is not yet available but below are details from the 2025 edition.

	Marathon	5K
Course Map	FM 2025 Course Map	5K 2025 Course Map
Other Maps	Start & Finish Map	Start & Finish Map

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon route is an OUT & BACK course with the below-mentioned Start and Finish points:

Start Point	Finish Point
Grant Park	Grant Park

Prize Money

Information about the prizes/ awards for the Bank of America Chicago 2026 is not yet available but below are details from the 2025 edition.

	1st Prize	2nd Prize	3rd Prize	4th Prize	5th Prize	6th Prize
Open division	$100,000	$75,000	$50,000	$30,000	$25,000	—
American Development Bonuses	$15,000	$12,000	$10,000	$7,000	$5,000	—
Wheelchair Division	$40,000	$30,000	$20,000	$15,000	$10,000	$5,000
Wheelchair T51/ T52 Division	$1,500	$1,000	$500	—	—	—

Other than above, the following time bonuses are also awarded in the bank of America Chicago Marathon.

	Bonus
Open division (men/ women) and Wheelchair Division (men/ women) – Course Record Bonuses	$50,000
Master Division Bonus	$2,000

Points to Note for Prize Purse

Awards are equal for Male and Female participants.
The top finishers for each of the age divisions below receive a personalized engraved finisher medal.
Age group medals will be mailed to the winners (following the official verification).

2025 and Earlier Edition Results

Results

Photos

Check Photos for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Important Points

Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferrable (unless applied for the “refundable” option during the time of registration by paying extra fees).
At the expo, the participants need to present their packet pick-up email along with a photo ID to receive their participant packet and participant bag.
Only self-pick-up is allowed. No other person can be authorized to pick up the participant packet on behalf of the runner.
Runners would be released in waves.
A free mobile app is available to aid both runners & spectators.
Pacers are available
There are multiple aid stations located along the course. Each aid station has Medical Tent with access to a Runner Transport vehicle*, Toilet facilities, Gatorade Endurance Formula, a Public address announcer, and water. Energy Gels and bananas will be available in limited aid stations.
Time limit applicable on the course for after which the course is thrown open to normal traffic.
- Full Marathon –6 hrs 30 min
- 5K- 45 min

For further information, participants can check the Bank of America Chicago Marathon FAQs.

Contact Information
Email (FM): office@chicagomarathon.com.
Email (5K): office@chicago5K.com
Mailing address: Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Bank of America, IL4-110-05-04, 110 N. Wacker Drive, Floor 5 – Marathon Suite, Chicago, IL 60606-1511
Website: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoMarathon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chimarathon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChiMarathon

Bank of America Chicago Marathon – 2026 Registration & 2025 Results

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