World Marathon Majors · Chicago, United States
Chicago Marathon Chicago
The Chicago Marathon has been run since 1977 and was one of the five founding races of the World Marathon Majors in 2006. Its flat loop has produced seven world records, including the men's 2:00:35 by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 and the women's 2:09:56 by Ruth Chepngetich in 2024.
- Next edition
- October 11, 2026
- Finishers
- 54,0002025
- Course record, men
- 2:00:35Kelvin Kiptum, 2023
- Course record, women
- 2:09:56Ruth Chepngetich, 2024
Course map
The route from start to finish, drawn from the real course track. Numbers match the landmarks below; small dots mark every 5 km.The route from start to finish, drawn from the real course track. Numbers match the landmarks below; small dots mark every 5 mi.
Course profile
Elevation along the course, lightly smoothed. Hover or tap the chart to read any point; numbered markers match the list below.
Loop
- Start
- 183 m
- Finish
- 184 m
- 10 km0 miStart, Columbus Drive in Grant Park
- 28 km5 miLincoln Park (Shamrock Shuffle cheer zone)
- 320.9 km13 miNorth Wacker Drive, Bank of America Tower
- 424.1 km15 miAdams Street and Loomis Street (West Loop)
- 534.1 km21.2 miCermak Road and Archer Avenue (Chinatown)
- 641.8 km26 miMichigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road
- 742.195 km26.219 miFinish, Columbus Drive in Grant Park
What it’s like
A flat, fast loop that starts and finishes in Grant Park and passes through 29 neighbourhoods, north to Lincoln Park and Lakeview, west along Adams Street, then south through Pilsen and Chinatown before returning up Michigan Avenue to a final stretch on Columbus Drive. Elevation data along the route stay between about 176 and 184 m. October weather is usually cool, which has helped fast times, though 2007 was unusually hot at 31°C, and the 2025 race was run in ideal conditions. More than a million spectators line the course each year. The time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes.
How to get in
- Ballot
Non-guaranteed drawing
For the 2027 race (10 October 2027) the free application window runs from 8 October to 29 October 2026, with drawing results emailed on 8 December and payment due by 15 December 2026. The entry fee is $250 for US residents and $260 for non-US residents.
- Guaranteed time
Time qualifier
A marathon finish between 1 January 2025 and 29 October 2026 on a certified course within the age-group standard earns guaranteed entry, from 2:50 for men and 3:20 for women and non-binary runners aged 16-34 to 4:50 and 5:20 for runners aged 80+. Guaranteed entrants must pay by 10 November 2026.
- Charity
Charity program
Runners who commit to raise at least $2,500 for an official charity get a place; charity entries stay available until 10 September 2027 or until capacity is reached.
- Tour operator
International tour operators
Official travel partners sell packages with guaranteed entry, open through 10 August 2027.
- Other
Legacy, Distance Series and deferral
Runners with five or more Chicago Marathon finishes in the last ten years, those who complete all three 2026 Chicago Distance Series events, and entrants who cancelled their 2026 entry under the cancellation policy can claim a 2027 place.
- Elite
High Performance Program
Sub-2:25 men and sub-2:45 women and non-binary runners can apply to the High Performance Program, which closes on 1 September 2027 or at 300 participants.
Registration
Applications open in October, just before race weekend, and last three weeks: for 2027 the window runs from 8 October (8 a.m. CT) to 29 October 2026 (2 p.m. CT), and drawing results are announced on 8 December 2026.
Plan your race
Facts checked against the official race website and the World Marathon Majors on September 28, 2026. Entry rules change every year: always confirm on the official site.