Marathon in the Windy City, one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors race series, a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label Race

The marker on the map indicates the city in which the race takes place and does not display the exact start or finish location.

The Chicago Marathon is an annual long-distance running event held in Chicago, state of Illinois, USA. The official name of the event is Bank of America Chicago Marathon. About 53.000 athletes take part in marathon race and other competitions (26.062 runners completed marathon in 2021).

The Chicago Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world along with Tokyo Marathon (東京マラソン), Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW Berlin-Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. Finishers of 6 or 5 of these marathons can find their names on the series website in the Hall of Fame.

The Chicago Marathon is recognized as an Elite Platinum Label event by World Athletics.

The Chicago Marathon 2022 is a qualifying event for the Abbott WMM Wanda Age group World Championship.

In 2019 at the Chicago Marathon, Kenyan Brigid Kosgei set a new marathon world record in women’s category — 2:14:04.

In 2020 the Chicago Marathon was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

More about Chicago and its attractions you may find here.

Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021

Brigid Kosgei sets a new marathon world record in women’s category, 2019

Marathon race, 26.2mi/42.195km (Bank of America Chicago Marathon)

The marathon race of 26.2mi/42.195km starts in three waves at 7:30, 8:00 and at 8:35 9 October 2022 (Sunday) in Grant Park, intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Street.

Age limit: at least 16 years old on race day.

3.1mi/5km Race (Abbott Chicago 5K)

The 3.1mi/5km race starts at 7:30 8 October 2022 (Saturday) from Columbus Avenue in Grant Park.

Age limit: at least 8 years old on race day.

Entry fee: $35.

Course of the 5km race, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021

Show more events and activities

A one lap course of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021 tracks through streets and parks of the Windy City, through its 29 neighbourhoods.

The route traverses the Chicago River six times — over William P. Fahey Bridge, Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge, Marshall Suloway Bridge (aka La Salle Street Bridge), Wells Street Bridge, Monroe Street Bridge and Cermak Road Bridge.

Mile and kilometer markers are positioned at each mile and 5km of the course.

Course of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021

Course map animation with elevation profile, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2019

Start and finish of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021 is in the largest park of Chicago — Grant Park. The start is at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Street. The finish is located close to the start — on Columbus Drive south to Balbo Drive.

Start and finish area, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2019

Time-lapse of the start, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2019

You may find the official course map of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021 here, course video is here.

The Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021 participants are divided into starting waves and blocks according to the results of the previous races and their anticipated finish time. The starting block is indicated on the bib number.

The time limit for completing the marathon is 6 hours 30 minutes.

The pace makers of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021 provide the necessary pace in order to finish within a certain time. Target times for marathon are 3:00, 3:05, 3:10, 3:15, 3:20, 3:25, 3:30, 3:35, 3:40, 3:45, 3:50, 3:55, 4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45 hours.

20 water and nutrition stations are located along the marathon route. The stations provide runners with water, sports drink, Gatorade Endurance Formula energy gel, fruit.

Before the start you may leave your personal belongings in the deposit area near the start in Grant Park. The stuff must be packed in an event-issued deposit bag. The bag is to be marked with the sticker that has your race number on it. The bag and the sticker are included in your Race Pack along with your bib number. Participants may retrieve their checked bags after the finish till 16:00 10 October 2021 (Sunday) by showing their bib number. Till 20:00 you may pick up your bag in Harrison Information Tent on the east side of Michigan Avenue at Harrison Street.

The route of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2021 is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

The entry fee for the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022 is $240, for USA residents — $230.

Entry limit of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022, as well as of any marathon from the Abbot World Marathon Majors, is much less than the number of applications. Some runners are eligible for a guaranteed entry, others apply for a non-guaranteed entry (lottery).

You may apply online for a Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022 entry through the non-guaranteed entry lottery. Random drawing selects marathon runners after registration of non-guaranteed applicants.

Lottery application deadline: from 10:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 19 October till 14:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 30 November 2021.

You pay nothing to enter the lottery. You must provide credit card information as a part of the application process. The entry fee is processed automatically when your application is approved or selected through the drawing.

Only one application per person is accepted.

Lottery applicants get notified via email of their entry status 9 December 2021.

Fast runners may get a guaranteed personal race entry for the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022 if they submit a result of the previous race run after 1 January 2019.

Registration period: from 10:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 26 October till 14:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 30 November 2021.

Qualification times for men:
age 16—29 — under 3:05
age 30—39 — under 3:10
age 40—49 — under 3:20
age 50—59 — under 3:35
age 60—69 — under 4:00
age 70—79 — under 4:30
age 80+ — 5:25

Qualification times for women:
age 16–29 — under 3:35
age 30–39 — under 3:40
age 40–49 — under 3:50
age 50–59 — under 4:20
age 60–69 — under 5:00
age 70–79 — under 5:55
age 80+ — under 6:10

More info is here.

Through the American Development Program, the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022 provides 300 entries to amateur runners who perform certain qualifying standards.

Athletes registered through the American Development Program start after the elite runners and use additional amenities (separate changing tent, toilets, etc.).

Registration period: from 10:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 26 October 2021 till 1 September 2022 or till the slots last.

Race entry is a component of travel arrangements from an official tour operator of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022. Registration is open through 16 August 2022. More info is here.

Guaranteed race entry is available through official charity partners of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022, donation is from $1.250. Registration is open through 14 September 2022. More info is here.

If you have finished the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) five or more times within the last 10 years or if you have completed the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K four or more times since 2008 and have signed up for the 2022 Shamrock Shuffle, you may receive a guaranteed personal race entry for the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022.

Registration period: from 10:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 26 October till 14:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) 30 November 2021. More info is here.

You may defer your entry to 2023 online. The entry fee 2022 is non-refundable, you get a guaranteed entry for the next event. More info is here.

If the event is cancelled by Organizer participants receive 5—40% entry fee refund and 10—50% discount on a deferred entry for the 2023 event.

Your Marathon Race Entry includes:

• Bib number with time measuring chip
• Safety pins to attach your bib number
• Race T-Shirt Nike
• Goody bag
• After party ticket
• Bag deposit
• Food and beverages stations, toilets along the course and after the race
• Athlete tracking through the mobile app
• Pace maker service
• Music and performance groups along the course
• Finisher medal
• Thermal cover
• Changing facilities
• Recovery massage on first-come, first-served basis
• Online race results
• Digital race diploma with indicated finish time
• Medical aid if necessary

You may order at extra charge refundable booking (14% of all items purchased, excluding event processing fees), other goods and offers.

You may pick up the Race Pack with your bib number at the Expo of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022 — Abbott Health & Fitness Expo in Hall B, North Building of McCormick Place, the USA largest exhibition center. Address of McCormick Place: 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616.
Pick-up desks schedule:
7 October 2022 (Friday) from 9:00 till 20:00,
8 October 2022 (Saturday) from 9:00 till 18:00.

You need to pick-up your Race Pack in person. To get your Race Pack you should show your ID with photo and your confirmation letter (printed or on the screen).

No health certificate is required to enter any race of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022.

* Source: results.chicagomarathon.com

Find your result and the results of your friends and companions here.

* The race information is from publicly available sources and the official website of the event. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date information. If you see any mistake, please write to admin@letsportpeople.com.

Prices are for round trip flights 7 October 2022 — 10 October 2022. Price information is automatically renewed. You may check flight prices for other dates here or use the search form in the right upper column (desktop).

If over the past 6 years your flight within European Union, Turkey or to these countries was delayed for more than 3 hours or cancelled, if you missed a connection flight because of delay, if you were denied boarding because of overbooking you are eligible for compensation of 125—600 € according to European Commission Regulation 261/2004 and Turkish Regulation On Air Passenger Rights. You may check your case for free here, it takes 2 minutes. No fee is charged until the compensation is paid.

Race participants are fully responsible for their life, health and any consequence that may result from running a distance. Keep in mind that ordinary health insurance does not cover participation in sport events. Special sport insurance is preferable.

Find a hotel via online service that compares the most popular booking websites to get the best deal for your dates.

Have a look at what locals offer for a short-term rent. Such option may be cheaper, more comfortable and with better location than a hotel. You may book a room, an apartment or a house via airbnb.

Hotels in Chicago:

M — Marathon, 42.195 km
H — Half Marathon, 21.097 km

The headline image is taken from pixabay.com in accordance with Pixabay License. The image may not illustrate any part of the event course.

To get recent renewals of the site follow us at Facebook, Telegram or Twitter

Support Letsportpeople via PayPal: