Marathon in the Windy City, one of the races in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, serves as a qualifying event for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships

The marker on the map indicates the city where the race takes place and does not show 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. Approximately 53,000 athletes participate in the marathon race and other competitions (39,272 runners completed the marathon in 2022).

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. The other races in this series are the Tokyo Marathon (東京マラソン), Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW Berlin-Marathon, and TCS New York City Marathon. Finishers of six or five of these marathons can find their names in the Hall of Fame on the series website.

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

The Chicago Marathon 2023 is a qualifying event for the Abbott WMM Wanda Age group World Championship.

Over 900,000 runners have successfully crossed the finish line since the Chicago Marathon’s first edition in 1977.

In 2019, at the Chicago Marathon, Kenyan athlete Brigid Kosgei established a new world record in the women’s category with a time of 2:14:04.

More about Chicago and its attractions you may find here.

Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022

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, covering a distance of 26.2mi/42.195km, starts in three waves at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:35 on 8 October 2023 (Sunday) in Grant Park, at the 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 on 7:30 7 October 2023 (Saturday) from Columbus Avenue in Grant Park.

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

Entry fee: $45.

Course of the 5km race, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022

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A one lap course of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 runs through streets and parks of the Windy City, passing through its 29 neighbourhoods.

The route crosses the Chicago River six times, using the 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 placed at every mile and 5km along the course.

Course of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022

Course map animation, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022

The start and finish of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 are in Grant Park, the largest park in Chicago. The starting point is at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Street. The finish line is located near the start, on Columbus Drive south to Balbo Drive.

Start and finish area, Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2022

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

You can find the official course map of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 here, and the course video is here.

The participants of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 are divided into starting waves and blocks based on their previous race results and anticipated finish time. The assigned starting block is indicated on the bib number.

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

The pacemakers of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 provide the necessary pace to help participants finish within a specific time. The target times for the marathon are as follows: 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, and 5:45 hours.

There are 20 water and nutrition stations positioned along the marathon route. These stations provide runners with water, sports drinks, Gatorade Endurance Formula energy gel, and fruits.

Before the start, you can leave your personal belongings in the designated deposit area near the start line in Grant Park. Your belongings must be packed in a deposit bag provided by the event organizers. The bag should be labeled with a sticker that displays your race number. Both the bag and the sticker are included in your Race Pack, along with your bib number. Participants can retrieve their checked bags after finishing the race by presenting their bib number.

The route of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field (USATF).

The entry fee for the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 is $240, while for USA residents, it is $230.

The entry limit for the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023, as well as for any marathon from the Abbott World Marathon Majors, is significantly lower than the number of applications received. Some runners are eligible for a guaranteed entry, while others apply for a non-guaranteed entry through a lottery system.

You can apply online for a Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 entry through the non-guaranteed entry lottery. A random drawing selects marathon runners from the pool of non-guaranteed applicants after the registration process.

Lottery application deadline: from 10:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) on 18 October to 14:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) on 17 November 2022.

To enter the lottery, no payment is required upfront. However, you must provide credit card information as part of the application process. The entry fee is automatically processed if your application is approved or selected through the drawing.

Only one application per person is accepted.

Lottery applicants get notified of their entry status via email on 8 December 2022.

Fast runners may be eligible for a guaranteed personal race entry for the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 if they submit a result from a previous race completed between 1 January 2021 and 17 November 2022.

Registration period:from 10:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) on 18 October to 14:00 (Chicago time, UTC -6:00) on 17 November 2022.

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 and non-binary:
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) 2023 provides 300 entries to amateur runners who meet specific qualifying standards.

Athletes registered through the American Development Program start after the elite runners and have access to additional amenities, such as a separate changing tent, toilets etc.

Registration period: until 18 November 2022 or until all slots are filled.

Race entry is a component of travel arrangements from an official tour operator of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023. Registration is open through 16 August 2023. More info is here.

Guaranteed race entry is available through the official charity partners of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 , with a minimum donation of $1,250. Registration is open until 14 September 2023. More info is here.

If you have completed the Chicago Marathon five or more times within the last 10 years or if you have finished the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K four or more times since 2008 and have registered for the 2023 Shamrock Shuffle, you are eligible for a guaranteed personal race entry for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2023. The registration period is open until 18 November 2022. More info is here.

You can defer your entry to the 2024 event by completing the process online. Please note that the entry fee for 2023 is non-refundable; however, you receive a guaranteed entry for the next event.

If you are able to provide a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy or postpartum period, you have the option to defer your entry and fee for a maximum of 3 years.

If the event is cancelled by the organizer, participants receive a refund of 5—40% of the entry fee, as well as a discount of 10—50% on a deferred entry for the 2024 event.

Your Marathon Race Entry includes:

• Bib number with a time measuring chip
• Safety pins for attaching your bib number
• Nike Race T-Shirt
• Goody bag
• Goose Island beer coupon
• Bag deposit service
• Food and beverages stations, toilets along the course and after the race
• Athlete tracking through the mobile app
• Pacemaker service
• Music and performance groups throughout the course
• Finisher medal
• Thermal cover
• Changing before and after the race
• Recovery massage on first-come, first-served basis
• Online race results
• Digital race diploma with indicated finish time
• Medical assistance if needed

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

You can collect your Race Pack, along with your bib number, at the Expo of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023 — the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, which is held at McCormick Place, the largest exhibition center in the USA. The address of McCormick Place is 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616.
Pick-up desk schedule:
5 October 2023 (Thursday) from 11:00 to 18:00,
6—7 October 2023 (Friday — Saturday) from 9:00 to 18:00.

You need to personally pick up your Race Pack. To retrieve your Race Pack, please present your photo ID and confirmation email (printed or on the screen).

No health certificate is required to participate in any race of the Chicago Marathon (Bank of America Chicago Marathon) 2023.

* Source: results.chicagomarathon.com

You can check your result and view the results of your friends and companions here.

* The race information is obtained from publicly available sources and the official website of the event. To get the latest updates and ensure accuracy, we recommend visiting the official website. If you notice any mistakes, kindly email us at admin@letsportpeople.com

Prices are for round trip flights 6 October 2023 — 9 October 2023. 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.

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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.

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