The Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, October 11, starting and finishing in Grant Park. As one of the six World Marathon Majors, Chicago is famous for its flat, fast course through 29 city neighborhoods — a route that has produced seven world records and countless personal bests. The 2026 race is set to be the largest in the event’s 48-year history, with organizers confirming a field of more than 55,000 registered runners.
This complete guide covers the 2026 race date, course and route map, entry and lottery odds, start time and runner tracking, and where to store your bags on race day.
Chicago Marathon 2026: Key Details
| Date | Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| Start time | Around 7:30 AM CT, wave starts from Grant Park |
| Start/Finish | Grant Park, Chicago |
| Course | 26.2 miles through 29 Chicago neighborhoods |
| Field size | 55,000+ runners, the largest in race history |
| Men’s course record | 2:00:35 — Kelvin Kiptum (2023), also the world record |
| Women’s course record | 2:09:56 — Ruth Chepngetich (2024), also the world record |
Why Chicago Marathon Is a Major
Chicago is one of the six World Marathon Majors, alongside Boston, London, Berlin, New York and Tokyo. Its flat, largely straight course makes it one of the fastest marathon routes in the world, drawing elite runners chasing personal bests and world records alongside hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators lining the streets. Marcel Hug, the defending men’s wheelchair champion, is aiming for a fifth straight title in 2026.
Chicago Marathon Route and Course Map
The course starts and finishes in Grant Park, looping through 29 Chicago neighborhoods on the North, West and South Sides before returning downtown — including Lincoln Park, Boystown, Wicker Park, Pilsen, Chinatown and Bronzeville. It’s a single loop, largely flat with only minor elevation changes, which is exactly why it produces so many personal bests and record times. The official course map, published closer to race day on the Chicago Marathon website, marks every mile split, aid station and spectator viewing zone.
Popular spectator points along the route include mile marker 7 in Boystown, mile 13 near Greektown, and mile 19 in Pilsen — all known for loud, dense crowds. The finish line back in Grant Park is the busiest spot of all, so arrive early if you’re meeting a runner there.
Chicago Marathon 2026: Entry, Lottery and Qualifying Times
Entry to the Chicago Marathon works through three main paths, all managed via the official Chicago Marathon website:
- General lottery: open entry with typical odds around 25-35%, among the best of the five legacy World Marathon Majors.
- Time qualification (guaranteed entry): 2026 benchmark times are around 2:50:00 for men 16-34 and 3:20:00 for women and non-binary runners 16-34, with adjusted standards for other age groups.
- Legacy finisher and charity entries: guaranteed spots for runners who’ve completed the race five or more times in the last decade, or who fundraise for an official charity partner.
Entry fees are typically around $250 for US residents and $260 for international entrants. Spectating, by contrast, is completely free and doesn’t require a ticket — the best viewing spots along the course fill up early on race morning.
Race Day: Start Time and Tracking Runners
The race starts in waves from around 7:30 AM CT in Grant Park, with elite fields going off first followed by the general field in corrals based on projected finish time. Friends and family who want to follow a runner’s progress can use the official Chicago Marathon tracking app or website, which sends live split updates at multiple checkpoints along the course — useful for timing your spot along the route to catch your runner at the right mile marker.
Getting to Grant Park
Grant Park sits in the heart of downtown Chicago, steps from Millennium Park and the Loop. It’s easily reached via the CTA ‘L’ train (Red, Green, Orange, Brown and Purple lines all stop nearby) or Metra commuter rail into Millennium Station. Road closures are extensive on race day, so public transit is strongly recommended over driving.
Race Day Tips
- Arrive early. Security checks and crowds around Grant Park build up quickly before the 7:30am start.
- Check the bag policy. Runners can use official gear check, but spectators should travel light — bags may be searched at security checkpoints.
- Plan your cheering spots. Popular viewing areas near mile markers 7 (Boystown) and 19 (Pilsen) get packed early.
- Use the tracking app. Follow your runner’s live splits so you know exactly when to expect them at your viewing spot.
- Book accommodation early. Downtown hotels sell out well ahead of race weekend, especially for this record-size 2026 field.
Luggage Storage for Chicago Marathon 2026
Whether you’re flying in for race weekend or checking out of your hotel before heading to the start line, dragging luggage through Grant Park’s crowds and security checkpoints isn’t practical. Radical Storage has verified partner locations across downtown Chicago, so you can drop your bags and get to the course hands-free.
Find a nearby location near Grant Park and head to the marathon without your bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 takes place Sunday, October 11, starting and finishing in Grant Park, with a wave start around 7:30 AM CT.
The men’s record is 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 (also the world record), and the women’s record is 2:09:56, set by Ruth Chepngetich in 2024 (also the world record).
Entry is through the general lottery (roughly 25-35% odds), guaranteed time qualification (around 2:50:00 for men 16-34, 3:20:00 for women/non-binary 16-34), or legacy/charity programs, all managed via the Chicago Marathon website.
Entry fees are typically around $250 for US residents and $260 for international entrants. Spectating is completely free.
The official Chicago Marathon tracking app and website send live split updates at multiple checkpoints along the course, so you can time your spot along the route.
Radical Storage has partner locations across downtown Chicago near Grant Park, ideal for runners and spectators who want to travel light on race day.
