Chicago Marathon
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Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026, as the event's 48th running in Chicago. The race is a full marathon covering 26.2 miles and is organized with multiple entry paths and participant requirements.
Entries for 2026 were limited and remained available through the official Charity Program and the Tour Operator Program. Charity entries are offered on a first come, first served basis with a minimum fundraising requirement of $2,200 USD and are managed by each charity. Tour operators may offer travel packages that typically include entry, air travel and hotel accommodations; not all countries have approved tour operators.
The event provides several guaranteed entry routes, including time qualifying standards based on age and division, a legacy finisher pathway for those with five or more Chicago Marathon finishes in the previous ten years under specified rules, completion of the Chicago Distance Series, and the High Performance Program. Qualification records must come from marathons run on or after January 1, 2024, on certified courses. A non guaranteed entry drawing was used for additional places and duplicate applications were removed prior to selection.
Registration terms include an entry fee of $250 USD for U.S. residents and $260 USD for non U.S. residents, plus a processing fee; applicants must provide a credit card with an expiration date of December 2025 or later. Event requirements state participants must be at least 16 years old, participants aged 16 to 17 need parental permission, runners must be able to complete 26.2 miles within 6 hours 30 minutes and 59 seconds, entry transfers are prohibited, registration fees are nonrefundable, and each participant must pick up their own packet at the Abbott Health and Fitness Expo with a government issued photo ID matching their registration name. The event also offers a Para Athletics Program and enforces event rules and public health guidelines. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
