Chicago Marathon
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Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Chicago. The event is a full marathon covering 26.2-mile distance. Organizers set a course time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes and require all participants to be at least 16 years old on race day; participants aged 16 to 17 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Entry access for 2026 included multiple paths. Guaranteed entries were available through official charity teams and approved tour operators, and other guaranteed paths included time qualification, legacy finisher status, completion of the 2025 Chicago Distance Series, and select cancelled-entry or pregnancy and postpartum provisions. Time qualifiers and the High Performance Program required verifiable marathon finish times from events on or after January 1, 2024, on certified courses; different standards apply by age group and division. The High Performance Program reached its capacity of 150 participants.
The main application window for guaranteed and non-guaranteed entries closed on November 18, 2025. Non-guaranteed entries were selected by a drawing, with applicants notified of entry status in December 2025. Entry fees were listed as $250 for U.S. residents and $260 for non-U.S. residents, with a processing fee applied. Registration rules included nontransferable entries, nonrefundable fees, mandatory packet pick-up at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo with government ID, and adherence to event rules and public health guidelines. The event also highlights a Para Athletics Program for accessibility. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
