Chicago Marathon - Everything you NEED to Know

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Today’s newsletter is written by Letty from Marathon Media. Letty hosts both, the Marathon Running Podcast and LettyRuns YouTube Channel.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is almost here! Whether you’re running, spectating, or following from afar, this event transforms Chicago into the world’s running capital for one weekend in October. Below is your ultimate guide covering history, logistics, elite fields, tips, and more.

👉 If you want to watch the longer, full version of this guide (including details like where to get your hair braided for race weekend), check out our YouTube video.

📖 History & Significance

The Chicago Marathon first took place in 1905, with the modern version launching on September 25, 1977. Since then, it’s grown into one of the World Marathon Majors, drawing over 53,000 runners from 100+ countries and 1.7 million spectators.

Its famously flat course (243 ft total elevation gain) makes it a dream for PRs. In fact, Chicago has seen six world records—including Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 in 2023, the fastest marathon ever run on U.S. soil.

🎟 Expo & Packet Pick-Up

• Packet Pick-Up Ticket: Sent via email on October 1. Bring it (printed or mobile) + a photo ID.

• Location: Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Hall D

• Expo Hours:

  • Thursday, Oct 9 → 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

  • Friday, Oct 10 → 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

  • Saturday, Oct 11 → 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Other weekend highlights:

• 🍝 Official Pasta Dinner → Tickets here

• 🍝 Eataly Chicago Dinner → Tickets here

• 🏃 Abbott Chicago 5K (Sat, Oct 11) → Info here

• 🙌 Volunteer Opportunities → Sign up here (deadline Oct 3)

🌍 Elite Fields 2025

This year’s Chicago Marathon features one of the deepest professional lineups in history, across men’s, women’s, and wheelchair divisions.

🏃 Men’s Elite Field

• John Korir (KEN) – 2:02:44 (Chicago 2024)

• Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) – 2:02:55 (Tokyo 2024)

• Amos Kipruto (KEN) – 2:03:13 (Tokyo 2023)

• Cybrian Kotut (KEN) – 2:03:22 (Berlin 2024)

• Bashir Abdi (BEL) – 2:03:36 (Rotterdam 2021)

• Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 2:03:37 (London 2025)

• Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) – 2:04:01 (Hamburg 2025)

• Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) – 2:04:23 (London 2023)

• Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) – 2:04:39 (Chicago 2024)

• Conner Mantz (USA) – 2:05:08 (Boston 2025)

• Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) – 2:06:04 (Chicago 2024)

• Galen Rupp (USA) – 2:06:07 (Prague 2018)

• Hiroto Inoue (JPN) – 2:06:14 (Tokyo 2025)

• Zouhair Talbi (MAR) – 2:06:39 (Houston 2024)

• Ryan Ford (USA) – 2:08:00 (Boston 2025)

• Rory Linkletter (CAN) – 2:08:01 (Seville 2024)

• CJ Albertson (USA) – 2:08:17 (Chicago 2024)

🏃‍♀️ Women’s Elite Field

• Megertu Alemu (ETH) – 2:16:34 (Seville 2024)

• Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 2:17:00 (Tokyo 2024)

• Irine Cheptai (KEN) – 2:17:51 (Chicago 2024)

• Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) – 2:18:27 (Tokyo 2025)

• Haven Hailu Desse (ETH) – 2:19:17 (Amsterdam 2024)

• Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) – 2:20:22 (Boston 2023)

• Lindsay Flanagan (USA) – 2:23:31 (Chicago 2024)

• Natosha Rogers (USA) – 2:23:51 (Boston 2025)

• Gabi Rooker (USA) – 2:24:29 (Chicago 2024)

• Dakotah Popehn (USA) – 2:24:40 (Chicago 2024)

♿ Wheelchair Men’s Field

• Marcel Hug (SUI) – 1:17:47 (Berlin 2022 WR) | Reigning champion

• Daniel Romanchuk (USA) – 1:21:36 (Boston 2019) | Former Chicago winner

• Aaron Pike (USA) – 1:24:32 (Boston 2022) | Paralympian

• Kota Hokinoue (JPN) – 1:20:54 (Seoul 2017) | Veteran racer

• Simon Lawson (GBR) – 1:25:06 (Berlin 2018) | European contender

♿ Wheelchair Women’s Field

• Catherine Debrunner (SUI) – 1:36:47 (Berlin 2022 WR) | Defending champ

• Tatyana McFadden (USA) – 1:35:05 (Boston 2017) | Multiple-time Chicago winner

• Susannah Scaroni (USA) – 1:27:31 (Boston 2022 WR) | Paralympic champion

• Manuela Schär (SUI) – 1:28:17 (Boston 2017) | Former world record holder

• Madison de Rozario (AUS) – 1:38:11 (London 2022) | Paralympic gold medalist

💰 Fun fact: The 2024 race generated $683M for Chicago’s economy, up 22% from 2023.

🗺 Course & Race Day

• 26.2 miles through 29 neighborhoods → from the Magnificent Mile to Chinatown.

• Start/Finish: Grant Park.

• Wave Start Times:

  • 7:20 a.m. → Wheelchair/handcycle

  • 7:30 a.m. → Wave 1

  • 8:00 a.m. → Wave 2

  • 8:35 a.m. → Wave 3

👀 Spectator Guide

Best spots & cheer zones:

• Early Miles: Grand Ave & State St.

• Cheer Zones: Shamrock Shuffle Zone (8K), Charity Block Party (Mile 15), Bank of America Cheer Zone (near finish).

• Neighborhood Highlights:

  • Northalsted (Miles 7 & 9) → Drag queens & party vibe

  • Pilsen (Mile 19) → Mariachi bands

  • Chinatown (Mile 21) → Lion dancers

📺 How to Watch: NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo, TeleXitos (7–11 a.m. CT broadcast, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. livestream).

📱 Track Runners: Download the Chicago Marathon app.

🚇 Transit Tips: Use the CTA “L”—road closures make driving tough. Key stops: Grand (Miles 1 & 3), Addison (Mile 8.5), Roosevelt (finish line).

🏃 Coach’s Tips for Race Day

• Arrive Early → Security & porta-potties get backed up.

• Dress in Layers → Chicago weather is unpredictable.

• GPS Issues → Expect glitches in early miles + around miles 19–22. Use manual splits.

• Follow the Blue Line → Most efficient tangents.

• Final Challenge → “Mount Roosevelt” (a sneaky incline before the finish).

• Fuel → Aid stations stocked with Gatorade Endurance + Maurten gels.

• 🚫 No hydration packs or selfie sticks allowed.

🔗 Stay Updated

Want details on shakeouts, pop-ups, and other fun weekend happenings?
👉 Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok—we’ll share updates there!

That’s your insider guide! Whether you’re chasing a PR, cheering from the sidelines, or watching live, Chicago delivers an unforgettable marathon experience every year.

👉 Don’t forget: for the full-length video guide with even more details and pro tips (including race-weekend extras like braiding stations), head to our YouTube channel.