Maratón Chicago Marathon 2026

The Chicago Marathon begins and ends in Grant Park, guiding approximately 50,000 participants through the city on the second Sunday of October. This 26.2-mile road race is one of the seven World Marathon Majors, attracting elite runners, wheelchair and handcycle athletes, charity participants, club members, and novice marathoners. Admission is restricted, with spots typically secured via a qualifying time, a general lottery, charitable affiliations, legacy recognition, or elite invitations. The course crosses the Loop, North Side, West Side, and South Side, passing through 29 neighborhoods before concluding downtown. Its northernmost point nears Addison Avenue, its westernmost point extends to Damen Avenue, and its southern section reaches 35th Street. Chicago's level terrain has facilitated rapid race times, evidenced by course records of 2:00:35 for men and 2:09:56 for women. The contemporary event originated in the late 1970s as the Mayor Daley Marathon with 4,200 participants; the city also hosted earlier marathons in the early 1900s.