Every October, participants from across the country and around the world unite on the streets of Chicago to conquer 26.2 miles and call themselves Bank of America Chicago Marathon finishers.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes more than 50,000 participants on a 26.2-mile tour of 29 of the city’s unique neighborhoods. With a start and finish in Grant Park, this is a race you won’t want to miss!
The 47th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on October 12, 2025. Guaranteed and non-guaranteed applications are now open! This internationally renowned event began accepting applications on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Applications will close four weeks later at 2 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Annually, 1.7 million spectators line the streets cheering on tens of thousands of participants from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating over $547 million in annual economic impact to its host city.
Guaranteed entry applications
Guaranteed entries for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon are available for:
· Time qualifiers
· Legacy athletes
· Charity runners
· International tour programs
· 2024 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series finishers
Access to guaranteed entries is only available during the application window (Tuesday, October 22 to Thursday, November 21, 2024).
All applications are reviewed and verified by the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Upon completion of this process (which can take up to 10 business days), individuals are notified via email of their approval status. If the application is approved, the entry fee is automatically processed. If the application is not approved, the entry is automatically switched to a non-guaranteed entry application and the applicant is entered in the drawing.
Non-guaranteed entry drawing
Those who do not qualify for a guaranteed entry can apply for the non-guaranteed entry drawing. At the conclusion of the application window, names will be selected from the full pool of non-guaranteed entry applications. Applicants will be notified via email of their entry status on Thursday, December 12.
Additional details about the 2025 application are available at chicagomarathon.com/apply.
Record Breaking Year
The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon solidified its reputation as a record-setting event. Following in the footsteps of the late Kelvin Kiptum, who set the world record in Chicago last fall (2:00:35), Ruth Chepngetich relentlessly pushed herself toward the finish, breaking the tape in 2:09:56.
On the men’s side, John Korir (KEN) made a bold statement by running a personal best and the second fastest time in Chicago’s history, 2:02:44. Marcel Hug (SUI) picked up his fifth victory, defending his title in the men’s wheelchair race in 1:25:54. Compatriot Catherine Debrunner (SUI) crushed her 2023 course record in the women’s wheelchair race to prevail over her competition and defend her title in 1:36:12.
For more information about the event
and how to get involved,
go to chicagomarathon.com
