How to Enter the The Bank of America Chicago Marathon ?
© Bank of America Chicago MarathonThe city of the Great Lakes, skyscrapers and electric energy, Chicago hosts one of the world's most iconic marathons every autumn. With a fast, spectacular course, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has become one of the most prestigious and exciting races on the planet. But before you can run that legendary route, you'll need to get in. The drawing, time qualification and charity entries are among the options, but securing a place on the start line in Grant Park can be a winding journey.
✓ This article covers every option available for entering the Chicago Marathon.
Chicago among the greats
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is now established as one of the biggest marathons in the world. Yet if you go back to the race's origins, few people would have bet on such growth. You have to go back to the early 1900s for the first edition. In 1905, precisely, 15 runners started and only seven crossed the finish line. After a few small editions, the event disappeared from the calendar in 1921, returning only in 1977. Fifty years later, the race capitalized on the running boom in the United States and came back in force, with 4,200 runners taking part that year. The arrival of major sponsors helped drive the event's growth, including through substantial prize money.
Today, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors, alongside Berlin, Tokyo, New York, London, Boston, Sydney and Cape Town. More than 50,000 runners start from Grant Park every year, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The Chicago Marathon has hosted historic performances, including the legendary 2:00:35 run by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 and Ruth Chepngetich's women's world record of 2:09:56 the following year.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon: key facts
Edition: 2027 Chicago Marathon (49th edition)
Race date: October 10, 2027
Number of participants: 55,000
Distance: 42.195 km
Label: World Athletics Platinum
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© Bank of America Chicago MarathonThe drawing: the most accessible option
As with the major Berlin marathons, Boston and London marathons, entering the Chicago Marathon almost always means going through the drawing for a chance to secure a bib. With more than 200,000 applications for fewer than 60,000 places, the organizers introduced this process to manage the huge demand. Regardless of your ability, gender or nationality, anyone can try their luck by completing the drawing form on the official website. For the 49th edition, taking place on October 10, 2027, entries open on October 8 at 8 a.m. local time and close on October 29 at 2 p.m. local time. Participants will be notified of the results by email on December 8. If selected, you will have a few days to confirm your entry by completing payment. The drawing is a straightforward option open to everyone, although it cannot guarantee you a place.
Drawing: key facts
Entry window: October 8–29
Results: December 8
Price: $250 for U.S. residents, $260 for international runners
Meet the qualifying standards
Faster runners can guarantee a place in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon by meeting the time-qualifying standard. These are simply qualifying times based on age group and gender. Anyone can apply through the time-qualifier route, provided they meet the requirements. The application window is the same as the drawing: October 8–29. Only races certified by USA Track & Field (USATF), World Athletics or a similar governing body qualify. The times must also be run within a specific period: between January 1, 2025 and October 29, 2026. This option is not open to everyone, but it gives the fastest runners a route to the Chicago Marathon start line.
✓ Marathon qualifying standards by age and gender
Age group | MEN | WOMEN | NON-BINARY |
|---|---|---|---|
16–34 | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 | 3:20:00 |
35–39 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 | 3:25:00 |
40–44 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 | 3:30:00 |
45–49 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 | 3:40:00 |
50–54 | 3:15:00 | 3:50:00 | 3:50:00 |
55–59 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 | 3:55:00 |
60–64 | 3:40:00 | 4:15:00 | 4:15:00 |
65–69 | 3:55:00 | 4:30:00 | 4:30:00 |
70–74 | 4:15:00 | 4:45:00 | 4:45:00 |
75–79 | 4:30:00 | 5:00:00 | 5:00:00 |
80 and over | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 | 5:20:00 |
Time qualification: key facts
Entry dates: October 8–29
Results: December 8
Qualifying times run between January 1, 2025 and October 29, 2026
Races certified by World Athletics, USATF or another official governing body
Times accepted only for the marathon (not a half marathon or other distances)
The qualifying times are based on your age on race day at the 2027 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Price: $250 for U.S. residents, $260 for international runners
For even faster runners: the High Performance Program
Since 2023, the Chicago Marathon has offered a new entry route for its fastest runners, those who could be considered sub-elite athletes. The High Performance Program offers several significant benefits for amateurs targeting high-level performance:
Guaranteed bib (from a pool of 300 available bibs, first come, first served)
Discounted entry fee
Access to a dedicated pre-race area with a heated tent
Dedicated warm-up area
Dedicated, easily accessible toilets
An early start just behind the professional athletes
Entries open: October 8 at 8 a.m. local time
Entries close: October 29 at 2 p.m. local time
Results: December 8
You must run faster than the standards below to enter the High Performance Program:
Category | TIME |
|---|---|
Men | 2:25:00 |
Women | 2:45:00 |
Non-binary | 2:45:00 |
Masters men | 2:35:00 |
Masters women | 2:50:00 |
Masters non-binary | 2:50:00 |
For the loyal runners: Legacy Finishers status
Not every major event offers this, but the Bank of America Chicago Marathon rewards its most loyal runners. Through Legacy Finishers status, runners who have completed at least five editions of the Chicago Marathon in the last 10 years can obtain an entry to the race. The status is not handed out freely, and it has to be earned. For the event's biggest fans, though, that consistency comes with a reward.
Bank of America Chicago Distance Series 2027
For the 2027 edition, the organizers will also guarantee a bib to runners who finish all three events in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series: the 8K, half marathon and marathon (Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon). Runners eligible for this status will be contacted directly by email on Tuesday, October 13. All entry instructions will be provided in that message.
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© Bank of America Chicago MarathonSupport a cause with a charity bib
Like the Berlin Marathon, London, New York and Boston marathons, the Chicago Marathon runs a charity program that lets you race while supporting a cause. By joining the program, you secure a race bib and raise donations for a partner charity of your choice. Places are limited and, for this event, the policy is first come, first served. Depending on the organization you support, you may receive benefits such as marathon training support or a package of equipment.
To validate your bib, you must commit to raising a minimum amount in donations, which varies by organization. In most cases, you will need to raise at least $1,500 to validate your bib. Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a charity bib gives every mile extra meaning as you support a cause close to your heart. The list of partner charities is available on the marathon's official website.
Our advice: plan your trip with the agency well in advance.
Run the Chicago Marathon through a travel agency
If you want to reduce pre-race stress and spend less time dealing with logistics while securing a race bib, you can use a travel agency. As with most major marathons, including the Paris Marathon and Valencia Marathon, travel agencies affiliated with the Chicago Marathon offer an all-inclusive option covering your bib, transport and accommodation. Some providers sell even more comprehensive packages that include sightseeing in Chicago. Your race experience becomes a genuine trip. This convenience comes at a price, however, so make sure you budget accordingly. Expect to pay at least €1,500 for a standard package.
When can you enter the 2027 Chicago Marathon?
The entry period for the 2027 Chicago Marathon
The key dates to remember are:
For guaranteed entries, particularly through travel agencies and charity programs, the first opportunities will appear toward the end of 2026. Don't leave your application until the last minute, as bibs and travel packages are limited.
On October 10, 2027, Chicago will host the 49th edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Nearly 55,000 runners are expected on the start line for the next edition. You now know every option available for one day lining up at one of the world's greatest marathons.
