© Bank of America Chicago Marathon
How to register for the Chicago Marathon 2026?
City of the Great Lakes, skyscrapers, and bustling energy, Chicago hosts one of the most legendary marathons in the world every autumn. With an ultra-flat course and breathtaking scenery, the Chicago Marathon has become one of the most prestigious and exciting races on the planet. But before you can set foot on this iconic route, you must… register! Whether it’s through a lottery, qualifying by time, or charity bibs, the path to reaching the starting line at Grant Park can seem winding.
✓ Discover in this article all the ways you can register for the Chicago Marathon.
| Chicago among the greatest
The Chicago Marathon is now one of the greatest, and yet, if we go back to the origins of this marathon, few would have bet on such development. We have to go back to the early 1900s to know the first edition of the race. In 1905, precisely, 15 runners started, and only 7 crossed the finish line. After a few small editions, the event disappeared from the calendar in 1921, until 1977. Fifty years later, the race benefited from the running boom in the United States to come back strong with an edition featuring 4,200 runners that year. The significant arrival of sponsors supported the event’s development, notably by offering attractive prize money.
Today, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors, alongside Berlin, Tokyo, New York, London, Boston, and Sydney. More than 50,000 runners start at Grant Park, on the shore of Lake Michigan. The Chicago Marathon has witnessed historic performances, with current world records set during this prestigious event. The 2023 edition’s winner, the late Kelvin Kiptum, set a new world record in 2:00:35. The following year, Ruth Chepngetich became the first woman to run under 2:10. The Kenyan won the race in 2:09:56.
| The lottery: the most accessible option
Like the major Berlin marathons, Boston or London, the Chicago Marathon almost always requires a lottery to hope for a bib. With over 200,000 applications for fewer than 60,000 spots, the organization implemented this process to manage the massive influx of requests. No matter your level, gender, or nationality, anyone can try their luck by filling the lottery form available on the official website. Registrations typically open at the end of October and the registration period lasts for a month. A few weeks after the closing, participants are informed of the results by email. If selected, you will have a few days to confirm your registration and validate your bib. The lottery remains a simple and open option for everyone, even though it doesn’t guarantee a spot for sure.
| Achieving the time standards
For the faster among you, you can guarantee your bib for the Chicago Marathon through time qualification. It simply involves achieving time standards based on your age category and gender. Anyone can apply for time qualification, as long as the runner meets the qualification conditions. Speaking of conditions, only certified races by USA Track & Field (USATF), World Athletics, or a similar governing association allow for time qualification. The standards must also be achieved within a very specific period. The number of performance bibs is limited, and therefore does not guarantee 100% to be at the starting line of the race. Although this option is not available to everyone, it gives the fastest runners the chance to be part of the Chicago Marathon.
✓ Time standards to achieve based on age and gender
| Age Group | MEN | WOMEN | NON-BINARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16–34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35–39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40–44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45–49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50–54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55–59 | 3:20:00 | 4:00:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60–64 | 3:45:00 | 4:15:00 | 4:15:00 |
| 65–69 | 4:00:00 | 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+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 | 5:20:00 |
| For the loyal ones, the “Legacy Finishers” status
Not all major events do this, but the Chicago Marathon rewards its most loyal runners. Through the Legacy Finishers status, runners who have completed at least five editions of the Chicago Marathon in the last 10 years can obtain an entry ticket for the race. Sure, not everyone gets the status, and this reward has to be earned. Nonetheless, for the big fans of the event, your consistency will be recognized.
For the 2025 edition, the organizer also guarantees a bib to runners who are finishers of the three events of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series 2024 (Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon).
| Support a cause with charity bibs
Similar to the Berlin Marathon, London, New York, or Boston, the Chicago Marathon has set up a charity program to run while supporting a cause. By participating in this program as a runner, you ensure a bib for the race and enable fundraising for a partner charity of your choice. Spaces are limited and for this event, the policy is first come, first served. Depending on the organization supported, you will benefit from various advantages, such as marathon training support or even equipment sponsorship…
To validate your bib, you need to commit to raising a minimum amount of donations, which varies depending on the organizations. Generally, you will need to raise at least $1,500 to secure your bib. Running with a charity bib in the Chicago Marathon gives even more meaning to each kilometer covered by supporting a cause that matters to you.
Our tip: plan your trip well with the agency.
| Participate in the Chicago Marathon through travel agencies
For those who want to reduce pre-race stress and logistics while ensuring a bib for the race, you can turn to travel agencies. As with most major marathons, like the Paris Marathon or the Valencia Marathon, travel agencies affiliated with the Chicago Marathon offer an all-inclusive option that includes a bib, transportation, and accommodation. Some agencies offer even more comprehensive packages that include Chicago tours. Your sports experience then becomes a real journey. However, you’ll need to plan for a budget and especially a ticket. Expect to pay at least €1,500 for a standard package.
| When to register for the Chicago Marathon 2026?
To hope to be at the Chicago Marathon in 2026, you’ll need to go through the famous lottery, with registrations typically opening at the end of October. You then have a month to enter the lottery. Around December 15th, you’ll receive the lottery results. For the lucky ones, you can then proceed with the registration. In 2025, the registration fee for runners entering through the lottery was $255.
For guaranteed entries, especially via travel agencies or charity programs, you will see the first opportunities arise at the beginning of the year. Don’t forget to anticipate your request, as bibs and travel packages are limited.
On October 12, 2025, the city of Chicago will host the 47th edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. For this new edition, over 50,000 runners are expected at the start. You now know all the options available for you to one day take part in one of the greatest marathons.
