Running guide
Chicago Marathon course guide: the Grant Park loop and 2027 entry
The Chicago Marathon is a flat loop that starts and finishes in Grant Park and winds through 29 of the city's neighbourhoods. The modern race began in 1977. It is one of the World Marathon Majors and one of the largest marathons in the world by number of finishers.
Chicago Marathon 2027: date, start, entry
The 49th Bank of America Chicago Marathon is on Sunday 10 October 2027. The start line is at Columbus Drive and Jackson Drive in Grant Park, and the race finishes back in the park. Race weekend also includes the Abbott Chicago 5K on a 3.1-mile course downtown.
The application window for guaranteed and non-guaranteed entry ran from 8 to 29 October 2026 and is now closed. Non-guaranteed places go to a drawing. Guaranteed entry was open to time qualifiers and to legacy finishers who have run Chicago five or more times in the last ten years.
Entry fees: US$250 for US residents and US$260 for non-US residents. Charity entry, still open through the official charity programme, costs US$325 for US residents or US$335 for non-US residents, with a minimum of US$2,500 in fundraising.
Official website: www.chicagomarathon.com
Checked on 8 November 2026 against the official race website; confirm details there before you enter.
The course
The first three miles run through downtown, then the route heads north along LaSalle Street. The loop reaches out to the north, west and south of the city before returning to Grant Park.
It is a largely flat, fast course. On our map the line covers about 42.5 km with roughly 62 m of climbing.
What Chicago is known for
Chicago is usually held on the second Sunday in October. Its flat streets have produced marathon world records, and the race has a large charity fundraising programme.
Running it
- With so few hills, pacing is everything: pick a target pace and hold it from the start.
- Keep your own line in the busy early miles rather than weaving round other runners.
- Bring an old layer for the start area that you can leave behind before the gun.
Frame your Chicago finish
The Chicago Marathon is available as a framed 3D map: the real terrain of the city printed in relief, with the course raised in colour. Add your name, date and finish time and we work out your pace. If you ran with a GPS watch, upload your GPX and we print your exact line.
Common questions
When is the Chicago Marathon 2027?
Sunday 10 October 2027. The application window ran from 8 to 29 October 2026 and is closed; charity entry is still available through the official charity programme.
Is the Chicago Marathon flat?
Yes. It is a largely flat, fast course, with about 62 m of climbing on our map.
Where does the Chicago Marathon start and finish?
In Grant Park. The start line is at Columbus Drive and Jackson Drive, and the loop returns to the park for the finish.
How do you get into the Chicago Marathon?
Through a drawing for non-guaranteed entry, guaranteed entry for time qualifiers and legacy finishers, or a charity place with a fundraising minimum.
The maps in this guide
Chicago Marathon Framed 3D map · from KES 4,000 
Berlin Marathon Framed 3D map · from KES 4,000 
Boston Marathon Framed 3D map · from KES 4,000 
New York City Marathon Framed 3D map · from KES 4,000 More guides
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