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Chicago Marathon

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Event information

Chicago Marathon

Oct 11, 2026

4.8

Where

Chicago, IL, United States

Start time

07:30

Distances

Marathon

Surface

Gravel

Sub-events

26.2

Marathon

October 11, 2026 Sunday

Distance: Marathon·Start time: 07:30

Point to pointMostly FlatMarathonRun/WalkGravel

Race Results

Top 3

Top 3 Women

Top 3 Men

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Race Details

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Training Plan

Free 20 week Basic Marathon Training Plan

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Reviews

4.8

Based on 4 Reviews from other runners - tap or click to see all!

By: Gordon Celender

Posted: January 05, 2025

One of the best marathons in the world

I've run this marathon twice (2021 and 2024) and as a virtual race in 2020. After Boston, it's probably my favorite marathon. Sadly I lost my bib early on race morning (2021) so I had to get a replacement bib. It was quite an ordeal, but staff issued me a new bib. The crowd support is amazing all along the route.<Š

4.7

By: gary lok

Posted: November 21, 2022

Great organization and experience

Great weather and course. However, a little disappointed we didn't run by Wrigley Field nor Guaranteed Rate Field being a baseball guy.

5.0

By: KN T.

Posted: October 12, 2022

City of the Big Shoulders and a Big Heart

A Chicagoan, I ran this race for the 16th time. It is huge. The only organizational flaw was that there was no signage to guide runners from the parking lot to the expo for packet pickup. Volunteers and staff did a great job getting 40K+ runners to where they should be on race day. Aid stations were plentiful (22 of them). Fans lined the entire course (the Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen had the most color, music, and enthusiasm). There were plenty of distance markers and clocks on the very flat course. Start and finish areas were well organized with toilets and refreshments. Bravo, Chicago, my kind of town.

5.0

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Training Tips

The Hidden Injury You’re Ignoring: Why IT Band Syndrome Derails Marathoners and How to Stop It You’ve logged the miles, built your base, and finally feel like a real marathoner — until a sharp, burning sensation flares up on the outside of your knee, and...

Jun 1, 2026

Fueling the Long Run: A Race-Tested Nutrition Plan for Miles 1–26.2 Running a marathon is a 26.2-mile test of endurance, determination, and — often underestimated — nutrition strategy. No matter how well your legs are trained,...

May 25, 2026

Running Through the Wall: Mental Strategies for Miles 18–26 There’s a moment in nearly every marathon — somewhere between mile 18 and 22 — when your legs stop listening and your mind starts negotiating. The crowd thins....

May 18, 2026

See all training articles

The Chicago Marathon gains just 187 feet total. See the elevation data, course profile, and mile-by-mile race strategy that prevents the Chicago bonk. The post Is the Chicago Marathon Flat? Elevation, Course Profile and Race Strategy first appeared on Runners Connect .

General News Runners Connect

May 30, 2026