How to run the Chicago Marathon: entry, training timeline and race weekend

1. Oct 8 to 29, 2026Application window Drawing, time qualifier and legacy entries.Closed
2. Nov 10, 2026Guaranteed entrants pay Time qualifiers and other guaranteed entrants pay by this date.Coming up
3. Dec 8, 2026Drawing results Tour operator entries also open on this date.Coming up
4. Dec 15, 2026Drawing entrants payComing up
5. Until Sep 10, 2027Charity entries $325 US / $335 non-US with a $2,500 minimum fundraising commitment.Open now
6. Oct 10, 2027Race dayComing up

Need a qualifying time? See the full table on our Chicago Majors page.

We only list prices the race publishes. Flight and hotel prices swing too much to quote here.

1. Tue Nov 10, 2026Nov 10, 2026Guaranteed entrants pay Time qualifiers and other guaranteed entrants pay by this date.In 3 days
2. Tue Dec 8, 2026Dec 8, 2026Drawing results Drawing entrants pay by December 15. Tour operator entries open the same day.In 31 days
3. Sun Jun 6, 202718 weeks outDay one of an 18-week plan Eighteen weeks is the length of the official Chicago Marathon training plan with Nike. Pick a plan that fits the running you already do.In 211 days
4. Sun Jun 27, 202715 weeks outBook travel and a place to stay Lock in flights and lodging before race-week prices and availability get tight. Use the race’s official travel or housing partner if it has one.In 232 days
5. Sun Aug 1, 202710 weeks outPick a tune-up race A half marathon in the middle of your plan is a good check on your goal pace. Races Near lists halves near you.In 267 days
6. Sun Aug 29, 20276 weeks outDress rehearsal long run Run a long run in race-day kit and practice with what the course hands out: Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime) and water.In 295 days
7. Sun Sep 19, 20273 weeks outTaper starts Follow your plan as it cuts back over the final weeks. Do not try to catch up on missed long runs now.In 316 days
8. Sun Oct 3, 20271 week outRace week Read the official participant guide, confirm your bib pickup slot and plan your route to the start.In 330 days
9. Thu Oct 7, 2027Thu, Oct 7Expo opens McCormick Place, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring your Packet Pick-up email and photo ID.In 334 days
10. Sun Oct 10, 2027Race dayRace day Go get it.In 337 days

This is our suggested calendar, not a training plan. Use it to line up your plan of choice with the race's own dates. Running a different goal race? Try the pace calculator for your splits.

1. Start to 5K

   Grant Park and the Loop

   You start in Grant Park by wave and corral. Digital clocks every 5K and signs at every mile and kilometer help you check your pace.

2. 5K to halfway

   North to Lincoln Park and back

   The Shamrock Shuffle Cheer Zone in Lincoln Park is at 8K. A Bank of America Cheer Zone is at Mile 13 on North Wacker, and halfway has the Chicago 13.1 Cheer Zone.

3. Halfway to Mile 20

   Adams and Loomis to Mile 20

   The Charity Block Party is near Mile 15 at Adams and Loomis. Extra medical tents sit between Miles 14 and 15.

4. Mile 20 to finish

   The final 10K

   Timing mats every mile from 20 to 25, so your supporters see every split. The Mile 26 cheer zone is at Michigan and Roosevelt, just before the Grant Park finish.

Course records: 2:00:35 (Kelvin Kiptum, 2023) and 2:09:56 (Ruth Chepngetich, 2024).

From the official runners page.

• Expo and packet pickup

  • Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, McCormick Place.
  • Thu Oct 7, 2027: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri Oct 8 and Sat Oct 9: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • In person only, with your Packet Pick-up email and photo ID. No race-day pickup, no mailing and no proxies.
  • You get your bib, MYLAPS ThinTag, gear check tag, Nike shirt and participant bag (plus a beer tag if you are 21 or over).

• Gear check

  • In Grant Park, by bib color (red, blue, orange). Clear event bag only.
  • Leave throwaway clothes in the marked collection zones.

• On the course

  • 20 aid stations, 1 to 2 miles apart, each with Gatorade Endurance and water.
  • Culligan water refill stations for your own bottle or soft flask.
  • Vests with front pockets are fine; backpacks and hydration bladders are not.
  • 22 medical locations.

• Race weekend extras

  • Abbott Chicago 5K on Saturday October 9 at 7:30 a.m.
  • The free official app, powered by TCS, has live tracking (2027 version coming).

• There is no spectator access to the start and finish in Grant Park before 9:30 a.m. Take the CTA trains, which the race recommends.
• Cheer zones: Lincoln Park (8K), North Wacker (Mile 13), the halfway point, Adams and Loomis (near Mile 15) and Michigan and Roosevelt (Mile 26).
• Meet your runner in the Runner Reunite area in Grant Park.
• Timing mats every 5K and every mile from 20 to 25 feed the app, so you can time your next spot.