The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known globally for its fast, flat course starting and finishing in Grant Park on Columbus Drive, near Buckingham Fountain. The course covers the North, West and South Sides of the city, travelling through 29 historic and diverse neighbourhoods. There are no significant hills on the course; the highest elevation area is 7.3 metres.
 
Elite athletes and amateurs alike annually target the race for its potential to generate personal, national and world records.
 
In addition to its speed, the course itself offers all runners a scenic tour of Chicago as it weaves through dozens of landmarks. In running The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, you are guaranteed to see all that is great about the City of Chicago.

ENTRY FEES

Race Entry must be purchased in conjunction with accommodation and/or flights.  Please contact us for details

QUALIFYING TIMES

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon does not require a qualifying time, however the course closes after 6 hours and 30 minutes. Seeded Coral Starts are available for qualified participants.

START TIME

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon starts at 7.30am from Grant Park, Chicago.

CUT-OFF TIMES

Runner must be able to complete the run in 6 hours and 30 minutes after the official start. The Finish Area facilities officially close at 2pm.

RACE TIMING

Race timing will be provided using the ChampionChip timing method.

RACE PACKETS

All participants are required to pick up their marathon packet during The Bank of America Health & Fitness Expo. You will require your Confirmation Ticket or Confirmation E-mail and your photo ID when picking up your race packet.
 
Please refer to Expo paragraph below for the address and opening hours.
 
NOTE: There will be no race day pick up!

PACE SETTERS

Nike Pace Teams can help participants achieve their performance goals. Marathon veterans serving as Nike Pace Team Leaders will set the pace according to the following finish times: 2:50, 3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:45, 3:50, 3:55, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30 and 5:45.

AID STATIONS

A total of 20 Aid Stations supplied with fluids, medical facilities and other amenities are positioned throughout the course to provide aid to runners during the race. Each Aid Station is equipped with water, Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavour), and a Medical Tent staffed with certified medical professionals, toilet facilities and access to runner drop-out vehicles.
 
PowerGel will be available at one PowerGel Zone near Aid Station 13, and bananas will bananas will be distributed at Aid Stations 15-18.

PERSONAL REFRESHMENTS AND CLOTHING

Before the marathon, all participants (open and seeded) may store their warm-up clothing in their designated Gear Check Tent within the Start/Finish area.

TRANSPORT

The hotels offered by Travelling Fit as part of the Marathon package are located within walking distance to the race start finish.

EXPO

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo will be held at:
 
McCormick Place Convention Center
North Building, Hall B1
2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616

Friday, 8th October from 9am to 8pm
Saturday, 9th October from 9am to 6pm

FINISHERS T-SHIRTS, MEDALS AND CERTIFICATES

A medal will be awarded to all official finishers who complete the full distance within the 6hrs 30mins cut-off.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The average temperature for October in Chicago is between 8 to 18 degrees Celsius (48 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit)

OTHER EVENTS

N/A

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