Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon was founded in 1977, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 49 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Chicago, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

Dennis Kimetto etched their name into running history by setting the course record of 02:03:45 in 2013. That time places the Chicago Marathon among the fastest courses in the world — a flat, fast stage where records are not just possible but expected.

Runners come to the Chicago Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Chicago has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.

As one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, the Chicago Marathon occupies a place in the sport's highest tier. Completing all six Majors earns the coveted Six Star Medal — and for thousands of runners, this race in Chicago is either the beginning or the culmination of that pilgrimage.

With over 42,000 finishers, race day transforms Chicago into a celebration of human endurance. The streets fill with runners, spectators, and the electric hum of a city united by the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. It's less a sporting event than a civic holiday.

When temperatures hit 31°C on race morning in 2007, organizers made the unprecedented decision to shut down the course mid-race. Over 300 runners were hospitalized, one died, and 10,000 runners were diverted off the course. It transformed how major marathons plan for extreme heat.

In 2023, Kelvin Kiptum ran 2:00:35 in Chicago — the fastest official marathon time in history at the time. The 23-year-old Kenyan, in only his third marathon, ran with a precision that suggested sub-2 was genuinely within reach. His tragic death in a car accident months later sent shockwaves through the running world.