Chicago Marathon
How to get in, and where to stay
Chicago Marathon is run in Chicago in October. Entry is by public ballot. There are 4 realistic ways in, 3 of which do not involve paying an operator. It is a realistic personal-best course.
Chicago is flat, fast and superbly organised, and it runs through 29 distinct neighbourhoods, which makes it the most varied of the American Majors. It is also one of the more attainable ballots, which makes it a sensible first Major for a runner starting the six-star chase.
How to get into the Chicago Marathon
The catch nobody tells you
Chicago has the friendliest odds of the ballot Majors, so it is the one to enter first if your goal is to start collecting stars rather than to run a specific city. Runners often burn years on London and Tokyo before discovering that.
The ballot
The drawing normally opens in the autumn for the following October, with results a few weeks after it closes.
Public drawing
Open to allA random drawing that anyone can enter. Odds are better than London or Tokyo, though still competitive.
Time qualifier
QualificationGuaranteed entry for runners who have run a qualifying time within the window.
Charity place
FundraisingA wide range of official charity partners hold guaranteed places with a fundraising commitment.
Tour operator package
PaidTour operators hold a small allocation of guaranteed entries that are sold with accommodation as a package. It is the only route that does not depend on luck or a qualifying time, and it is why most rejected ballot applicants end up here.
What you are actually running
A flat loop starting and finishing in Grant Park, looping north then south through the neighbourhoods and back into the centre.
Personal best potential
Yes. Chicago is flat, fast and well organised, second only to Berlin among the Majors for a personal best. The tall buildings early can interfere with GPS pacing.
Route at a glance
- Start
- Grant Park
- Finish
- Grant Park
- Terrain
- Flat with one short rise in the final stretch on Roosevelt Road that arrives at mile 26.
On the way
- Grant Park
- Loop skyscrapers
- Boystown
- Pilsen
- Chinatown
- Roosevelt Road finish rise
Weather and atmosphere
Race day weather
Early October in Chicago is usually cool, often between 5 and 15 degrees, but it can swing warm. Wind off the lake is the variable that catches people out.
Crowds and support
Around 1.7 million spectators, and because the course loops back into the centre repeatedly, supporters can see runners multiple times using the L.
Where to stay
Book a hotel near the Chicago Marathon start
On race morning the only thing that matters is how far you are from the start. These are the areas that make the morning simple, with live rates on your dates.
The Loop
Walk to start and finish
Walking distance to the Grant Park start and finish, which is the simplest race-morning setup of any American Major.
South Loop
Closest to the corrals
Closest to the start corrals and quieter on race eve, with a short walk in.
River North
Short walk
More restaurants and better for a non-running partner, still an easy walk to the park.
Getting there
Both O Hare and Midway connect to the centre by train. Start and finish are both in Grant Park, so a Loop hotel covers everything.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chicago Marathon easy to get into?
It has the best odds of the ballot Majors, though it is still competitive. If your goal is to start collecting Major stars rather than run one specific city, Chicago is the sensible one to enter first.
Is Chicago a good course for a personal best?
Yes. It is flat and fast, second only to Berlin among the Majors, with one small rise on Roosevelt Road right at the end.
Where should I stay for the Chicago Marathon?
The Loop or South Loop. The start and finish are both in Grant Park, so you can walk to the corrals and walk back afterwards.
What is the weather like for the Chicago Marathon?
Usually cool, often between 5 and 15 degrees in early October, but it can swing warm. Wind off Lake Michigan is the factor most runners underestimate.
Other World Marathon Majors
Ballot windows and entry rules change every year. Always confirm the current details with the official race before booking travel.