Chicago Marathon Lottery Results: How Entry Works
Everything you need to know about the Chicago Marathon lottery process, acceptance rates, and alternative entry routes for the 2026 race.
AnalysisWhich Course Is Most Likely To See The Next Marathon World Record?
A deep dive into why Chicago’s pancake-flat lakefront course has produced more world records than any other marathon, and whether it will be the site of the next one.
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About the Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and is widely regarded as the fastest major marathon course in the world. First held in 1977, it has grown into one of the premier racing events on the planet, attracting over 50,000 runners annually to the streets of the Windy City.
Organized by the Bank of America, the race starts and finishes in Grant Park along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Chicago’s pancake-flat course and cool October weather have made it a magnet for world records — including Kelvin Kiptum’s stunning 2:00:35 in 2023, the fastest official marathon time ever recorded.
The race winds through 29 neighborhoods, showcasing Chicago’s incredible diversity — from the skyscrapers of the Loop to the vibrant streets of Pilsen, Chinatown, and Boystown. The crowd support is legendary, with over 1.7 million spectators lining the course.
How to Enter the Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon uses a lottery system for general entry, which typically opens in the autumn. The lottery has become increasingly competitive, with acceptance rates dropping in recent years.
Alternative entry routes include qualifying via a time standard (varies by age and gender — for example, men 16–29 need sub-3:10 and women need sub-3:35), running for a charity partner, or securing an international tour operator entry.
Chicago is generally considered easier to get into than Boston (no strict qualifying requirement for lottery) and NYC (higher acceptance rate), making it an excellent first World Marathon Major for many runners. Read our lottery guide for the latest details on entry.
The Chicago Marathon Course
Chicago’s course is famously flat — with just 90 feet of total elevation change across the entire 26.2 miles, it’s one of the flattest marathon courses in the world. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park, heading north through Lincoln Park before looping back south through the city.
Key sections include the Loop and its towering skyscrapers (miles 1–4), Old Town and Lincoln Park (miles 5–9), the halfway point near the United Center, Pilsen and Chinatown (miles 15–21), and the Bronzeville and Hyde Park neighborhoods (miles 22–25) before the final push back to Grant Park.
The flat profile and typically cool October temperatures make Chicago ideal for fast times. The course has produced five men’s world records and multiple women’s course records, most recently Kelvin Kiptum’s extraordinary 2:00:35 in October 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Chicago Marathon
