Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon

Your complete guide to one of the world's biggest marathons, including how to live stream Chicago, how to track a runner, and the key storylines in the race

When And How To Watch The Chicago Marathon


You can follow our live coverage of the Chicago Marathon on race day here, starting at 8:00 a.m. EDT Sunday morning (30 minutes before the race start time).


YouTube video

Start Date

The 2024 Chicago Marathon is slated for Sunday, October 13, 2024

Start Time

The professional men and women will go off at 7:30 a.m. CT

Have family or friends running the race? We have the full list of start times below:

  • Marathon Wheelchair Start (men): 7:20 a.m.
  • Marathon Wheelchair Start (women): 7:21 a.m.
  • Handcycle Start: 7:23 a.m.
  • Wave 1 Start (corrals A, B, C, D, and E): 7:30 a.m.
  • Wave 2 Start (corrals F, G, H, and J): 8:00 a.m.
  • Wave 3 Start (corrals K, L, M, and N): 8:35 a.m.

Can’t make it in person? Track them live on the Chicago Marathon app.

Spectators and supporters can track runners in real time using the marathon’s mobile app. To download the app, click here for iPhone and here for Android, or search “Bank of America Chicago Marathon” in the Apple or Google Play stores.

Users can add registered participants to their tracking list by searching for their name and marking them as favorites. The app allows tracking of up to 20 runners and also features an interactive course map, event schedule, and race photos.

Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon 1

How to Watch The Chicago Marathon

Live on TV

Channels: NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago
Time: 7-11 a.m. CT

Live Streaming

Where to Watch:

Note: Live streams are available to viewers in the U.S. and Mexico.

Time: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., streams will feature an exclusive live finish line camera, allowing viewers to watch their favorite runners complete the race.

Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon 2

Course Map

The Chicago Marathon is known for its fast, flat course, with almost no significant climbing. Runners will face a 243-foot elevation gain and a 242-foot descent, making it renowned as a record-breaking course.

The race kicks off and concludes in Grant Park, taking runners through 29 diverse neighborhoods over the 26.2 miles. After starting on Michigan Avenue, you’ll pass through the Magnificent Mile, where upscale hotels, towering skyscrapers, and impressive architecture line the streets.

From miles 4 to 7, you’ll cross into Lincoln Park, passing the zoo, museums, and views of Lake Michigan, along with the skyline’s iconic skyscrapers. As you continue, you’ll make your way to Wrigleyville, home of the Chicago Cubs, where the energy of the surrounding neighborhood keeps spirits high before the route curves back towards the downtown business district.

At the halfway point, just past mile 13, you’ll pass Union Station, one of the countryโ€™s most iconic train stations. From there, the route heads west along Damen Avenue before swinging south through the historic Pilsen neighborhood.

At mile 19, youโ€™ll enter the Chinatown neighborhood, known for its enthusiastic crowd and the famous Chinatown Gate. After a brief pass through Bridgeport and Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, the course takes you across the Dan Ryan Expressway and through the Illinois Institute of Technology campus before looping back for a two-mile stretch along South Michigan Avenue.

The marathon’s final challenge comes near the finish (hence why we said “almost” no significant climbs). A steep incline known as โ€œMount Rooseveltโ€ appears as you turn from Michigan Avenue to Roosevelt Road. Though short, itโ€™s notorious but conquering it means you’re almost done, with just a few hundred meters downhill on Columbus Drive to reach the finish line in Grant Park.


Weather

CHICAGO WEATHER

Known as the windy city, Chicago will live up to its name this Sunday. Runners can expect a breezy morning with winds blowing at 24 km/h, gusting at 40 km/h, with a high of 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 degrees Fahrenheit).


Prize Money

The 46th Chicago Marathon on October 13 will feature elite long-distance runners competing for substantial prize money, with $100,000 awarded to the winners and additional bonuses for course records. This year’s race promises excitement despite the absence of last year’s champions, Sifan Hassan and the late Kelvin Kiptum.

While breaking the womenโ€™s course record of 2:13:44 seems possible, the menโ€™s record of 2:00:35, the current world marathon record, will require a significant effort. However, athletes still stand to win impressive prizes in the open division:

1st$100,000
2nd$75,000
3rd$50,000
4th$30,000
5th$25,000
Course Record Bonus$50,000
Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon 3

Shakeout Runs

Running the Chicago Marathon this weekend? Or maybe you’re just looking for an excuse to get out for an easy group run.

There are a number of shakeout runs happening around the city the day before the Chicago Marathon.

So, if you’re in town, here’s a list of organized shakeout runs you could hit up to get the legs ready for the big dance on Sunday!

Pre-Race Shakeout by Tracksmith
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 8:00 A.M. CST
Distance: 3 miles
Location: Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Matt Choiโ€™s Shakeout Run
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 8:00 A.M. CST
Distance: 3 miles
Location: Grant Park, Buckingham Memorial Fountain, 301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Chicago Marathon Shakeout Run with @resiliencyinrunning & @fastandflow_
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 8:00 A.M. CST
Distance: 1-4 miles
Location: Foxtrot Market, 23 West Maple Street, Chicago, IL 60610

Arcโ€™teryx and Latinas Run Chicago
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 9 A.M.
Distance: 3.1 miles
Location: Arcโ€™teryx Rush Street, 1007 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Runners Empire Chicago Marathon Shakeout Run
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 9 A.M.
Distance: A couple of miles
Location: Art Institute, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Realistic Runners Shakeout Run + Walk
Date: Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 10:00 A.M. CST
Distance: 3 miles
Location: PiniPico Coffee, 1538 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60610


Men’s And Women’s Elite Start Lists

Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon 4
Photo Credit: World Athletics

Men’s Startlist

  • Birhanu Legese, ETH, 2:02:48 (2019 Berlin)
  • Amos Kipruto, KEN, 2:03:13 (Tokyo, 2022)
  • Vincent Ngetich, KEN, 2:03:13 (Berlin, 2023)
  • Dawit Wolde, ETH, 2:03:48 (Valencia, 2023)
  • Amdework Walelegn, ETH, 2:04:50 (Rotterdam, 2024)
  • John Korir, KEN, 2:05:01 (Chicago, 2022)
  • Huseydin Mohamed Esa, ETH, 2:05:05 (Amsterdam, 2022)
  • Jemal Yimer, ETH, 2:06:08 (Seoul, 2024)
  • Kyohei Hosoya, JPN, 2:06:35
  • Toshiki Sadakata, JPN, 2:07:05
  • Tatsuya Maruyama, JPN, 2:07:50 (Berlin, 2022)
  • Yuichi Yasui, JPN, 2:08:48 (Beppu, 2023)
  • Jorge Castelblanco, PAN, 2:09:24 (Seville, 2024)
  • Zach Panning, USA, 2:09:28 (Chicago, 2022)
  • Brian Shrader, USA, 2:09:46 (Chicago, 2023)
  • CJ Albertson, USA, 2:09:53 (Boston, 2024)
  • Tomoki Yoshioka, JPN, 2:10:03 (Beppu, 2024)
  • Reed Fischer, USA, 2:10:34 (Boston, 2022)
  • Nathan Martin, USA, 2:10:45 (Duluth, 2023)
  • Colin Mickow, USA, 2:11:22 (Chandler, 2020)
  • Kevin Salvano, USA, 2:11:26 (Chicago, 2023)
  • Jacob Thomson, USA, 2:11:40 (Gold Coast, 2023)
  • Turner Wiley, USA, 2:11:59 (Chicago, 2022)
  • JP Flavin, USA, 2:13:27 (Boston, 2023)
  • Charlie Sweeney, USA, 2:13:41 (Sacramento, 2023)
  • Ben Kendell, USA, 2:15:49 (Sacramento, 2022)
  • Phil Migas, CAN, 2:15:53 (Hamburg, 2024)
  • Daniel Ebenyo, KEN, Debut
  • Alex Maier, USA, Debut
  • Isai Rodriguez, USA, Debut
Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon 5
Photo Credit: World Athletics

Women’s Start List

  • Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 2:14:18 (Chicago, 2022)
  • Sutume Kebede, ETH, 2:15:55 (Tokyo, 2024)
  • Joyciline Jepkosgei, KEN, 2:16:24 (London, 2024)
  • Degitu Azimeraw, ETH, 2:17:58 (London, 2021)
  • Ashete Bekere Dido, ETH, 2:17:58 (Tokyo, 2022)
  • Hiwot Gebrekidan, ETH, 2:17:59 (Valencia, 2023)
  • Irine Cheptai, KEN, 2:18:22 (Hamburg, 2024)
  • Keira Dโ€™Amato, USA, 2:19:12 (Houston, 2022)
  • Betsy Saina, USA, 2:19:17 (Tokyo, 2024)
  • Dorcas Tuitoek, KEN, 2:20:02 (Amsterdam, 2023)
  • Mary Ngugi-Cooper, KEN, 2:20:22 (London, 2022)
  • Sara Hall, USA, 2:20:32 (Chandler, 2020)
  • Emma Bates, USA, 2:22:10 (Boston, 2022)
  • Buze Diriba, ETH, 2:23:11 (Toronto, 2023)
  • Sara Vaughn, USA, 2:23:24 (Chicago, 2023)
  • Susanna Sullivan, USA, 2:24:27 (London, 2023)
  • Gabi Rooker, USA, 2:24:35 (Chicago, 2023)
  • Lindsay Flanagan, USA, 2:24:43 (Gold Coast, 2022)
  • Nell Rojas, USA, 2:24:51 (Boston, 2023)
  • Stacey Ndiwa, KEN, 2:25:29 (Los Angeles, 2024)
  • Laura Thweatt, USA, 2:25:38 (London, 2017)
  • Lauren Hagans, USA, 2:25:56 (Duluth, 2023)
  • Annie Frisbie, USA, 2:26:18 (New York, 2021)
  • Jackie Gaughan, USA, 2:27:08 (Berlin, 2023)
  • Dominique Scott, RSA, 2:27:31 (Chicago, 2023)
  • Diane Nukuri, USA, 2:27:50 (London, 2015)
  • Makena Morley, USA, 2:30:25 (Los Angeles, 2024)
  • Anne Marie Blaney, USA, 2:30:43 (Orlando, 2024)
  • Andrea Pomaranski, USA, 2:31:06 (Houston, 2023)
  • Amy Davis-Green, USA, 2:33:09 (Orlando, 2024)
  • Aubrey Frentheway, USA, Debut

Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Chicago Marathon 6

Key Storylines To Watch At The 2024 Chicago Marathon

The 2024 Chicago Marathon is shaping up to be a thrilling event. With a stacked field of elite runners, record-breaking performances in both the men’s and women’s races are certainly possible.

In the menโ€™s open division, Ethiopiaโ€™s Birhanu Legese comes in with the fastest personal best of the groupโ€”an impressive 2:02:48 set at the 2019 Berlin Marathon. He has consistently delivered strong results, including top-five finishes in major races across Tokyo, Valencia, and London. His fourth-place finish in Amsterdam last year with a 2:04:43 time further sets Legese up as a top contender.

Legese will be challenged by Kenyan runners Amos Kipruto and Vincent Ngetich, both of whom have run 2:03:13 marathons, making them serious threats for the win. Joining the international mix are Japanโ€™s Kyohei Hosoya and Toshiki Sadakata, with personal bests of 2:06:35 and 2:07:05 respectively. American runner Shadrack Kipchirchir will also be vying for a strong finish in this highly competitive race.

The womenโ€™s race is just as exciting, with Ethiopiaโ€™s Sutume Kebede leading the field. Kebede comes off a phenomenal year, having clocked 2:15:55 to win the Tokyo Marathon, making her the fastest female marathoner of 2024 so far. She also set the fastest half marathon ever on U.S. soil, running 1:04:37 at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, positioning her as the favorite to beat.

However, Kebede will face stiff competition from Kenyaโ€™s Ruth Chepngetich, a former Chicago Marathon champion and the fourth-fastest woman in marathon history. Also in the mix is Joyciline Jepkosgei, another top Kenyan runner with victories in both the London and New York City Marathons, who will be looking to improve on her fourth-place finish in last year’s race.

Americans Keira Dโ€™Amato and Betsy Saina will also be in the spotlight, looking for a strong performance on home turf. Dโ€™Amato, a former U.S. marathon record holder, is returning to competition after a stint in commentary, while Saina aims to make a strong comeback after her Olympic Trials Marathon.

With such a talented lineup, this yearโ€™s Chicago Marathon is set to deliver an unforgettable race, with the possibility of new records being etched into history.


Don’t forget, you can follow our live coverage of the Chicago Marathon on race day here, starting at 7:00 a.m. CT Sunday morning (30 minutes before the race start time).


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Jessy Carveth

Senior News Editor

Jessy has been active her whole life, competing in cross-country, track running, and soccer throughout her undergrad. She pivoted to road cycling after completing her Bachelor of Kinesiology with Nutrition from Acadia University. Jessy is currently a professional road cyclist living and training in Spain.

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