It’s barely been two weeks since tens of thousands crossed the finish line in Grant Park, but the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is already looking ahead. Registration officially opened Tuesday for the 2026 edition of the race, and the scramble is on.
The 48th running of the marathon is set for Sunday, October 11, 2026, and as usual, demand is expected to be enormous. Chicago is one of seven Abbott World Marathon Majors and one of the most popular races on the calendar, flat, fast, and steeped in tradition.
Runners have until Tuesday, November 18 at 2 p.m. Central Time to apply, but most know the clock is already ticking.
What You Need To Know
As in previous years, runners can apply for either a guaranteed entry or toss their names into the non-guaranteed drawing, a lottery that has become increasingly competitive. Anyone applying through the drawing will find out their fate on Thursday, December 11.
Guaranteed entries are still available, but only to those who meet specific criteria. That includes:
- Time qualifiers
- Legacy finishers (those who’ve completed five or more Chicago Marathons in the last 10 years)
- 2025 registrants who canceled
- Charity runners committed to fundraising for an official partner
- Tour operator participants
- Finishers of the full 2025 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series (Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago 13.1, and the Marathon)
Applications for guaranteed entry take up to 10 business days to verify. If approved, you’re in. If not, you’ll be automatically entered into the general drawing.
The Price of Entry
It costs $250 for U.S. participants, or $260 for international runners. That price includes access to the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, aid stations, a race shirt, and all the infrastructure that goes into hosting 40,000+ runners through 29 neighborhoods.
Applicants must use a credit card that doesn’t expire before December 2025, and charges are only processed if you’re selected or approved.
For many, the entry fee is just the beginning, with flights, hotels, and months of training to follow, but it’s a price thousands are willing to pay for a shot at one of the most electric marathon experiences in the world.
Rules, Requirements, and a Road to Race Day
The rules are familiar but strict. All runners must be at least 16 years old on race day, and those under 18 need a parent or guardian’s permission during registration. The time limit remains six hours and 30 minutes, enforced by a rolling course closure that allows the city to reopen streets without cutting runners short. That means staying on pace is important.
There’s no option to transfer bibs or sell entries, and race packets must be picked up in person with a government-issued ID. These guidelines help protect both participant safety and the integrity of the event, which has grown to become one of the most logistically complex single-day sporting events in the country.
Whether you’re chasing a goal time or just want to hear your name called over the roar of the crowd on Columbus Drive, Chicago is now officially in play. The door is open, but not for long.
