More than 55,000 runners prepare to navigate 29 neighborhoods in the 48th running of the Chicago Marathon, a race defined by both its massive economic influence and its high-speed, flat course.
The starting cannon will fire in Grant Park this Sunday at 7:20 a.m. marking the 48th time the city of Chicago has transformed into a global stage for marathon runners. For the 55. 000-plus participants expected to take the start line. the day represents the culmination of thousands of miles of training. For the estimated 1.7 million spectators who will line the route, it is a day of celebration.
This year’s race is set to be the largest field in the event’s history. The growth of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has been steady; last year saw 55,744 participants, a 4% increase over 2024. The demand remains intense, with more than 200,000 people applying for the 2026 race alone. Records show the marathon has evolved significantly since its 1977 inception. when 4. 200 runners gathered at Daley Plaza for the inaugural Mayor Daley Marathon. That first race saw only 2. 128 finishers and a jarring start when a ceremonial cannon misfired. injuring the wife and daughter of race founder Wayne Goeldner.
Today. the marathon holds its status as one of eight prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. alongside races in Tokyo. Boston. London. Cape Town. Sydney. Berlin. and New York City. Its reputation rests on a specific logistical advantage: the course is exceptionally flat. This profile makes it a premier destination for runners aiming to shatter personal records or secure qualifying times for the Boston Marathon. In fact, for the 2027 Boston Marathon, the 2026 Chicago Marathon served as the second-most popular qualifying race, with 2,043 entrants.
Beyond the competitive landscape, the race serves as a vital economic engine. In 2025, the marathon injected nearly $756 million into the local economy, a 7.5% increase over the previous year. This revenue is particularly critical for a downtown core still working to recover from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 75% of participants traveling from outside Illinois—including 20. 000 international runners—the event draws visitors from all 50 states and over 130 countries. The hospitality industry benefits significantly from these travelers, who tend to stay longer and spend more than domestic tourists.
While the professional field boasts returning 2025 winners Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda. who clocked 2:02:23. and Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia. who set a personal best of 2:14:56. the race also carries a profound philanthropic weight. About one-third of this year’s participants are expected to run for charity. In 2025, the official program raised a record $47.1 million for non-profits. The spirit of this mission was exemplified last year by Jim Preschlack. who raised $335. 665 for lung cancer research at Northwestern University in honor of his wife. Paula.
The scale of this event is undeniable: it stands as the fourth largest marathon in the world. trailing only London. New York City. and Paris. As the city prepares for Sunday. the contrast between the grueling 26.2-mile physical test and the festive atmosphere across 29 Chicago neighborhoods remains the defining characteristic of the weekend. Whether for the elite runners chasing Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 course record of 2:00:35 or the thousands running for a cause. the race remains one of the most significant dates on the city’s calendar.
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