The Back of America Chicago Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world, and will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026. It is one of the eight Abbott World Major Marathons and is part of the original Six Star Medal journey. More than 55,000 runners are expected to participate in the 2026 race, making this the largest running in the 48 year history of the race. Millions of spectators line the streets around the city to cheer on all of the runners, making this such an electric day in the Windy City. The route is notoriously flat and cuts through 29 neighborhoods in the city, bringing a unique energy with every corner.
All of our Pace of Me Coaches have run the Chicago Marathon and a few of us are annually found cheering on the sidelines! Coach Michelle lives right outside the city and we have gathered all of the exciting information about this race here in one place for you to read through! If you have any questions about the race or the Chicago Marathon weekend in general, please reach out- we would love to chat to you!
We want to begin by inviting you to our shakeout, which we’ll hold on Saturday, October 10th at 8:30am meeting at Cupitol Coffee + Eatery. There are multiple locations in the city, so make sure you are plugging in the one on E. Illinois St. We will shake it out for about 30 minutes before gathering back at Cupitol for coffee and conversations!
Expo Information
The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo is held at Chicago’s large convention center: McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Hall D (Address: 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr. Chicago, Illinois, IL 60616). Entrance into the expo is free and open to the public as there are many fitness-related merchandise and product exhibits. There is no race morning pickup for packets and all registered runners must pick up their own participant packet and bib. Remember to bring your photo ID and race packet pickup info. The best way to get around race will be public transportation. The expo is open on:
Thursday, 10/8 — 10 AM to 6 PM
Friday 10/9 — 9 AM to 6 PM
Saturday 10/10 — 9 AM to 6 PM *This will be the busiest day at the expo. Be prepared for long lines!
Course Overview
Few marathons offer the combination of city views, iconic landmarks, enthusiastic crowds, and a fast, flat course like Chicago. It is an excellent course for those chasing a personal record! It covers 26.2 miles through the heart of Chicago, and gives runners a unique opportunity to experience the city from street level while passing through some of its most recognizable neighborhoods and landmarks. Whether you’re running the marathon or cheering on a friend or family member, knowing the race route can help you make the most of the experience.
The Start Line
The marathon starts and finishes in Grant Park, at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Drive, right in the middle of downtown. Right from the start, runners get a taste of the city’s famous skyline before heading north through downtown. For spectators, Grant Park is also where the marathon finishes, making it one of the most important areas to know when planning race day. Below is the schedule for race morning. Runners, give yourself ample time to get to your corral. If you are taking CTA (public transportation), the blue, green, orange and red lines all stop near Grant Park. Read the participant guide to learn more about where you should enter the park for your wave/corral.
The Early Miles Through Downtown Chicago
The opening miles take runners through the heart of Chicago and past some of the city’s most recognizable architecture. Early in the race, runners head north before turning west through downtown. The course passes near the Chicago Theatre, the Loop, and the towering buildings of Chicago’s central business district. One of the highlights is the stretch along LaSalle Street, where the tall buildings create an unmistakable Chicago backdrop. The downtown section is one of the liveliest parts of the course, with crowds lining the streets and cheering runners on.
For spectators, downtown can be an exciting place to watch because runners pass through several times at different points in the race. Be prepared, these early miles near tall buildings cause GPS signals to bounce, so your watch may read wild pace spikes. Some runners will choose to manual-lap their miles vs. auto-lap because of this.
Neighborhoods Along the Course
As the course continues north, runners experience some of Chicago’s most famous shopping and residential districts. The section around Michigan Avenue, close to the Magnificent Mile, and the Gold Coast, provides a completely different atmosphere from the skyscrapers of the Loop. Instead of simply seeing the skyline, runners get a sense of the city’s neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, historic buildings, and residential streets. The crowds remain a major feature here, making it an important part of the race for anyone who needs a boost of energy before reaching the halfway point. Runners then head farther north, running along streets near Lincoln Park, with the area’s trees, historic homes, and lakefront surroundings providing a welcoming change from the downtown skyscrapers. The course eventually reaches the northernmost portion of the marathon before turning south again. For spectators, the northern section can be a great place to see runners without being surrounded by quite as much downtown congestion.
After reaching the northern part of the course, runners begin the long journey back toward downtown. The first half has taken runners through several of Chicago’s most recognizable neighborhoods, but there are still more than 13 miles to go so runners have to stay mentally positive. The course heads south through the city, eventually bringing runners back toward the downtown area where they’ll cross the halfway mark with an electric sea of spectators surrounding them. Tip: run over the carpets on the bridges, not the metal grates. The course continues west through neighborhoods including areas around Wicker Park, Bucktown, and West Town, giving runners a glimpse of a different side of Chicago. These neighborhoods are known for their restaurants, small businesses, architecture, and energetic atmosphere. It’s during these late miles that runners may begin to feel the weight of the distance, so having thousands of people cheering along the streets can provide a significant mental boost. The changing neighborhoods are one of the defining features of the race.
Coach Steph running in 2024!
The Final Miles and Finish Line
By the time runners reach the final few miles, the course has turned back towards the lakefront and downtown. Fatigue is usually competing with excitement in these final miles. The finish line in Grant Park is within reach, and runners can finally see the end of their 26.2-mile journey.
The final stretch brings runners back toward Grant Park, where they crest one small but giant-feeling hill before they cross that finish line. After spending hours traveling through Chicago’s neighborhoods, the finish in Grant Park provides an epic conclusion to the race.
One thing is for sure: Chicago shows up to support the runners! Celebrate your accomplishment or gift the runner in your life racing Chicago with a special piece from the We Run On Art Chicago Collection, created by Coach Jess.
This year, Pace of Me Coaches Jess, Michelle, and Maddie will be out spectating around Miles 22 and 24!
Best of luck to all running this October!
