PRESS RELEASES
LARGEST BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON FIELD YET FUELED BY INSPIRING STORIES
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon returns on Sunday, October 11, for the 48th running of one of the world’s most iconic road races.
Since 1977, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has brought together runners from around the world to pursue ambitious goals, celebrate personal milestones and discover what’s possible. More than 55,000 participants will take to the streets of Chicago, each with a story that reflects the determination, resilience and spirit of the running community. From the world’s top professional athletes chasing victory to first-time marathoners, charity runners and inspiring individuals overcoming extraordinary challenges, every runner has a reason for taking the 26.2-mile journey. Below are some of the remarkable stories that will shape the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS READY TO TAKE ON STACKED FIELD AT 48TH BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
Returning Bank of America Chicago Marathon champions Jacob Kiplimo and Hawi Feysa will defend their titles against one of the deepest fields in race history on Sunday, October 11. Announced today, the professional athlete fields feature some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Sharon Lokedi, Brigid Kosgei, Amos Kipruto and rising American Charles Hicks.
View the July 23, 2026 press release (.pdf)
2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON PUMPS RECORD $756 MILLION INTO CHICAGO ECONOMY
The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon infused nearly $756 million into the Chicago Metropolitan Area economy, representing a 7.5% increase in impact over the 2024 event and showing sustained growth over the past decade.
View the March 12, 2026 press release (.pdf)
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON SHATTERS ANOTHER RECORD: $47.1 MILLION FOR CHARITY
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that 2025 participants raised a record $47.1 million for local, national and global nonprofits, smashing last year’s highest fundraising total by $11 million. The fundraising momentum is expected to continue in 2026, with a third of the 55,000-person participant field expected to run and fundraise on behalf of an official charity.
View the December 11, 2025 press release (.pdf)
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON ANNOUNCES PRIZE MONEY FOR THE PARA ATHLETICS PROGRAM
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today the introduction of prize money for the event’s Para Athletics Program beginning in 2026. By adding prize money to the Para Athletics Program, the event aims to expand opportunities for athletes competing at the highest level of the sport, recognize their accomplishments and attract top Para athletes to the Chicago Marathon. Additionally, the Chicago Marathon has increased the prize purse for the professional wheelchair division in 2026 and will now feature a cumulative prize purse of more than $1 million.
View the November 4, 2025 press release (.pdf)
THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO DISTANCE SERIES ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF MEDIA PARTNERSHIP WITH NBC 5 CHICAGO AND TELEMUNDO CHICAGO
Following a successful Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 12, event organizers today announced an extension of a media partnership with NBCUniversal Local Chicago (NBC 5 Chicago / WMAQ and Telemundo Chicago / WSNS). The multi-year agreement will continue the stations’ role as the official English and Spanish television broadcast partners for the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events through 2028. NBC 5 Chicago has been a media partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for the past 18 years. Telemundo Chicago joined the event as a media partner in 2017.
View the October 15, 2025 press release (.pdf)
WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES CEMENT CHICAGO AS CITY OF RECORDS
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon kicked off its 47th running under ideal race conditions as more than 54,000 participants made their way through 29 neighborhoods. Half marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) led the charge, dominating the men’s race and reinforcing the Chicago Marathon’s reputation as a stage for fast performances. Kiplimo, running just his second marathon, broke the tape first in 2:02:23, the second fastest time in Chicago Marathon history. Conner Mantz (USA) also completed his mission to break the 23-year-old American record, taking nearly 60 seconds off the record to finish fourth in 2:04:43, and Marcel Hug (SUI) became the winningest man in Chicago Marathon history with his sixth victory in the wheelchair race.
View the October 12, 2025 press release (.pdf)
2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON RACE WEEK MEDIA INFORMATION
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon returns to the streets of Chicago on Sunday, October 12. The 47th running of the marathon will start and finish in Grant Park and travel through one of the world’s most magnificent cities. The course has produced six world records, several national records and countless personal bests.
View the October 6, 2025 press release (.pdf)
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2026 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON, CHICAGO 13.1 AND SHAMROCK SHUFFLE OPENS THIS MONTH
Today the teams behind Chicago’s premier racing portfolio announced registration information for the events that will make up the fourth annual Bank of America Chicago Distance Series. The Distance Series connects the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Chicago 13.1 and Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run in a unique challenge that rewards participants who finish all three events in 2026 with an exclusive medal and guaranteed entry to the 2027 Chicago Marathon. Individuals interested in participating are encouraged to get their names in early to ensure they can take part in the series. Registration for the Chicago 13.1 and Shamrock Shuffle launches today with special discounted pricing. The four-week application period for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open on Tuesday, October 21.
View the October 2, 2025 press release (.pdf)
DANIEL ROMANCHUK WITHDRAWS FROM 2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
Three-time Bank of America Chicago Marathon champion Daniel Romanchuk has withdrawn from this year’s race due to injury. Romanchuk suffered a shoulder injury following an on-course collision with a spectator at this year’s TCS Sydney Marathon.
View the October 1, 2025 press release (.pdf)
2025 TOP STORIES AND BROADCAST INFORMATION
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon returns on Sunday, October 12, for the 47th running of one of the world’s most iconic road races. Here’s a look at some of the top stories from this year’s field and information on how fans from around the world can follow along on race day.
View the September 25, 2025 press release (.pdf)
INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE 2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon returns on Sunday, October 12, for the 47th running of one of the world’s most iconic road races. For more than four decades, runners have descended upon Chicago to chase dreams, to set personal bests, to raise money for charity and to do something they weren’t sure was possible. This fall, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome more than 53,000 runners, including an exciting professional athlete field, from around the world ready to inspire, motivate, break barriers and set records
View the August 18, 2025 press release (.pdf)
STACKED PROFESSIONAL FIELD SET TO RACE FAST AND CHASE DREAMS THROUGH STREETS OF CHICAGO
Today, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced its professional field for the 2025 event. The world’s greatest marathoners, including three of the four reigning Bank of America Chicago Marathon champions, will line up to chase victory at the race’s 47th running on Sunday, October 12.
View the August 14, 2025 press release (.pdf)
CHICAGO ECONOMY INFUSED WITH RECORD $683 MILLION IMPACT FROM 2024 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon contributed a record-breaking $683 million to the Chicago Metropolitan Area economy, according to an independent study conducted by Jones & Associates Economics. The race continues to grow year-over-year and drives economic success for the city, with a 22% increase in total economic impact over 2023. The increased national and global prominence of the race boosted economic impact, as nearly 53,000 participants toed the start line on race day. Out of state participation to race and cheer on runners more than doubled in 2024, with a 130% increase in participants and visitors from the United States outside of Illinois and the Midwest since 2023. More visitors in town led to greater spending on accommodations, food, retail and transportation. The tourism industry saw more than $177 million in economic activity as a direct result of the 2024 race.
View the June 12, 2025 press release (.pdf)
CONNER MANTZ READY TO BREAK AMERICAN MARATHON RECORD IN CHICAGO
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced Conner Mantz will return to run the 2025 race in an attempt to break the American record. Mantz, the reigning U.S. Marathon champion and the top American finisher at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has his eyes on Khalid Khannouchi’s record of 2:05:38, which has stood since 2002. With his performances in 2025, Mantz has shown he is the most legitimate threat to Khannouchi’s place atop the all-time list in more than a decade. In January, he shattered Ryan Hall’s 18-year-old American record in the half marathon by running 59:17 at the Houston Half Marathon. He bettered that time by two seconds at the NYC Half Marathon in March. Then in April, Mantz fought a headwind to finish fourth in the Boston Marathon, a non-record eligible course, with a time of 2:05:08. Although he’s had the American record on his mind for some time, Mantz believes he now possesses the speed and the fitness needed to break it.
View the June 5, 2025 press release (.pdf)
RECORD $36 MILLION RAISED FOR CHARITY AT THE 2024 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that 2024 participants raised $36 million for local, national and global nonprofits, the highest fundraising total in event history. Since 2002, participants have raised more than $358 million through the event’s official Charity Program. This feat is accomplished by participants who sign on to support an affiliated cause and commit to fundraising as a part of their marathon journey. Individuals hoping to take part in this year’s sold-out event can still secure their place by committing to run and fundraise on behalf of an official charity team.
View the January 28, 2025 press release (.pdf)