SUSTAINABILITY

Incorporating environmentally and socially responsible practices is an important part of the operational planning and production of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The Chicago Marathon sustainability program focuses on environmental stewardship, community engagement and outreach, accessibility and innovation.

We would like to thank our participants, volunteers, community partners, sponsors and spectators for helping us create a more sustainable event.

BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON SUSTAINABILITY TIMELINE

2010 – The event receives certification from the Council for Responsible Sport.
2014 – Increased sustainability efforts earn the event Silver Level certification.
2016 – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon becomes the largest marathon to earn Evergreen Level certification, the highest level offered by the Council for Responsible Sport. 
2018 – After achieving multiple certifications, the Council for Responsible Sport recognizes the race’s commitment and legacy within the sport and awards the Chicago Marathon Evergreen Inspire Status.
2019 – The Marathon becomes an early signatory of the United Nation’s “Sports for Climate Action” initiative.
2024 – 2025 – Renewed our commitment to sustainability and recertified the event at the Evergreen Level with the Council for Responsible Sports.

• PLANNING & COMMUNICATIONS

  Responsibly producing the Bank of America Chicago Marathon requires strategic planning, accurate measurement and effective communication of our sustainability efforts.

  • Environmental advocate Tina Muir hosted the race’s first-ever plogging event in 2024. Plogging is a combination of the Swedish term plocka upp (to pick up) and the English word jog. Participants paired their passion for running and walking with environmental stewardship.
  • The closed-loop design of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon course lessens the distance runners travel to get to the start line race morning.
  • The Bank of America Chicago Marathon proudly welcomes Culligan International back as long-term partners providing sustainable water when it matters the most. Following a successful partnership in 2024, participants can continue to expect cleaner, safer, better tasting Culligan water at the finish line. Our shared commitment to make the marathon more sustainable comes to life tangibly as we avoid single-use water bottles with aluminum options. Participants and spectators are invited to refill at the start line and throughout the post-race celebration at Culligan water stations, supporting a more sustainable experience.
  • The Chicago public transportation system provides the perfect way for spectators to get around the city sustainably. CTA information will be in the online event spectator guide.
  • World Bicycle Relief will provide a free bike valet for participants and volunteers from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Divvy will offer a bike valet for Divvy bikes only. In 2024, Divvy valet checked more than 300 bikes from event attendees on race day.
  • We share the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sustainability Guidebook with vendors, partners and others who would like to know more about what we do and actions they can take to be more sustainable.
• PROCUREMENT

  As one of the largest marathons in the world, we realize the impact of how we source and purchase event materials. For this reason, we make an effort to incorporate local and sustainably sourced products and services, as well as reducing the use of resources whenever possible.

  • Race materials are provided to runners and spectators digitally at chicagomarathon.com, as well as through the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon App, presented by TCS. Download the App versus printing event materials.
  • The Bank of America Chicago Marathon works with local businesses to source products with sustainable attributes for the event. A local sign manufacturer uses fabric made from recycled plastic bottles to produce our Zero waste stations.
  • Event participant shirts are made from 100% recycled polyester. In addition to reducing waste, recycled polyester reduces carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to virgin polyester, and helps Nike divert an average of 1 billion plastic bottles annually from landfills and waterways.
  • 2025 finisher medals will be made from 100% recycled zinc alloy with recycled PET ribbons.
  • In 2024, $19,568 was invested in local restaurants and catering services along the 26.2-mile course through the purchase of on-course volunteer meals.
  • Following the race, volunteers will hand out sustainability produced Michigan Apples, a locally sourced and healthy treat to refuel runners in the Runner Refreshment area.
  • Chiquita bananas will be sporting a limited-edition compostable stickers, made from wood pulp and printed with food-safe inks and sealed with biodegradable adhesive. 
• RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

  A challenge all events face is responsibly managing energy and waste. We work to minimize our carbon footprint by focusing on waste diversion, energy conservation, renewable energy sources and the use of alternative transportation.

  • Kia will lead the way on race day! Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Kia retailers are proud to support the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The all-electric Kia EV9 will act as the lead vehicles with pace clocks for the 2025 event. To get more information, visit kia.com.
    
  • 100% renewable energy is used at all event facilities.
  • In 2024, 15 tons of organic materials were composted and donated to Chicago area community gardens.
  • In 2024, 83% of course materials were diverted from the landfill through the event’s recycling and composting efforts.
  • In 2024, 54,500 pounds of clothing collected from the start line was donated to IL AMVETS and Salvation Army.
  • In 2024, 12,138 pounds of finish line product, including approximately 30,000 apples and bananas, was donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, providing healthy food to those in need
  • In 2024, 537 pounds of prepared food from over 3,500 meals served to event week staff & volunteers was donated to Pacific Garden Mission & Fight2Feed, prioritizing feeding people over composting or landfilling food.
  • Chiquita banana peels, compostable cups and other organic waste collected at the Zero Waste Stations and on course were delivered to a local compost facility and turned into nutrient-rich soil amendment and donated to local community gardens in the spring.
  • Heatsheet blankets and other LDPE material will be collected at the finish line are taken to a processing facility and turned into composite wood boards.
  • The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo venue the McCormick Place offsets their electrical usage with alternate energy sources.
  • To reduce our overall impact, we calculate and purchase carbon offsets for our unavoidable emissions from event operations.
  • In 2024, 1,027 participants contributed to the purchase of carbon offsets for travel to the event, which supported the planting of trees in Kenya.
  • Battery storage systems were introduced in 2024 to reduce our reliance on diesel fuel use. 
  • The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will be funding local urban forestry projects to offset 25% of participant travel in 2025. 
• ACCESS & EQUITY

  Improving equality among runners and providing access to underrepresented groups is a critical part of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and our efforts to be more socially responsible.

  • The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a formal access and equity policy and is committed to innovating adaptive sports.
  • The event provides guide runners to athletes who request additional assistance.
  • Gender-neutral changing facilities are available to runners prior to and following the race.
  • The Bank of America Chicago Marathon undergoes ADA compliance exercises, to ensure every component of the event is as accessible as possible.
  • In 2023, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon joined the movement started by Chris Nikic and reserved bib number 321 for neurodivergent participants to ensure representation of neurodivergent athletes in endurance races.
  • In 2022, we were excited to introduce the option for participants to register as non-binary and celebrated 41 finishers in the new division. The 2024 division saw meaningful growth with more than 160 non-binary runners registered to participate.
  • The Bank of America Chicago Marathon participant guide is translated into eight different languages, so all athletes receive important race information.
  • Visually impaired athletes are awarded Bank of America Chicago Marathon braille medals as they cross the finish line.
  • The finish line will remain open for an additional two hours to welcome and celebrate participants who complete the race outside of the official course time limit.
  • Introduced in 2024, water bottle refill stations will be available at eight aid stations in 2025. 
  • Culligan water refill stations in Grant Park saved 14,680 plastic bottles from being used in 2024.
  • 48% increase in non-binary runners in 2024 from the previous year.
• COMMUNITY & LEGACY

  Every year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon positively impacts the Chicago economy. This impact provides opportunities to unite diverse groups and create new pathways to civic pride.

  • Runners and spectators can help support local economy race weekend by visiting and shopping at local businesses.
  • 36 million dollars was raised for Charity in 2024, with $358 million raised for charity since 2002.
  • More than 16,000 runners make their marathon journey more impactful by running on behalf of a cause they are passionate about. Learn more about running for charity by visiting the Charity teams page.
  • In 2024, $73,100 was donated to local organizations and schools who volunteered as a group at the event.
  • Over 2500 pledge cards have been completed at the Abbott Health & Wellness Expo. Look for the sustainability activation and complete yours in 2025.
  • All participants, volunteers and event staff receive access to an instructional Hands-Only CPR video.

PLOGGING WITH THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO DISTANCE SERIES

Join the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and environmental advocate Tina Muir for a postrace plogging event at 9 a.m. CT on Monday, October 13! Plogging is a combination of the Swedish term plocka upp (to pick up) and the English word jog. Individuals who join us for the 3K/1.86-mile run/walk will learn more about plogging and how we can pair our passion for running and walking with environmental stewardship to enhance our communities. As we look for more ways to take care of the planet and the people on it, this is an easy and fun way to do our part. Click here for more details and to register.

SNEAKER IMPACT

Upcycle or recycle your used running shoes with Sneaker Impact! Sneaker Impact’s collection boxes will be available at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. Clean out your closet and help to reduce waste, create economic opportunities and give your used sneakers a second life! Learn more about Sneaker Impact by visiting sneakerimpact.com.

INVESTING IN LOCAL CARBON OFFSET PROJECTS

In 2025, the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series is partnering with The Land Conservancy of McHenry County to reduce the climate impact of our events from emissions we can’t avoid. The Chicago Distance Series is investing in local forest preservation through the purchase of carbon credits supporting two tree protection projects in the Chicago metropolitan area. By supporting these projects, the events will offset 25% of participant travel to the event sites, which accounts for more than 95% of emissions across the event series.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County’s Crowley Oaks Conservation Area and Thompson Road Oak Woods projects protect a combined 80 acres of mature oak and hickory forests in the Chicago region. These forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon, improving air and water quality and preserving critical animal habitats.

BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON – EVERGREEN EVENT

Earlier this year, the Council for Responsible Sport, a not-for-profit organization which provides objective, independent verification of the socially and environmentally responsible work of sporting events, recognized the event’s continued efforts by renewing the race’s Evergreen certification. Responsible Sport certified events are some of the world’s leading examples of responsible sport in action, supporting sustainability and environmental consciousness.