Press releases – 2017
December 12, 2017
THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON SELECTS 2018 FIELD WITH TODAY’S NON-GUARANTEED ENTRY DRAWING
Runners who entered the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon non-guaranteed entry drawing will be notified of their selection status today. A record 44,341 individuals crossed the finish line in 2017, and a similar size field is expected to run through Chicago’s 29 neighborhoods on October 7, 2018. Demand for entry into the Chicago Marathon remains high.
View the December 12, 2017 press release (.pdf)
November 15, 2017
ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS ANNOUNCES ABBOTTWMM WANDA AGE GROUP WORLD RANKING SYSTEM AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), the collective of the world’s six greatest marathons, and partners Abbott and Wanda Group announced today the creation of its first global age group marathon ranking system and age group world championships.
View the November 15, 2017 press release (.pdf)
October 9, 2017
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE 2018 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON OPENS OCTOBER 24, 2017
Today the Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced that it will start accepting runner applications for the 2018 event on Tuesday, October 24 at chicagomarathon.com.
View the October 9, 2017 press release (.pdf)
October 8, 2017
GALEN RUPP AND TIRUNESH DIBABA RUN TO THRILLING VICTORIES AT THE 40TH ANNUAL BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON. TATYANA MCFADDEN SETS COURSE RECORD TO CAPTURE HER EIGHTH VICTORY AND THE “SILVER BULLET” MARCEL HUG DEFENDS HIS TITLE
In today’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon, more than 43,000* runners, an event record, crossed the finish line in Chicago’s “front yard,” Grant Park. This year’s race celebrated 40 years of running history with participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states. The inaugural Chicago Marathon started in Daley Plaza on September 25, 1977.
View the October 8, 2017 press release (.pdf)
October 4, 2017
1984 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND 1985
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON CHAMPION JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON WITHDRAWS FROM 40TH ANNUAL CHICAGO MARATHON
Today the Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced that 1984 Olympic gold medalist and 1985 Chicago Marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson is putting her record chase on hold. Samuelson announced this summer that she was targeting the 40th anniversary Bank of America Chicago Marathon to start the next chapter in her career by becoming the first woman at age 60 run a sub three marathon. Due to training setbacks as a result of an injury, Samuelson will not be competing in this year’s race on October 8.
“Joan is a champion, and while we would love to celebrate a new record and career milestone with her, we are looking forward to having her here in Chicago to cheer on more than 40,000 runners,” said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director. “We are honored any time a running icon like Joan comes to Chicago.”
“October 8 has been on my calendar for some time, but I need to put my goals and my story on hold for now,” said Samuelson. “Chicago holds a special place in my career, and while I cannot compete this year, I am looking forward to cheering on thousands of runners as they chase their goals and tell their stories on race day.”
October 2, 2017
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON RACE WEEK MEDIA INFORMATION
View the October 2, 2017 media alert (.pdf)
September 27, 2017
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON BRING MORE THAN $282 MILLION TO CHICAGO ECONOMY
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon continues to contribute to Chicago’s economy, with the 2016 race delivering an estimated $282 million in total business impact to the city. The findings come from the latest economic impact study reported today by Bank of America ahead of the 40th anniversary of the event on October 8, 2017.
View the September 27, 2017 press release (.pdf)
September 20, 2017
OLYMPIANS, NYC CHAMPIONS AMONG ADDED ATHLETES TO 2017
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON ELITE FIELD
View the September 20, 2017 press release (.pdf)
September 14, 2017
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS AND ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS SERIES WINNERS TATYANA MCFADDEN AND MARCEL HUG LEAD PROFESSIONAL WHEELCHAIR FIELF FEATURING 24 PARALYMPIANS FROM 12 COUNTRIES
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced that 15-time world champion, four-time Paralympian and seven-time Chicago Marathon champion Tatyana McFadden (USA) and 20-time world champion medalist and four-time Paralympian Marcel Hug (SUI) will return to compete for the top spot on the podium at the 40th annual event.
View the September 14, 2017 press release (.pdf)
August 16, 2017
WORLD RECORD-HOLDERS AND DEFENDING CHAMPIONS LEAD 40TH ANNIVERSARY BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
ELITE ATHLETE FIELD
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced that several international running stars are joining its 40th anniversary elite athlete field. Leading the charge are defending champions Abel Kirui (KEN) and Florence Kiplagat (KEN). Their strongest challengers are current marathon and course record holder Dennis Kimetto (KEN), current half marathon world record holder Zersenay Tadese (ERI) and three-time Olympic gold medalist, current 5000m world record holder and the third fastest woman in history over 42K Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH).
View the August 16, 2017 press release (.pdf)
July 20, 2017
TWO-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST GALEN RUPP AND AMERICAN MARATHON DEBUT RECORD HOLDER JORDAN HASAY HEADLINE STRONG FIELD OF AMERICAN RUNNERS AT THE 40TH ANNUAL BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced that two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp and American marathon debut record holder Jordan Hasay will lead a deep field of American contenders at the 40th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Adding an exclamation point to the elite athlete field, 1984 Olympic gold medalist and 1985 Chicago Marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson will toe the line in an attempt to set an age group world record.
View the July 20, 2017 press release (.pdf)
June 21, 2017
ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF INTERNATIONAL CHICAGO 5K
The International Chicago 5K announced that Advocate Health Care is the title sponsor of its second annual event. The Advocate Health Care International Chicago 5K invites runners from around the world to celebrate Chicago’s global and cultural diversity during Bank of America Chicago Marathon race weekend on Saturday, October 7, 2017.
View the June 21, 2017 press release (.pdf)
June 15, 2017
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON AND BANK OF AMERICA SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 8K EXTEND MEDIA PARTNERSHIP WITH NBC 5 CHICAGO AND ADD TELEMUNDO CHICAGO
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K, NBC 5 Chicago / WMAQ and Telemundo Chicago / WSNS announced they have entered a multi-year agreement continuing NBC 5 Chicago’s role as the exclusive television broadcast partner. This is the first year that Telemundo Chicago joins as a media partner of Chicago’s cornerstone running races.
View the June 15, 2017 press release (.pdf)
May 31, 2017
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON ANNOUNCES EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH GATORADE ENDURANCE
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced that it will expand one of its longest standing partnerships in the event’s 40-year history, naming Gatorade Endurance as the exclusive on-course energy gel provider through 2020. Gatorade, a formidable brand in the sports arena and the endurance industry, became an official sponsor of the Chicago Marathon in 1989.
View the May 31, 2017 press release (.pdf)
February 28, 2017
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON BECOMES THE FIRST MARATHON TO EARN HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF CERTIFICATION FROM THE COUNCIL FOR RESPONSIBLE SPORT
The Council for Responsible Sport announced today that the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon has been awarded evergreen level certification for achieving 57 of the best-practice standards offered in the council’s certification program for social and environmental responsibility at sporting events.
View the February 28, 2017 press release (.pdf)
View the sustainability infographic (.pdf)
January 11, 2017
2016 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON CHARITY RUNNERS RAISED $16.9 MILLION
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon today announced that more than 10,000 runners raised $16.9 million through the 2016 Charity Program. Since the charity program was officially established in 2002, more than 106,000 runners have raised over $167 million for local, national and global causes.
View the January 11, 2017 press release (.pdf)
