RUNNER INFORMATION
Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike. On race day, runners will set out to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Grant Park.
Schedule of events
Bank of America Chicago Marathon App, Powered by TCS
Abbott Chicago 5K
Pace Team
Broadcast information
Race day lactation spaces
Lost and found
Runner reunite
27th Mile Post-Race Party
Pre-race Pasta Dinner
Post-race celebrations with Goose Island Beer Co.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 8
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet Pick-up
McCormick Place, North Building
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, October 9
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet Pick-up
McCormick Place, North Building
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 10
Abbott Chicago 5K
Grant Park
7:30 a.m.
Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet Pick-up
McCormick Place, North Building
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 11
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Grant Park
Gear check opens: 5:30 a.m.
Start corrals open: 5:30 a.m.
Men’s Professional Wheelchair Start: 7:20 a.m.
Women’s Professional Wheelchair Start: 7:21 a.m.
Handcycle Start: 7:23 a.m.
Men’s and Women’s Professional Start: 7:30 a.m.
High Performance Program Start: 7:32 a.m.
Wave 1 Start: 7:35 a.m.
Wave 2 Start: 8:00 a.m.
Wave 3 Start: 8:35 a.m.
Grant Park opens to spectators: 9:30 a.m.
27th Mile Post-Race Party starts: 9:30 a.m.
Gear check closes: 4:00 p.m.
27th Mile Post-Race Party ends: 4:00 p.m.
Times are subject to change
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON APP, POWERED BY TCS
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon App, Powered by Tata Consultancy Services is the perfect resource to prepare for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Whether you’re running or spectating, the free mobile app includes everything you’ll need to be prepared for a great race week experience.
The 2026 official race app will be available in advance of race day.
ABBOTT CHICAGO 5K
The Abbott Chicago 5K is the perfect way for marathoners, fans of the sport and friends and family to experience Chicago and take part in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon weekend. The 3.1-mile course weaves through the heart of downtown Chicago and runs past iconic downtown landmarks.
To learn more about the Abbott Chicago 5K visit chicago5K.com.
PACE TEAM
The Pace Team is comprised of marathon veterans who help others achieve their performance goals. The Pace Team will pace groups of runners according to the following finish times: 2:55, 3:00, 3:05, 3:10, 3:15, 3:20, 3:25, 3:30, 3:35, 3:40, 3:45, 3:50, 3:55, 4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45 and 6:00. Learn more about the Pace Team, including how to join and frequently asked questions.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Watch live
NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and TeleXitos will provide complete live TV coverage and live streaming of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in English and Spanish. The NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago and TeleXitos live television broadcasts will air from 7 – 11 a.m. CT and the live stream will be available at nbcchicago.com and telemundochicago.com, on the NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago apps and on the stations’ Roku and Apple TV channels from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT.
Listen live
670 The Score Sports Radio will provide complete live radio coverage of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on race day from 7 – 11 a.m. Listen to Josh Liss, Leila Rahimi and expert analysts provide a play-by-play of all the exciting action. Download the free Audacy app to listen from anywhere.
Tune in before the race to listen to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon preview shows featuring running experts and the Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director, Carey Pinkowski.
RACE DAY LACTATION SPACES
Private and semi-private lactation spaces are available to participants on race day. Participants interested in using the spaces will have access to a private or semi-private seating area (chair and table), a water source or a portable hand-washing station and a power source. Additional questions about lactation spaces can be directed to office@chicagomarathon.com in advance of the event.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and found items will be collected throughout race weekend at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo and in Grant Park on race day. If you are looking for an item that was lost, please visit chicagomarathon.com/lostandfound to confirm if your item was turned into the event lost and found.
RUNNER REUNITE
Connect with friends and family after the race at Runner Reunite. Red alphabetical towers (A-Z) will be staged in Butler Field within the 27th Mile Post-Race Party to facilitate meeting locations by last name. When making plans to reunite with your family and friends, we encourage you to identify a specific letter by which to meet post-race. Please communicate to your family and friends that they should meet you within Butler Field and not congregate around participant entry points into the 27th Mile Post-Race Party to avoid crowding. Factor in the time it will take you to navigate through the finish area and collect your bag from gear check. We estimate getting from the finish to the Post-Race Party can take 30 minutes or longer. Devise a backup plan if you cannot locate your party within Grant Park.
27TH MILE POST-RACE PARTY
Celebrate your accomplishment at the 27th Mile Post-Race Party in Butler Field, near the start line at Columbus Drive and Jackson Drive. The outdoor celebration will feature music from a Chicago-based DJ along with food and beverages available for purchase. Participants aged 21 and over (photo ID required) can redeem the tear-off portion of their bib number for one beer.
The 27th Mile Post-Race Party is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beer tickets will be for sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be redeemed until 3:30 p.m.
PRE-RACE PASTA DINNER
Millennium Hall is hosting a special pre-race Pasta Dinner in the heart of Millennium Park for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Designed with runners in mind, this all you can eat dinner offers a hearty and delicious way to fuel up the night before the big race. Surrounded by the iconic skyline and energy of downtown Chicago, guests can enjoy a carb-loaded feast in a lively, welcoming setting just steps from the starting line. The pre-race Pasta Dinner is available October 9 and October 10! Learn more and make your reservation.
POST-RACE CELEBRATIONS WITH GOOSE ISLAND BEER CO.
After the 27th Mile Post-Race Party, continue the celebration at one of the five Goose Island Post-Race Participant Celebrations throughout the city. Be one of the first three hundred and twelve runners to arrive wearing a 2026 finisher medal, at any of the five locations, and the first 312 Urban Wheat Ale is on the house!
This year’s Goose Island post-race participant celebrations will take place at:
Lizzie McNeill’s
400 N. McClurg Ct.
Chicago, IL 60611
Millennium Hall
11 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
Goose Island Taproom
1800 W Fulton St.
Chicago, IL 60612
Goose Island Salt Shed Pub
1221 W Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60642
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
