Chicago is your start line in

COURSE & AMENITIES

Participants running in Lincoln Park during the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its flat and fast course. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park and travels through one of the world’s most magnificent cities. The course has produced four world records, several national records and countless personal bests. Runners enjoy the support of 1.7 million spectators as they run through 29 neighborhoods.

2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon course map (.pdf)*
View the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon course on Strava.

*Subject to change

Aid stations
Medical support
Course time limit
Clocks and mile markers
Prohibited devices on course
Street closures
World Athletics Platinum Label

AID STATIONS

20 aid stations are located along the course approximately one to two miles apart. Each aid station consists of the following amenities in this order:

Medical Tent with access to a Runner Transport vehicle*
Standard and ADA portable toilets
Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavor)
Public address announcer
Water

*Runner Transport vehicles provide non-emergency transportation back to Grant Park if a participant is unable to complete the race.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

Medical support is available at 22 on-course locations: medical tents are located at all 20 aid stations with additional medical tents located between Mile 14 and Mile 15 and in the final mile. Medical tents are indicated by tall, red, blade signs with the medical icon. Each medical tent is staffed by a team of medical professionals equipped with medical supplies and equipment, and has access to ambulance service.

In Grant Park, the Main Medical Tent, Podiatry Tent and Ice Station are located directly beyond the finish line. An additional medical tent is in Grant Park adjacent to the 27th Mile Post-Race Party. For the safety of all participants, only those requiring medical assistance may access the medical facilities. If you feel like you need medical assistance on race day, you are encouraged to seek help from a medical volunteer or to visit a medical tent in Grant Park or on course.

Lend a hand, save a life! Participants, volunteers and event staff are encouraged to watch an instructional Hands-Only CPR video. This training is critical and can be lifesaving.

COURSE TIME LIMIT

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a course time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes, a 15-minute mile pace. An event vehicle following the last starter will maintain a 15-minute mile pace indicating to event and traffic safety personnel when it is time to re-open the course to vehicular traffic. You must maintain a 15-minute per mile pace (approximately) or faster to receive full on-course support from aid stations and traffic safety personnel.

Participants who finish after 4 p.m. may not be recorded or published as official finishers and may not receive full on-course support from aid stations and traffic safety personnel.

CLOCKS & MILE MARKERS

Timing checkpoints are positioned at the start line, at each 5K, at the halfway point (13.1 miles) and at the finish line. Your MYLAPS ThinTag timing device will register split times at each of these checkpoints.

Digital clocks are positioned at the start line, every five kilometers the course and at the finish line to provide the elapsed race time. Kilometer markers are positioned at each 5K to assist you in locating the clocks. Signage will note each mile and kilometer marker on the course. Digital clocks at the finish line will display the elapsed race time of each wave, with the elapsed race time beginning at the start of each wave. Your individual race time may differ depending on when you cross the official start line.

PROHIBITED DEVICES ON COURSE

Wheeled devices are not permitted on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon course by anyone other than a registered and authorized wheelchair, handcycle and duo team participants. Prohibited wheeled devices include non-registered wheelchairs and handcycles, baby joggers, strollers, skateboards, rollerblades and bicycles. Motorized devices of any kind are prohibited.

The use of selfie-sticks, camera mounts, video devices, computers or any similar devices by anyone while participating in the event is prohibited.

Camelbaks® and any type of hydration backpack are not permitted. For the avoidance of doubt, fuel belts and hand-held water bottles are allowed. Please be aware you may be asked to empty the contents of these containers before entering Grant Park.

Music devices with headphones are permitted for use on the course; however, participants must be alert to their surroundings at all times and must pay attention to important announcements made in Grant Park and along the course. Music devices with headphones are not permitted for use by athletes in the American Development Program.

Additional prohibited items on the course route include, but are not limited to: large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags), hard-sided coolers, costumes covering the full face (except face coverings if mandated by governmental order), any non-forming bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body, props and non-running equipment, pets/animals (except for service animals that are trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability), alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, chairs, weapons, remote controlled aircrafts and drones.

Please note, any items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate will be confiscated at the sole discretion of security personnel.

STREET CLOSURES

For residents who live along the Bank of America Chicago Marathon course, and for those traveling to and from Chicago on race day, please be aware that extensive street closures will take place on race day. In addition, no parking zones along the course will be enforced in the early morning hours.

To be notified of street closure information when it becomes available, please fill out the below form.

WORLD ATHLETICS PLATINUM LABEL

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is recognized as a Platinum Label event by World Athletics, the world’s governing body for athletics. Platinum, gold, silver and bronze labels are given each year to road races that satisfy a number of important criteria concerning the organizational standards for an event, course measurement, safety and medical standards and media services. To learn more about World Athletics and Road Race Label Events visit worldathletics.org.