About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Since its inaugural running in 1977, The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has developed a global reputation for its fast, record-setting course. Year after year The Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts representatives from more than 120 countries and all 50 of the United States to compete on this world stage, while the flat, city landscape and cool, fall climate combine to provide the best backdrop for posting records – personal, national and world. 

Capacity: 
45,000

Largest Field (total finishers):  33,633 - 2006

 Recent Participation:

Estimated Spectators: 
1.5 million

Prize purse: 
$579,000 ($125,000 to male and female champions)

Official Charities: 
65

World Records (Men): 
2:05:42 – Khalid Khannouchi, 1999
2:08:04 – Steve Jones, 1984
 
World Records (Women): 
2:17:18 – Paula Radcliffe, 2002
2:18:47 – Catherine Ndereba, 2001
 
World Debut Records: 
2:05:50 – Evans Rutto, 2003
2:06:54 – Ondoro Osoro, 1998

National Records (Men): 
Cayman Islands: 2:40:28 (Tony Keely, 2000)
Ecuador: 2:09:49 (Silvio Guerra, 1997)
Great Britain: 2:07:13 (Steve Jones, 1985)
Japan: 2:06:16 (Toshinari Takaoka, 2002)
Morocco: 2:05:42 (Khalid Khannouchi, 1999)
Peru: 2:11:36 (Miguel Mallqui, 1998) 
Uruguay: 2:12:48 (Nestor Garcia, 1999)