CHICAGO

In 1976, a small band of running enthusiasts met at the Metropolitan YMCA on LaSalle Street to discuss and plan a marathon in Chicago.

This founding group realized their vision on September 25, 1977, when they hosted 4,200 local participants in the first Chicago Marathon.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has since expanded to more than 45,000 finishers and an estimated 1.7 million on-course spectators. The flat and fast course begins and ends in historic Grant Park, sweeping through 29 diverse and colorful neighborhoods including Lakeview, Greektown, Little Italy, Pilsen, Chinatown, and Bronzeville.

The loop course and abundance of public transportation options enables friends and family to cheer their runners on at many locations along the course.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a long history of hosting the world’s fastest runners and has been the site of three men’s world records (Steve Jones, 2:08:05, 1984; Khalid Khannouchi, 2:05:42, 1999; and Kelvin Kiptim, 2:00:35, 2023) and three women’s world records (Catherine Ndereba, 2:18:47, 2001; Paula Radcliffe, 2:17:18, 2002; and Brigid Kosgei, 2:14:04, 2019).

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