The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, featuring a massive turnout of more than 55,000 runners. Participants from all 50 U.S. states and over 130 countries have registered to navigate the 26.2-mile course, which winds through 29 of the city’s neighborhoods. The event both starts and finishes in Grant Park, with a series of staggered waves ensuring a smooth flow for the diverse fields of competitors.
The race day proceedings begin early, with the professional wheelchair divisions taking to the course at 7:20 a.m. Handcycle athletes follow shortly after at 7:23 a.m., with elite men’s and women’s runners scheduled for a 7:30 a.m. start. Recreational participants will begin their journey in three separate waves, starting at 7:35 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 8:35 a.m. Spectators are welcome to enter Grant Park starting at 9:30 a.m., where the “27th Mile” post-race party will be held until 4:00 p.m.
To assist those following the event, organizers have launched live runner tracking through the official ChiMarathon app. Users can track up to 20 participants by adding them to a favorites list, while the app also provides access to interactive course maps and race photos. The platform is available for download on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Television coverage for the Chicago market begins at 7:00 a.m. on NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago, and TeleXitos. Digital streaming options are also available through station websites, apps, and various platforms such as YouTube and Peacock. Significant street closures are expected throughout the city to accommodate the marathon route, with many closures beginning as early as 6:00 a.m. Organizers have advised both runners and spectators to check local listings and plan their travel accordingly as the event unfolds across the city's thoroughfares.
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