Chicago Marathon
Chicago, United States
The Chicago Marathon winds through 29 diverse neighbourhoods on a flat, fast course with exceptional crowd support. The finish line in Grant Park, with skyline views, is one of the most memorable in marathon running.
Race profile
Date
Second Sunday in October
Course type
Loop
Elevation
Flat
Established
1977
Typical race-day weather
Cool, can be windy — good PB conditions in most years
Warm conditions can significantly affect marathon performance. Use the Heat Adjusted Pace calculator to adjust your target pace on warmer race days.
How to enter
Ballot entry
Entry by lottery or charity place
Pace planning for Chicago Marathon
Tools to help you race smart
Race Time Predictor
Estimate your marathon finish time
Pace Calculator
Convert pace, speed, distance and time
Pace Band Generator
Print a split-by-split pace band
Negative Split Calculator
Plan a faster second half
GAP Calculator
Adjust effort for hills
Heat Adjusted Pace
Correct target pace for warm conditions
Chicago Marathon — common questions
Is the Chicago Marathon a fast course?
The Chicago Marathon is flat — it is a loop course. Typical race-day temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C. Cool, can be windy — good PB conditions in most years.
When is the Chicago Marathon?
The Chicago Marathon is typically held in October. The usual date is the Second Sunday in October.
How do I enter the Chicago Marathon?
Entry by lottery or charity place
How do I pace myself at the Chicago Marathon?
Use the RunReps Race Time Predictor to estimate your finish time based on a recent race result, then the Pace Band Generator to create split-by-kilometre targets. The flat course makes consistent pacing straightforward — a slight negative split (faster second half) is the optimal strategy.