The Chicago Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday 11 October, with the elite start at 7:30am, which is 1:30pm in the UK. More than 55,000 runners set off from Grant Park, but 2026 entry is closed: to run, aim for the 2027 race (entries open 8 to 29 October 2026). To cheer, the « L » train and the neighbourhoods of Northalsted, Pilsen and Chinatown are all you need. Budget for an ESTA at $40.27 and a 6-hour time difference from London.
On 11 October 2026, more than 55,000 people will line up for the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Two kinds of reader land here: the one dreaming of a race number, and the one flying out to shout a friend or relative along from the kerb. The calendar is the same for both: with three weeks to go, every 2026 entry route is closed, while 2027 entries open on 8 October, the day the expo opens. This guide covers both angles, with times in Chicago time and UK time.
1. The 8 to 12 October 2026 weekend at a glance
Grant Park, start and finish of the 48th edition
According to the official future dates page, the race is held every year on the second Sunday of October. It starts and finishes in Grant Park, right in the city centre, and forms a 26.2-mile (42.195 km) loop through 29 neighbourhoods. Chicago is one of the World Marathon Majors, and most runner guides call it the flattest course on the circuit. The schedule below is in Chicago time (CT), followed by UK time (BST, as UK clocks only go back on 25 October):
The day-by-day programme
- Thursday 8 October, 10am to 6pm: expo at McCormick Place, free and open to the public. Race number pick-up is in person only, with your pick-up email and photo ID.
- Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, 9am to 6pm: the expo stays open. Saturday is the busiest day.
- Saturday 10 October, 7:30am: Abbott Chicago 5K (sold out).
- Sunday 11 October, 7:30am (1:30pm in the UK): elite start. Wave 1 at 7:35am (1:35pm), wave 2 at 8am (2pm), wave 3 at 8:35am (2:35pm).
- Sunday 11 October, from 9:30am: Grant Park opens to spectators and the « 27th Mile Post-Race Party » runs at Butler Field until 4pm.
The time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes and the course roads are closed from 6am to 4pm. The organisers broadcast the race on NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo, and list the live streams on their race-day broadcasts page. We have not confirmed a UK broadcaster for 2026, so check that page before race day.
2. Running it: 2026 is full, so aim for 2027
Six ways in, none open for 2026
The 2026 ballot closed in November 2025, charity places went on 15 September 2026 and the 5K is sold out, according to the official entry page. At best, a few packages from authorised tour operators may remain. The entry is non-refundable and non-transferable (selling it on means disqualification and a ban), and the last cancellation date is 7 October 2026.
For 2027, entries open on Thursday 8 October 2026 at 8am CT (2pm in the UK) and close on Thursday 29 October at 2pm CT (7pm in the UK). The ballot result is announced on 8 December 2026 and the race takes place on Sunday 10 October 2027. Fees are $250 for US residents and $260 for everyone else, before processing fees.
| Entry route | Guaranteed place | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ballot | No | Free to apply, and applying early changes nothing. A valid bank card is required, charged on selection. |
| Qualifying time | Yes | For 2027, ages 16-34: 2:50 (men), 3:20 (women and non-binary), on a certified marathon between 1 January 2025 and 29 October 2026. |
| Legacy | Yes | Five Chicago finishes in ten years. |
| Charity | Yes | Minimum fundraising of $2,200 (2026 rule), with more than 200 charities. International runners go through realbuzz. |
| Authorised tour operator | Yes | Entry billed by the operator, around €520 to €525 through French agencies, with accommodation. Not every operator sells to every country. |
| Chicago Distance Series | Yes | Finishing the Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago 13.1 and the marathon in the same year earns guaranteed entry to the following edition. |
No race number this year? Europe has alternatives: the Berlin Marathon on 27 September, or the European runcations that combine racing and travel.
3. From the UK: ESTA, flights, hotels and insurance
The ESTA: do it now
British citizens travel under the Visa Waiver Program: an ESTA is enough for a stay of up to 90 days, with a biometric passport, as the UK government’s travel advice explains. It costs $40.27 since 1 January 2026 according to TourMaG. It is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. Apply only on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov: look-alike sites charge double or triple.
The information requested can change. In December 2025 the CBP published a proposal to add questions, notably about social media. We have not found an official source confirming it has come into force: check the official form on the day you apply.
Flights, time difference and getting around
- Direct flights: London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare is served non-stop by several carriers, including British Airways, United and American Airlines, in roughly 8.5 hours outbound. We have no verified fares for this weekend from London: compare on the airline sites and book early.
- From the airport: the Blue Line reaches the centre in about 45 minutes. The « L » train costs $2.75 a ride, and the 3-day pass at $15 avoids the O’Hare surcharge.
- On race day: board before 5am. Roosevelt, Jackson and Washington/Wabash are the stations closest to Grant Park.
Where to stay
The South Loop and the Loop are 3 to 15 minutes’ walk from the finish. The official hotel is the Hilton Chicago (1,544 rooms, facing Grant Park), and places such as the Congress Plaza or the Best Western Grant Park come up in runner guides. No nightly rate for this weekend has been officially published: book early, as marathon weekend fills up months ahead. Note that the downtown hotel tax has reached 19% since March 2026 according to WTTW, on top of the listed price.
Health insurance
US medical costs are on another scale from the UK: several insurers quote emergency bills above $2,000, and the NHS and the UK GHIC do not cover you in the United States. A high medical cover limit (€500,000 or more is the benchmark most often quoted) is worth having, and since the race entry is non-refundable, cancellation cover deserves a look. The practical section at the end of the article brings together eSIM and insurance.
4. Budget: ballpark figures, not quotes
Tour operators publish packages, and the ranges below were noted on 20 September 2026 from two French operators, as a euro benchmark. Sportifs à bord offers 5 nights in a hotel from €830 (quad room) to €2,330 (single), and from €1,610 to €3,110 with an Air France flight, race entry at €525 extra. Planet Tours lists €710 to €3,522 depending on the formula, entry at €520 extra. UK operators publish their own prices on request.
- Runner, agency package: editorial estimate of €2,000 to €4,500 in total depending on comfort, race entry included. Built from French-market prices, so use it as a benchmark for a London departure.
- Supporter, 5 nights without a race number: editorial estimate of €1,200 to €2,200, flights and accommodation included, on the same French-market basis.
- Fixed costs: ESTA $40.27, 3-day CTA pass $15, Finish Line Viewing $30 (optional), insurance from €80 to €250 depending on the plan.
These totals are estimates calculated from the prices above, not official figures. Add meals, activities and the customary 18 to 20% tip in restaurants.
5. The course, mile by mile
The route is flat, with a few things worth knowing. The stretch under Lower Wacker Drive scrambles GPS at miles 1 to 5 and 24 to 26: trust the official mile markers. The streets are narrow and the crowds thick over the first miles. « Mount Roosevelt », a bump of about 8 m (25 ft) according to runner guides, rises less than 200 m from the finish. Atmosphere by section, from the community guide Chi.run:
| Miles | Area | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | Loop, River North | Thick crowds, bridges, GPS disrupted |
| 6 to 10 | Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview (Northalsted) | The best crowds, block parties at miles 7 to 9 |
| 13 to 15 | Wells, West Side | Halfway cheer zone, Charity Block Party at mile 15 |
| 14 to 18 | West Loop, Greektown, Medical District | Fewer spectators, little shade |
| 19 to 21 | Pilsen, Chinatown | Mariachi bands then lion dancers, very loud |
| 22 to 23 | Armour Square, Bronzeville | The quietest stretch, often the hardest |
| 26 | Roosevelt Road to Columbus Drive | Dense crowds all the way to the finish |
Aid stations and rules to know
- 20 aid stations, with four Culligan water refill stations for 2026 (around miles 5.7, 10.1, 15.7 and 20.3), a first.
- Maurten gels at miles 12.4 and 18.1, bananas around miles 20 to 23.
- Hydration backpacks are banned, while belts and handheld bottles are allowed. At bag drop, only the clear plastic bag handed out at the expo is accepted.
- Start corrals are very strictly controlled: arrive about 90 minutes before your start, with throwaway clothes for the wait before sunrise.
October weather
The median start temperature is around 11 °C (52 °F), with a historical range of 33 °F to 74 °F according to Chi.run. The heat of 2007 (88 °F) led to the race being halted, and the rules reserve the right to delay, suspend or cancel. No reliable forecast exists yet: check the one for race week and dress in layers.
6. Cheering: the spectator’s guide
See your runner several times without crossing the course
The course is served by the CTA « L » network, which lets you follow a runner at several points. Official rules to respect: stay on the pavement, do not cross the road, do not hand anything to runners, no confetti or chalk. Grant Park is reserved for runners until 9:30am. After that, the public can join the Runner Reunite meeting area at Butler Field, or buy a Finish Line Viewing ticket.
Where to stand
- Official cheer zones: mile 13 (Wacker, in front of the BofA Tower), mile 15 (Charity Block Party, Adams & Loomis), mile 26 (Michigan & Roosevelt), according to the cheer zones page.
- Party neighbourhoods: Northalsted at miles 7 to 9, Pilsen at mile 19, Chinatown at mile 21.
- Finish Line Viewing: $30 per person (free up to age 8), from 8:30am to 4pm, entrance at Michigan Ave & 11th St, non-refundable ticket to buy in advance, according to the official page.
A sample route by « L » train
| Mile | Station | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand (very busy, elites and wheelchairs) | Red |
| 8 to 9 | Addison, then Belmont | Red |
| 11 | Sedgwick (North Ave) | Brown |
| 19 | 18th (Pilsen) | Pink |
| 21 | Cermak-Chinatown | Red |
| 26 | Roosevelt (finish) | Red, Green, Orange |
7. Elite field and records to watch
The organisers describe the 2026 field as one of the deepest in the race’s history. In the men’s race, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the defending champion (2:02:23 in 2025), ran 2:00:28 in London in April 2026. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa defends her title and Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei returns to Chicago for the first time since 2019. In the wheelchair race, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug is chasing a fifth straight win, according to NBC Chicago.
The men’s course record remains 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, with a $50,000 bonus for anyone who beats it. The world record is now 1:59:30, set by Sabastian Sawe in London on 26 April 2026 and awaiting ratification, according to ESPN. In the women’s race, Ruth Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 (2024) is both the course record and the mixed-race world record. It was kept after her three-year suspension, handed down in October 2025 for a post-race test.
8. Before and after the race: what to do in Chicago
- Before: visit the expo on Thursday, quieter than Saturday, then have a pasta dinner (the official meal at Millennium Park needs booking). For Saturday night, book an Italian restaurant one to two months ahead.
- After, with heavy legs: an architecture cruise on the Chicago River is done sitting down, and the card in the first section offers the Chicago Architecture Center one. The race itself crosses the Chicago River six times, according to NBC Chicago.
- The big view: the Willis Tower Skydeck starts at $32 per adult according to Viator, and the CityPASS is around $142 to $144 for 5 attractions.
- Food: deep-dish pizza and the food scene, which our Lollapalooza guide covers for Chicago and the Great Lakes. On the Monday, some restaurants occasionally offer deals if you show your medal: to be confirmed for 2026.
Practical info before you fly
An eSIM saves you roaming charges for the official app, ride-hailing and tracking your runner. Activate it before take-off.
From €4 for 1 GB over 7 days, according to comparison sitesUS medical bills are high and the race entry is non-refundable: compare cover limits before you go.
Online quote depending on the length of your stayFrequently asked questions
What is the date of the Chicago Marathon 2026 and what time is it in the UK?
The marathon takes place on Sunday 11 October 2026 (48th edition). The elites start at 7:30am Chicago time, which is 1:30pm in the UK, then waves 1, 2 and 3 at 7:35am, 8am and 8:35am (1:35pm, 2pm and 2:35pm UK time). The time difference is 6 hours. Source: official timeline.
Can you still enter the Chicago Marathon 2026?
Not through the usual routes: the ballot closed in November 2025, charity entries on 15 September 2026 and the 5K is sold out. Only a few tour operator packages may remain. Check the official entry page.
When can you enter the Chicago Marathon 2027?
2027 entries open on Thursday 8 October 2026 at 8am CT (2pm in the UK) and close on 29 October 2026 at 2pm CT (7pm in the UK). The ballot result is announced on 8 December 2026, and the race takes place on 10 October 2027. Fees are $250 for US residents and $260 for everyone else.
Do British runners need a visa for Chicago?
No, an ESTA is enough for a stay of up to 90 days, with a biometric passport. It costs $40.27 and should only be requested on esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Check the form on the day you apply, as the information requested can change.
Where should you stand to cheer on runners in Chicago?
The liveliest neighbourhoods are Northalsted (miles 7 to 9), Pilsen (mile 19) and Chinatown (mile 21). The official cheer zones are at miles 13, 15 and 26. Grant Park is reserved for runners until 9:30am, then open through Runner Reunite or the $30 Finish Line Viewing ticket.
How much does a trip to the Chicago Marathon cost from the UK?
As an editorial estimate built from French-market prices, expect €2,000 to €4,500 for a runner on a package, race entry included, and €1,200 to €2,200 for a supporter over 5 nights. Packages listed by Sportifs à bord (€830 to €3,110 depending on flight and room) and Planet Tours (€710 to €3,522) exclude the race entry, billed at €520 to €525. UK operators publish their own prices on request.
How long before the marathon should you arrive in Chicago?
Arrive 2 to 3 days before the race. Any earlier and jet lag can rebound six to seven days after arrival, according to RunMotion. The return to Europe is tougher: do not plan to be back at work on the Monday.
Sources
- Chicago Marathon, future dates: date and second-Sunday-of-October rule
- Chicago Marathon, race-day timeline: start times
- Chicago Marathon, entry: entry routes, 2027 calendar, fees
- Chicago Marathon, race-day broadcasts: TV and streams
- Chicago Marathon, cheer zones: spectator zones
- Chicago Marathon, Finish Line Viewing: price and hours
- NBC Chicago, 2026 elite field
- ESPN, Sawe’s record in London
- GOV.UK, USA entry requirements: ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program
- TourMaG, ESTA 2026: fee (in French)
- WTTW, 19% hotel tax
- Chi.run, course and weather: unofficial community guide
- Sportifs à bord and Planet Tours: packages noted on 20 September 2026 (in French)
Information checked on 20 September 2026. Times, prices and entry conditions may change: confirm them on the official website before booking.
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