The Chicago Marathon prize money for 2025 is bigger and more ambitious than ever before. With a total purse of $913,000, plus record-breaking bonuses that could push individual winnings even higher, this year’s race is set to reward top performers across multiple divisions. From world-class marathoners to American elite runners, masters athletes, and wheelchair competitors, the financial stakes on Sunday, October 12, 2025 are exceptionally high.
The Chicago Marathon has long been one of the crown jewels of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and its prize structure plays a major role in attracting the world’s best athletes. Here’s a detailed, SEO-optimized breakdown of Chicago Marathon prize money for 2025—who gets paid, how much they can earn, and why it matters for the sport.
Open Division: The Largest Share of the Prize Purse
The Open Division (men’s and women’s elite runners) receives the largest portion of the prize pool, reflecting the marquee competition that draws millions of spectators and global TV audiences.
The top five finishers in both the men’s and women’s races will take home significant payouts:
- 1st Place: $100,000
- 2nd Place: $75,000
- 3rd Place: $50,000
- 4th Place: $30,000
- 5th Place: $25,000
On top of these amounts, there’s a $50,000 course record bonus available to any athlete who breaks the current course record. That means the fastest runner of the day could potentially earn up to $150,000, depending on their finishing time.
This structure matches the growing global trend of rewarding record-breaking performances. Chicago’s flat and fast course has historically been one of the best stages for world records, and this bonus ensures that top runners will be pushing for extraordinary times, not just podium positions.
American Finisher Awards: Boosting Domestic Competition
In addition to the global elite payouts, the Chicago Marathon offers a separate American prize pool to reward top U.S. finishers. This is designed to encourage more American athletes to compete at the highest level, even if they are not among the overall top finishers.
The payouts for the top five American men and women are:
- 1st American Finisher: $15,000
- 2nd American Finisher: $10,000
- 3rd American Finisher: $7,000
- 4th American Finisher: $5,000
- 5th American Finisher: $3,000
These awards have proven to be a powerful incentive in recent years, with top American runners often targeting Chicago specifically because of this added financial reward. It allows them to earn competitive paydays even when facing world-class international athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, and elsewhere.
For rising American stars, finishing as the top U.S. runner can also lead to increased sponsorship deals and Olympic qualification boosts, making these awards strategically important.
Masters Division: Honoring Veteran Excellence
The Masters Division, reserved for athletes aged 40 and above, has a smaller but meaningful prize pool. This division acknowledges experienced runners who continue to compete at a high level, often achieving remarkable times despite being well past their athletic peak.
The Masters payouts for both men and women are:
- 1st Place: $2,000
- 2nd Place: $1,500
- 3rd Place: $1,000
Though the sums are modest compared to the Open Division, these prizes celebrate longevity and competitive spirit. Many Masters athletes train with the same discipline as elite runners and regularly post times that rival younger competitors. Chicago’s inclusion of a Masters purse ensures the event recognizes contributions across multiple generations of athletes.
Wheelchair Division: Record Bonuses Elevate the Stakes
The Wheelchair Division has grown rapidly in prestige and competitiveness, and Chicago has positioned itself as a leader in supporting wheelchair racing. The payouts for 2025 reflect this commitment:
- 1st Place: $40,000
- 2nd Place: $30,000
- 3rd Place: $20,000
- 4th Place: $15,000
- 5th Place: $10,000
- 6th Place: $5,000
- Course Record Bonus: $50,000
This means a wheelchair athlete who wins and sets a new course record can earn up to $90,000, a figure that rivals many of the world’s top running events. Chicago is one of the few major marathons to offer parity in record bonuses between wheelchair and open divisions, underscoring the race’s inclusive approach to elite competition.
The wheelchair fields in Chicago have consistently featured international stars, with close finishes and record-breaking performances becoming more frequent. This prize structure ensures that trend continues.
Overall Prize Structure Summary
To give a clear overview, here’s the complete 2025 prize breakdown in table form:
| Division | First Place | Payout Depth | Record Bonus | Maximum Possible Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open (Men & Women) | $100,000 | Top 5 | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| American Finisher | $15,000 | Top 5 | N/A | $15,000 |
| Masters (40+) | $2,000 | Top 3 | N/A | $2,000 |
| Wheelchair (Men & Women) | $40,000 | Top 6 | $50,000 | $90,000 |
This structured payout system reflects a blend of tradition and innovation. Chicago rewards excellence at the very top, supports domestic talent, honors veteran athletes, and promotes inclusivity through its wheelchair payouts.
Why the Chicago Marathon Prize Money Structure Matters
The size and structure of the Chicago Marathon prize money are about more than just numbers—they shape the competitive landscape of the race.
- Attracting the World’s Best Runners
The top-level payouts and bonuses make Chicago a prime target for elite athletes from across the globe. Competing here can mean a six-figure payday and global recognition. - Encouraging Fast Times
The record bonuses have turned the race into one of the most exciting courses for world-class performances. Athletes aren’t just racing each other; they’re racing against the clock. - Strengthening Domestic Competition
By offering separate American prizes, Chicago motivates U.S. athletes to stay and compete on home soil rather than focusing solely on international races. - Promoting Inclusivity
Wheelchair athletes have often been underpaid in major events, but Chicago’s structure rewards their excellence equally and helps grow the sport. - Boosting Spectator Excitement
High financial stakes often lead to more aggressive racing strategies, thrilling finishes, and storylines that capture public interest and media coverage.
Course Record Bonuses: The Game-Changer
The $50,000 course record bonus has become one of the most defining features of the Chicago Marathon’s prize structure. Chicago’s flat, fast course is ideal for record attempts, and over the years, several world records have fallen here.
When elite runners know they can double their winnings by chasing a record, the entire race dynamic changes. Instead of tactical, slow early miles, top competitors often set blistering paces from the start. This makes Chicago one of the most exciting marathons to watch, with both fans and broadcasters eagerly following split times.
For wheelchair athletes, record bonuses have similar effects. Chicago’s commitment to awarding identical bonuses for wheelchair divisions places it at the forefront of equality in competitive road racing.
Global Context: Where Chicago Stands
In the landscape of major international marathons, Chicago is consistently among the top races for prize money.
- Berlin Marathon often focuses on record-breaking bonuses but has a smaller base purse.
- London Marathon features enormous appearance fees for elite athletes but slightly different prize structures.
- New York City Marathon has a larger total purse, but Chicago’s flat course makes it more attractive for runners targeting fast times and bonuses.
- Tokyo and Boston offer high prestige but different incentive structures.
Chicago’s mix of high base payouts, American awards, Masters prizes, and large bonuses makes it uniquely balanced, appealing to both global stars and domestic competitors.
Impact on Athletes and the Sport
For elite marathoners, the Chicago Marathon isn’t just about medals or titles—it’s about career-changing earnings. A victory and course record can secure financial stability, sponsorships, and long-term visibility.
For American athletes, finishing as the top U.S. runner can lead to Olympic team spots, professional contracts, and increased media exposure. For Masters athletes, the prizes provide recognition for their lifelong dedication to the sport. And for wheelchair racers, these payouts represent respect, opportunity, and global competitive growth.
Final Thoughts
The Chicago Marathon prize money for 2025 shows just how much the event has evolved into a global showcase of talent, speed, and inclusivity. With $913,000 in guaranteed payouts and major bonuses on the line, the race will attract world-class competitors eager to test themselves on one of the fastest courses on the planet.
Who do you think will walk away with the biggest payday this year? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as race day approaches!