When is the chicago marathon 2027? The official Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2027, according to the race organizer. The 2027 event will be the 49th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the application process is opening today, October 8, 2026.
The Chicago Marathon traditionally takes place on the second Sunday of October. The organizer has listed October 10, 2027, as the anticipated race date and has now specifically confirmed the date in its 2027 application information.
For runners planning to compete in Chicago next year, October 10 is the key date to remember. The race is scheduled to bring thousands of participants onto Chicago’s streets for the 26.2-mile event.
When Is the Chicago Marathon 2027?
The 2027 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 10, 2027.
The date has been confirmed by the official Chicago Marathon organization as part of its 2027 application information. The event will be the 49th running of the marathon.
The race follows Chicago’s established calendar pattern. The marathon is held on the second Sunday of October, providing a consistent date for runners, residents, volunteers and others affected by the event.
For 2027, the calendar places the second Sunday of October on October 10.
Key 2027 Chicago Marathon details
| Detail | 2027 Information |
|---|---|
| Race | Bank of America Chicago Marathon |
| Race date | Sunday, October 10, 2027 |
| Running | 49th |
| Distance | 26.2 miles |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Start/finish area | Grant Park area |
| Application opening | October 8, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 29, 2026 |
| Non-guaranteed drawing notification | December 8, 2026 |
| U.S. resident standard entry fee | $250 |
| U.S. charity entry fee | $325 |
The organizer notes that the future-date schedule is designed to create consistency and predictability around the marathon. However, future dates can remain subject to change.
For the 2027 race, though, the official application page identifies October 10, 2027, as the date of the 49th running.
Chicago Marathon 2027 Date Is October 10
The most important update for runners is straightforward: the 2027 Chicago Marathon is scheduled for October 10, 2027.
That places race day approximately one year after the 2026 Chicago Marathon, which is scheduled for October 11, 2026.
The 2027 date also fits the marathon’s long-established October schedule. Chicago’s race calendar generally places the marathon on the second Sunday of October.
Runners preparing for the 2027 event can therefore build their training schedule around October 10. Because marathon preparation often takes several months, knowing the official race date well in advance gives participants substantial time to organize training, qualifying races and travel plans.
The date is especially important for runners pursuing a guaranteed entry through qualifying standards because the Chicago Marathon uses the athlete’s age on race day when applying its qualifying standards.
When Does Chicago Marathon 2027 Registration Open?
Applications for the 2027 Bank of America Chicago Marathon open at 8 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The application window is scheduled to remain open for three weeks.
The official deadline is 2 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
This applies to the guaranteed and non-guaranteed entry application process.
Runners who want to participate should pay attention to the deadline rather than assuming that applying earlier improves their chances in the non-guaranteed drawing.
According to the official application information, the timing of an application during the drawing window does not affect an applicant’s chances of selection.
There is also no fee to apply for the non-guaranteed drawing.
How Does the 2027 Chicago Marathon Drawing Work?
Runners who do not qualify for one of the guaranteed entry opportunities can apply through the non-guaranteed entry drawing.
The application period runs from October 8 through October 29, 2026.
After the application window closes, names will be selected from the complete pool of non-guaranteed applications.
Applicants will receive their entry-status notification on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
Those selected through the drawing must complete registration and pay the required entry fee. The payment deadline for selected drawing applicants is 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
Failing to complete payment and registration by the deadline means the applicant will not be registered for the race and will not receive a bib.
The organizer also states that submitting multiple applications does not increase an individual’s chances. Duplicate applications are removed before the drawing.
What Is the 2027 Chicago Marathon Entry Fee?
The standard 2027 entry fee for a U.S. resident is $250.
The official fee structure lists the following amounts:
- U.S. residents: $250
- Non-U.S. residents: $260
- U.S. residents entering through the charity program: $325
- Non-U.S. charity participants: $335
A processing fee is also applied to entry fees.
The standard entry fee is collected after an application has been approved or an applicant has been selected through the drawing. Applicants who do not complete the payment process by the applicable deadline will lose their place.
The charity entry fee includes an additional amount that directly supports the event’s Charity Program.
Who Can Get a Guaranteed Entry to the 2027 Chicago Marathon?
Not every runner has to rely on the drawing.
The Chicago Marathon offers several guaranteed-entry pathways for eligible participants. These include qualifying through an official time standard, the Legacy Finisher program, the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, certain cancellation policies, the Charity Program, official tour operators, the High Performance Program and the Para Athletics Program.
The time-qualifier route is particularly important for experienced marathon runners.
For the 2027 race, applicants must provide a qualifying marathon result from the designated qualifying period. The qualifying window runs from January 1, 2025, through October 29, 2026.
The qualifying marathon must be completed on a certified course, and the result must meet the applicable time standard.
2027 Chicago Marathon Time Qualifying Standards
The official time standards depend on age and division.
For runners ages 16 through 34, the standards are:
- Men: 2:50:00
- Women: 3:20:00
- Non-binary: 3:20:00
For ages 35 through 39:
- Men: 2:55:00
- Women: 3:25:00
- Non-binary: 3:25:00
For ages 40 through 44:
- Men: 3:00:00
- Women: 3:30:00
- Non-binary: 3:30:00
For ages 45 through 49:
- Men: 3:10:00
- Women: 3:40:00
- Non-binary: 3:40:00
For ages 50 through 54:
- Men: 3:15:00
- Women: 3:50:00
- Non-binary: 3:50:00
For ages 55 through 59:
- Men: 3:25:00
- Women: 3:55:00
- Non-binary: 3:55:00
For ages 60 through 64:
- Men: 3:40:00
- Women: 4:15:00
- Non-binary: 4:15:00
For ages 65 through 69:
- Men: 3:55:00
- Women: 4:30:00
- Non-binary: 4:30:00
For ages 70 through 74:
- Men: 4:15:00
- Women: 4:45:00
- Non-binary: 4:45:00
For ages 75 through 79:
- Men: 4:30:00
- Women: 5:00:00
- Non-binary: 5:00:00
For runners age 80 and older:
- Men: 4:50:00
- Women: 5:20:00
- Non-binary: 5:20:00
The qualifying standards are based on the athlete’s age on October 10, 2027, the scheduled race date.
Only marathon results that meet the event’s requirements qualify. Half-marathon and 50K results do not count toward the marathon time standard.
Can You Enter the 2027 Chicago Marathon Through Charity?
Yes. The official Charity Program provides another guaranteed-entry route.
Charity entries are available on a first-come, first-served basis until September 10, 2027, or until the participating charity reaches its capacity.
The minimum fundraising requirement is $2,500.
For U.S. residents, the charity entry fee is $325. Non-U.S. residents pay $335 for the charity entry.
Each participating charity manages its own team structure, participant benefits and fundraising requirements. Therefore, runners considering this route should review the requirements of the specific official charity they choose.
Only charities included in the official Chicago Marathon Charity Program can provide access through this guaranteed-entry route.
What About the Chicago Marathon Legacy Entry?
The Legacy Finisher program provides a guaranteed entry opportunity for eligible repeat Chicago Marathon participants.
The official 2027 application information states that people who have completed five or more Bank of America Chicago Marathons within the last 10 years can register for the 2027 race with guaranteed entry.
This makes the Legacy program an important option for experienced Chicago Marathon participants who have established a history with the race.
Past participation alone does not automatically provide guaranteed entry. Runners must meet the applicable requirements for the Legacy Finisher pathway.
Can the Chicago Distance Series Lead to a 2027 Entry?
Yes, but the timing matters.
Runners who completed all three 2026 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events can qualify for guaranteed entry into the 2027 Chicago Marathon.
The three events are the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon.
This provides another route for eligible runners who completed the full 2026 series.
The 2027 Distance Series also has a separate benefit. Participants who complete all three 2027 events will receive a unique series medal and guaranteed entry into the 50th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2028.
The 2027 Shamrock Shuffle is scheduled for March 21, 2027, while Chicago 13.1 is scheduled for June 6, 2027. The Chicago Marathon then follows on October 10.
What Is the 2027 Chicago Marathon Course?
The Chicago Marathon is a 26.2-mile race through Chicago.
The event’s official information describes the course as an architectural and cultural tour through 29 Chicago neighborhoods.
The marathon starts in the Grant Park area and takes runners through the city’s streets before the race concludes near the downtown finish area.
The course has become one of the defining features of the event. Runners experience multiple neighborhoods and sections of the city during the 26.2-mile journey.
While the 2027 race date and application information are confirmed, runners should rely on the event organizer for any future changes to race-day logistics, course details, wave assignments and schedules.
What Should Runners Know About Race Day?
The scheduled race date is Sunday, October 10, 2027.
The Chicago Marathon requires participants to be at least 16 years old on race day. Participants younger than 18 must have a parent or legal guardian complete the required registration responsibilities.
Race materials must be collected in person at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. Participants are required to pick up their own participant packet, including their bib and timing device, and must present government-issued photo identification that matches the name used during registration.
The organizer has not yet provided every detailed race-week schedule for the 2027 marathon. Runners should therefore watch the official event information as additional details are released.
How Far Away Is the 2027 Chicago Marathon?
For runners looking ahead from October 8, 2026, the race is scheduled for roughly one year later.
The 2027 Chicago Marathon will occur on October 10, 2027, giving prospective participants significant preparation time.
That extended window can be especially useful for runners planning to qualify through time. The qualifying period for the 2027 marathon ends on October 29, 2026, however, so athletes seeking a time-qualifier entry need to satisfy the applicable requirements before that deadline.
Runners entering through the general drawing do not need to submit a qualifying marathon time to apply for non-guaranteed entry.
What Happens After the 2027 Chicago Marathon Application?
The next major milestone after the application period is the drawing notification.
The application period closes at 2 p.m. Central Time on October 29, 2026.
Non-guaranteed applicants will receive their entry status on December 8, 2026.
Selected applicants then have until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on December 15 to pay the entry fee and complete registration.
Guaranteed-entry applications follow their own approval and payment process. Applicants using qualifying pathways must submit the required documentation and meet the applicable requirements.
For runners who want to compete in Chicago in 2027, these deadlines are just as important as the race date itself.
When Is the Chicago Marathon 2027? Key Dates to Remember
The answer to when is the chicago marathon 2027 is Sunday, October 10, 2027.
For runners planning their participation, several additional dates matter:
- October 8, 2026: 2027 applications open at 8 a.m. Central Time.
- October 29, 2026: Applications close at 2 p.m. Central Time.
- December 8, 2026: Non-guaranteed applicants receive entry-status notifications.
- December 15, 2026: Selected drawing applicants must complete payment by 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
- September 10, 2027: Charity entries are scheduled to remain available until this date or until capacity is reached.
- October 10, 2027: 49th Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
These dates give runners a clear timeline from application through race day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chicago Marathon 2027?
The 2027 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 10, 2027.
What number Chicago Marathon will take place in 2027?
The 2027 event will be the 49th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
When do applications for the 2027 Chicago Marathon open?
Applications open at 8 a.m. Central Time on October 8, 2026.
When does the 2027 Chicago Marathon application close?
The application period closes at 2 p.m. Central Time on October 29, 2026.
When will drawing applicants learn if they were selected?
Applicants using the non-guaranteed drawing are scheduled to receive their entry-status notification on December 8, 2026.
How much is the 2027 Chicago Marathon entry fee for U.S. residents?
The standard entry fee for U.S. residents is $250, before the applicable processing fee.
Can runners qualify for guaranteed entry through a marathon time?
Yes. The Chicago Marathon offers guaranteed entry to runners who meet the official time-qualifying standards and satisfy the required documentation and qualifying-window rules.
Can runners enter through a charity?
Yes. Official Charity Program participants can receive guaranteed entry. The minimum fundraising requirement is $2,500, although individual charities may have their own requirements.
Is the 2027 Chicago Marathon date confirmed?
The official Chicago Marathon application information confirms October 10, 2027, as the date of the 49th running. The organizer also notes that future event dates can be subject to change.
The 2027 Chicago Marathon is now firmly marked on the running calendar, with October 10, 2027, set as the scheduled race day and the application process beginning October 8, 2026.
If you are planning to run Chicago in 2027, mark October 10 on your calendar now and keep checking the official event updates as race-day details continue to be released.