Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027 guide

Sun, Oct 10, 2027 · Chicago, IL, USA · Start 7:30 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Start and finish are both in Grant Park, on Columbus Drive.
Convenient areas to stay
The Loop and South Loop near Grant Park are walkable to the start. The expo is at McCormick Place, a short ride south.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date is confirmed. The start time, course, aid stations and expo hours are carried over from last year until the 2027 details are announced. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • Take the CTA; street closures near the start begin around 5:00 AM.
  • Start-area gates close before the first wave. Know your wave and corral.
  • Bib pickup is only at the McCormick Place expo.

Sources for Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027:

Race overview

Organizer
Bank of America
Date
Sun, Oct 10, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
7:30 AM
Start location
Grant Park, Columbus Drive
Finish location
Grant Park
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 25–26 · +24 ft

Significant descents

No notable descents on file.

Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +9 / −9 ft · Flat course through Grant Park and the Loop — no significant hills. Course totals ≈ 243 ft gain / 238 ft loss (source: FindMyMarathon GPS data; organizer publishes no totals).
  • Mile 1–2 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +9 / −9 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +24 / −9 ft · Short rise up the Roosevelt Road bridge in the final mile — the only noticeable climb.
  • Mile 26–26.2 +2 / −2 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib must be worn on the front of your shirt and be visible at all times. Photo ID required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. Gear check only at the designated tent. Headphones are discouraged; unregistered runners are prohibited.
Cutoff times
6 hour 30 minute course limit from the final wave start, enforced by a moving sweep from the back of the field.
Transportation
CTA trains and buses are the recommended way to reach Grant Park. Street closures near the start begin around 05:00 and start-area gates close before the first wave.
Other notes
World Marathon Majors race. Wave and corral assignments are on your bib. Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • McCormick Place — Lakeside Center

    2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL

    Fri, Oct 8, 20279:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Sat, Oct 9, 20279:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, timing tag and shirt are all collected at the expo. There is no race-morning packet pickup.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required. Third-party pickup requires the runner’s signed authorisation and a copy of their ID.
    Parking
    Paid parking on site at McCormick Place, approximately $25 per day.
    Transit
    CTA Green Line to Cermak-McCormick Place, or the expo shuttle from downtown hotels.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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