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Quick Takeaways
- Chicago is one of the six World Marathon Majors and counts toward the coveted Six Star medal.
- The course is famously flat and fast, which makes it beginner-friendly and a favorite for personal records.
- There are four ways to get in, including a beginner-friendly lottery and a charity route, so you do not need a qualifying time.
- The 2026 race is Sunday, October 11, 2026 (the 48th running).
- Charity fundraising minimums tend to be lower than Boston or New York.
- More than 1.7 million spectators line the course to cheer you on.
I ran the Chicago Marathon for the first time in 2014. Before that, I had started marathon training in my 20s for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll. Spoiler alert, I got scared and quit partway through, so committing to a full 26.2 felt like a huge leap. Then in 2013, I stood on the side of the Chicago Marathon course and fell in love with the whole electric scene. I remember thinking if I stood and watched the race again the following year, I’d truly regret it.
So I signed up. I grabbed a charity spot with Girls on the Run Chicago, a non-profit I love whose mission is teaching girls to find their voice and do something as empowering as running a 5K. Honestly, I was scared I wouldn’t hit my fundraising goal. But not nearly as scared as I was actually to run the thing.
Here’s what I learned that year, and what I still believe every time someone asks me where to begin: of all the World Marathon Majors, Chicago is the best first marathon major to run. It’s flat, welcoming, wildly fun to run, and far easier to get into than most people assume. If you have been dreaming about a bucket-list marathon but feel intimidated, this is your sign to make your way to the starting line.
Topics Included in this Post
- Quick Takeaways
- What Are the World Marathon Majors?
- What Makes a Great First Major (and Why It Matters)
- Chicago Has One of the Flattest, Fastest Major Courses
- Chicago Is One of the Easiest Majors to Get Into
- Run It for a Cause: The Charity Entry Route
- The Crowd Support Is Unmatched
- Chicago Starts Your Six Star Journey
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Your First Star Is Waiting
What Are the World Marathon Majors?
The Abbott World Marathon Majors are the biggest, most prestigious marathons on the planet, and finishing them is a genuine bucket-list achievement.
The series started in 2006 with five races: Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Tokyo was added in 2013.
Sydney joined as the seventh Major in 2025, and Cape Town has been confirmed as the eighth, set to debut in 2027. That makes Chicago one of the three major marathons in the USA, alongside Boston and New York.
Here’s the part that matters for you: completing the original six earns you the legendary Six Star medal. Chicago is one of those original six, so running it is a real, permanent step toward that goal.
What Makes a Great First Major (and Why It Matters)
Not every Major is built for a first-timer. Choosing the right one can be the difference between a magical day and a miserable one. When people ask me what to look for, I point to four things:
- Accessible entry so you can actually get a bib without a blazing qualifying time
- A forgiving course that is kind to your legs and your goals
- Strong crowd support to carry you through the hard miles
- Easy logistics so travel and marathon race morning do not add stress
Choosing the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as your first Major checks every one of these boxes. It offers three standout advantages right away: a flat and fast course, incredible crowd energy, and high accessibility through the general lottery. It is also one of the biggest marathons in the world, which means the whole operation is polished and first-timer friendly. That combination is exactly why Chicago is the best marathon for beginners chasing a Major.
If this is your very first full marathon, not just your first Major, start with my tips for first-time marathon runners before you commit to a marathon training plan.
Chicago Has One of the Flattest, Fastest Major Courses
Let’s talk about that course, because it is a big part of why Chicago is such a smart first race.
The Chicago Marathon is famous for being flat and fast. There is essentially one small hill near the finish (nicknamed “Mount Roosevelt”). Add in the October weather that comes with running one of the best fall marathons on the calendar, and you have ideal conditions for a strong debut or a personal record.
This is not hype. Chicago’s course is so fast that seven world records have been set here. The most recent came in 2024, when Ruth Chepngetich became the first woman ever to run under 2:10.
You are absolutely not chasing a world record on your first marathon, of course, but a course that helps the fastest humans on earth also happens to be a gentle, confidence-building place to run your first 26.2.
Related Post: For the full breakdown of the neighborhoods and what you will see along the way, I put together a complete Chicago Marathon weekend guide so you can plan the whole trip.
Chicago Is One of the Easiest Majors to Get Into
This is the section I wish someone had spelled out for me before my first Major, because the entry process scares off way more runners than it should.
Do you have to qualify for the Chicago Marathon?
No. Unlike Boston, which requires a tough qualifying time just to apply, Chicago gives you four different ways in:
- General Lottery (Non-Guaranteed): Apply during the application window (it typically opens at the end of October) and you are entered into a random drawing. Entry fees in 2026 were $250 for U.S. residents and $260 for non-U.S. residents.
- Guaranteed Time Qualifier: Meet the age-graded time qualification standards or the High Performance Division criteria and your spot is guaranteed if you apply during the application period.
- Legacy and Distance Series: You automatically qualify if you have an official time for the Chicago Marathon five or more times in the last 10 years, or if you complete the Chicago Distance Series (the Shamrock Shuffle, the Chicago 13.1, and the Chicago Marathon) the year before.
- Charity and Tour Groups: Fundraise for an official charity partner or purchase an all-inclusive travel package through an authorized tour operator (if you’re an international runner).
That is the whole reason Chicago works so well as a first Major. Boston doesn’t have a lottery and requires you to submit a qualifying time (unless you run Boston for a charity) to enter. The lotteries for New York and London have very slim acceptance rates. And Tokyo has multiple checkpoints you need to clear to stay on the course (pretty stressful).
Chicago hands you multiple front doors, and at least one of them is open to almost everyone.
Pro Tip: If you’re running a marathon, you’re going to need some good running gear. Get my favorite running items, shop on Amazon.
Run It for a Cause: The Charity Entry Route
If the lottery does not go your way, the charity route might be my favorite path in, and not just because it is how I got my first bib.
Running for an official charity partner gives you a guaranteed spot and a bigger reason to lace up on marathon race day. You are not just chasing a finish line; you are raising money for something that matters. For a nervous first-timer, that sense of purpose is a powerful thing to hold onto around mile 20.
The best part for your budget: Chicago’s charity fundraising minimums vary by organization, but they often start around $2,200, which is lower than what Boston or New York ask of their charity runners. That makes the mission far more attainable for a first-timer.
The Crowd Support Is Unmatched
I will keep this short, because you really have to feel it to believe it.
The Chicago Marathon runs through 29 distinct neighborhoods, and more than 1.7 million spectators come out to cheer. The energy shifts block by block, from the roar of downtown to the dragon dancers in Chinatown and the heart of Pilsen.
On a hard day, those crowds genuinely carry you.
It is also a well-supported course for safety and fueling, with hydration and medical stations placed every one to two miles. As a first-timer, knowing help and a cup of water are never far away takes a real weight off your shoulders (and it breaks up the course into smaller, manageable pieces).
Related Post: Get tips for spectating a marathon with this marathon spectating guide.
Chicago Starts Your Six Star Journey
Here is the dream I want to plant before you go.
The Six Star medal is awarded to runners who complete all six of the original Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. It is one of the most prestigious achievements in all of running. You can run the six in any order as part of your unique running journey.
So when you cross that finish line in Grant Park, you are not just finishing your first marathon. You are earning star number one of six. Chicago is the perfect place to begin a six-star marathon journey, because it sets the tone: joyful, welcoming, and entirely doable.
The other stars can come later, one incredible city at a time.
Related Post: Have you considered manifesting your marathon dreams? Here is a post with tips to manifest the perfect marathon (or your dream marathon).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, joining top races like Boston, London, and New York. It is one of just three World Majors held in the United States.
There are now eight. The original six are Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City, and those six are what count toward the Six Star medal. Sydney joined as the seventh in 2025, and Cape Town was confirmed as the eighth, debuting in 2027.
No. There are four ways in: the general lottery (a random, non-guaranteed drawing), a guaranteed time qualifier, the Legacy and Distance Series route, and a charity or tour group entry. Only one of those requires a qualifying time.
The standard entry fee in 2026 was $250 for U.S. residents and $260 for non-U.S. residents. If you enter through a charity, you commit to a fundraising minimum instead, which varies by organization but often starts around $2,200.
The application window typically opens in late October. The window for the 2027 race is expected to open in late October 2026, so mark your calendar.
The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026. It is the 48th running of the race.
Your First Star Is Waiting
If you have been circling the idea of running one of the World Marathon Majors but keep talking yourself out of it, let Chicago be the one that finally gets you to the start line. It is flat, it is friendly, it is easy to get into, and it is genuinely one of the best first marathon experiences you can give yourself. Twelve years later, I would still choose it all over again.
When you are ready to plan the whole weekend, I have you covered. Read my full Chicago Marathon weekend guide for more details on what to do once you arrive in the Second City.
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