It's been less than two weeks since the 2025 Chicago Marathon ended, and registration for the 2026 Chicago Marathon is already opening.

From the perspective of world records, the Chicago Marathon is undoubtedly the fastest course in the world, since both the men's and women's marathon world records were set here. If you want to run a PB, Chicago is a good choice. However, for Chinese runners, jet lag is an issue.

The 2026 Chicago Marathon schedule is set,Are you planning to register?

Date:Sunday, October 11, 2026

Distance:42.195 km 

Start time:

Marathon pro/elite men and women: 7:30 AM (8:30 PM Beijing Time) 

First wave: 7:35 AM(8:35 PM Beijing Time)           

Second wave: 8:00 AM (9:00 PM Beijing Time)

Third wave: 8:35 AM(9:35 PM Beijing Time)

Start:Grant Park

Finish:Grant Park

Cut-off time:6 hours 30 minutes 59 seconds

Course information:

Total ascent: +74 m

Total descent: -73 m

The Chicago Marathon course is very flat, with almost no hills; it's arguably the easiest of the World Marathon Majors for fast times, although it can be very windy at times.

Registration URL:https://www.chicagomarathon.com/apply/

Registration period:October 21 (Thursday)—— November 18 (Thursday)

Lottery drawing:December 11: results will be notified by email.

Registration fee：Non-US residents 260 USD (approx.RMB 1852).US residents 250 USD.

Age requirement：Must be at least 16 years old (participants aged 16-17 require parental/guardian consent)

Registration tips:

1. The 2026 Chicago Marathon offers non-guaranteed entries (lottery) and guaranteed entries.

2. Runners who do not qualify for a guaranteed entry can enter the 2026 Chicago Marathon through the lottery. After the registration window closes, lottery selections determine the entrants; submitting multiple applications will not increase your chances of being selected.

3. When you receive the lottery result notification, the entry fee will be automatically deducted.

4. Guaranteed spots include: athletes who meet qualifying standards, consecutive finishers, deferred entrants, pregnancy/parental policy reserved spots, the high-performance athlete program, charity entries, tour operator entries, and Chicago Marathon Series finishers.

5. Qualifying times: see the chart below — stricter than the Boston Marathon's.

6、Runners who have completed the Chicago Marathon at least five times in the past 10 years are eligible for a guaranteed entry.

7. Runners who previously successfully applied to transfer their 2025 entry to 2026.

8. Runners who successfully canceled their 2025 entry under the maternity policy need to resubmit an application during the 2026 registration window and will not need to pay again.

9. High-performance athletes: men 2:25 or faster, women 2:45 or faster, non-binary 2:45 or faster; men's masters (40+) 2:35 or faster, women's masters (40+) 2:50 or faster, non-binary masters (40+) 2:50 or faster.

10. Charity entries require a minimum donation of US$2,200 (¥15,675).

11. For tour operator slots, see the relevant travel agencies.

12. If you complete the Chicago Series in 2025 — all three events(Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon), you will receive an entry.

The Chicago Marathon lottery registration process isn't complicated; just fill in the required information.Also, make sure you don't enter the wrong email address or bank card details.

Finally, good luck to everyone — may you all get in through the lottery!