CHICAGOMARATHON
The Windy City Classic — Fast, flat, and phenomenal. Where world records are made and 29 neighborhoods cheer you home.
The History of Chicago
A tour of the Windy City
The Chicago Marathon was born in 1977, during the first running boom. What started as a local race has grown into one of the world's fastest and most beloved marathons, known for its incredible crowd support and iconic urban course.
The course is a tour of Chicago, winding through 29 diverse neighborhoods. Runners experience the city's incredible diversity—from the skyscrapers of the Loop to the vibrant streets of Pilsen, from Chinatown to Boystown, each neighborhood bringing its own energy.
Chicago's flat course and typically cool October weather have made it a favorite for runners chasing personal bests. The course has produced multiple world records, including Kelvin Kiptum's stunning 2:00:35 in 2023—the first time a human ran under 2:01.
The race starts and finishes in Grant Park, with the Chicago skyline providing a dramatic backdrop. The final stretch down Columbus Drive, with the city's towers rising ahead, is one of the most inspiring finishes in marathon running.
Chicago is known for its crowd support. An estimated 1.7 million spectators line the course, creating a wall of sound that carries runners through the final miles. It's often called the friendliest major marathon.
Legendary Moments
The races that made Chicago legendary
The First Chicago Marathon
The inaugural Chicago Marathon draws 4,200 runners. The race quickly establishes itself as a premier American marathon with its flat, fast course.
Steve Jones' World Record
Steve Jones of Wales runs 2:08:05, setting a world record and establishing Chicago as a world record course. The time stands as a world best for over a year.
Khalid Khannouchi's First Record
Khalid Khannouchi runs 2:05:42, breaking the world record. He would go on to set another world record in Chicago in 2002.
The Heat Race
Extreme heat forces organizers to stop the race mid-event. The incident leads to improved safety protocols across all major marathons.
Dennis Kimetto's 2:03:45
Dennis Kimetto runs the second-fastest marathon ever at the time, proving Chicago's credentials as one of the world's fastest courses.
Kelvin Kiptum's 2:00:35
Kelvin Kiptum shatters the world record with 2:00:35, becoming the first human to break 2:01. Chicago witnesses history.
Chicago Champions
The legends who conquered the Windy City
Khalid Khannouchi
USA/Morocco • 1999, 2000, 2002
Paula Radcliffe
UK • 2002 (WR 2:17:18)
Liliya Shobukhova
Russia • 2009, 2010, 2011
Mo Farah
UK • 2018 (European Record)
Kelvin Kiptum
Kenya • 2023 (World Record)
Own a Piece of Chicago History
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