How to Register and Take Part in the Chicago Marathon?

The Chicago Marathon is one of the largest running events in the world 🤯. It’s part of the prestigious World Marathon Majors, alongside Boston, New York, London, Berlin, Tokyo and Sydney 🌎. If you’re passionate about the ultimate distance, participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a dream that can come true if you plan ahead ⌚. Although the number of registration requests for the World Marathon Majors 🏅 has skyrocketed over the years, resulting in bib shortages every year, it’s still possible to try and secure that coveted spot at the starting line! Here, we explain everything you need to know to register and finally grab that much-coveted bib! 🤩

1/ The Lottery: The Most Used yet Most Random Method! 😬

Yes, for the majority of participants, it all starts with the famous lottery entry 🤑. It's the most common way to secure a bib for the Chicago Marathon. Each year, thousands of spots are allocated this way, making the race accessible to all types of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes. Typically, the lottery registration opens at the beginning of October for the next year's edition 🗓️. You generally have one month to register for the lottery and submit your application. Of course, only one entry per person is allowed! ☝️ But how does it actually work? You need to sign up using the online form on the official marathon website and hope for some luck! 🤞 If selected, you will receive a notification 🔔 a few weeks later, informing you that you are among the lucky ones who will get to run through the grand avenues of Chicago! 🎉 On average, about 10% of applicants manage to secure a bib, but the odds can vary from year to year. So, yes, it might not seem like much, but given the number of entries in the lottery ✅, it's still a significant number of runners! 🤯 However, this system is very random and might take several attempts before hitting the jackpot 🎁. Even though it’s a lottery, don’t wait until the last minute to register! ⚠️

Photo Credit: Bank of America Chicago Marathon

2/ Performance Qualifying: The Fast Pass of World Majors ⏱️

Are you a timing wizard with some speed in your sneakers? 👟 Then direct qualification might be your golden ticket to Chicago! 🎫 The rules are simple: run fast, really fast 🚀. The Chicago Marathon has specific qualifying times, similar to Boston, which vary based on age and gender 👩. For instance, for a man between 18 and 34 years old, you need to complete a marathon certified by the IAAF in under 3 hours within the period of January 2022 to November 2023 (for the 2024 edition). For a woman of the same age group, the minimum time is 3 hours 30 minutes. These are certainly challenging times not attainable by all runners, even those who’ve been training relentlessly for years 😣. However, if you manage to break through this speed barrier 💥, you can see your name on the participant list of this iconic race in the USA and avoid the lottery stress! 😝 The qualification times for Chicago are less stringent than those for New York, which offers more chances to qualify through performance 😉.

Photo Credit: Bank of America Chicago Marathon

3/ Charity Programs: Run and Fund Research 💰

This option is perfect for runners with a big heart who wish to support a charity of their choice 🎗️. Many bibs for this World Major are allocated through charitable organizations. The idea is simple: run to raise funds for a cause you care about 💝. To do this, simply join a marathon partner organization and pledge to raise a minimum donation amount that will go entirely to the charity. Moreover, the Chicago Marathon is renowned for its vast network of partner charitable organizations 🤝. This amount can vary, but it typically ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 dollars, amounts that are generally easier to reach compared to the Boston Marathon. This registration method is ideal as it enhances the spirit of solidarity and helps organizations advance research or improve aid to those in need 🤗. Registrations through charity fundraisers open at the same time as the lottery 🤓. If you choose this route, it's advisable to plan your fundraising in advance via social media, and by rallying friends or family members to meet the financial goal more easily! 😊

Photo Credit: Bank of America Chicago Marathon

4/ Sports Travel Agencies: The All-Inclusive Package 🔑

If you want to skip the lottery and stressful timing 🥵, this alternative might just be for you! Designed for marathoners 🏃‍♂️ and globetrotters 🛬 who like to settle in upon arrival and enjoy a highly organized experience, the all-inclusive packages are highly sought after. Though more expensive than booking individually 💲, travel agencies working with the event provide an all-in-one package: bib, accommodation, and even flights sometimes. It’s without a doubt the simplest and most serene option, but you need to book well in advance as these sell out quickly! 🥐 Make sure to go through an official agency to avoid ending up with a fake bib 😆.

5/ For Marathon Enthusiasts: “Legacy Finishers” and “Marathon Maniacs” Status 👑

If you’re a marathon regular, Chicago rewards your dedication to the marathon distance with guaranteed entries, subject to specific conditions! Two statuses have been created based on your marathon addiction level: "Legacy Finishers" and "Marathon Maniacs". If you've completed at least 5 Chicago Marathons in the last 10 years, you're guaranteed a bib! 🥳 The organization rewards loyal participants 😂. And if you're a "Marathon Maniacs", meaning you've finished all 5 other World Marathon Majors, you'll also secure a guaranteed spot at the Chicago Marathon start line. This status is rare, but it exists! 😎 So if you are an avid Abbott Marathons medal chaser, your entry awaits you at the finish line! 🏁

But is a bib really within reach? 🤔

Unlike races like Boston, where only a fast time can open the doors ⏳, Chicago offers several ways to achieve your dream of running through this iconic city with its monuments that are more impressive than the last 🏛️. Whether you try your luck with the lottery 🤑, race against the clock, or raise funds for a charity 💗, there’s always an accessible option 😁. Whichever registration path you choose, be sure to start early because Chicago is one of the most popular marathons, and spots go as fast as the race winners themselves (at 2'51 per km 😳)! So don’t hesitate, you’re closer than ever to getting your bib for the Chicago Marathon! 😉