The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is just weeks away, and preparations are already in motion ahead of one of the world’s largest races.
On Sunday, October 13, a projected 50,000 athletes from around the globe will compete for top prizes and cross the iconic finish line at Grant Park.
Whether you’re a participant or an interested spectator, here’s everything to know about the 46th annual Chicago Marathon!
When does the Chicago Marathon start?
The Chicago Marathon will begin bright and early at Grant Park on October 13, with gates opening to runners at 5:30 a.m.
The day’s events will kick off at 7:20 a.m. with the men and women’s wheelchair marathon, followed by the handcycle race just minutes later. After that, the main event will officially begin at 7:30 a.m. sharp.
The marathon is divided into several waves based on participation levels. The first wave of the race will include elite runners competing for top prizes. The second wave will follow shortly after, followed by the third and final wave.
Schedule
7:20 a.m.: Marathon Wheelchair start (men)
7:21 a.m.: Marathon Wheelchair start (women)
7:23 a.m.: Marathon Handcycle start
7:30 a.m.: Wave 1 start
8:00 a.m.: Wave 2 start
8:35 a.m.: Wave 3 start
What is the Chicago Marathon route?
The Chicago Marathon covers 26.6 miles, starting in downtown, circling the loop, and continuing north to Uptown before heading back south.
From there, the course continues west past United Center before veering southwest through Little Italy and Bronzeville, eventually concluding back in Grant Park. View the full course here.
Street closures
For those not participating in the marathon, there’s still plenty to prepare for, as street closures will impact traffic flow in the lead-up to and throughout the event.
Pre-race street closures begin on September 30, with the closure of Balbo Drive between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Extensive closures will begin on October 9 and continue through the weekend.
On race day, most of downtown will be closed to vehicle traffic. View the full list of street closures and times here.
Where to view the Chicago Marathon?
There’s a ton of prime vantage points to cheer on runners at the Chicago Marathon. Here are a few of the best spots for photos and viewing:
East Side Viewing Area – The East Side Viewing area will be located on the east side of Grant Park and is the perfect spot to watch runners as they make the turn onto Columbus Drive in the final stretch of the race.
Randolph Street Bridge – The Randolph Street Bridge is the perfect spot to watch runners as they begin their marathon journey. From high above the race, spectators can watch and wave to each passing wave of runners as they make their way up Columbus Drive.
State Street Corridor – All along State Street, spectators can line the way to watch the marathoners wind through the loop. For some epic photos, be sure to watch as runners pass by the iconic Chicago Theater.
Bank of America Cheer Zone – The Bank of America Cheer Zone along Wacker Drive marks the halfway point of the race. It’s the perfect place to cheer runners on and provide some mid-race morale.
Where to watch and stream the Chicago Marathon live?
Can’t make it to the Chicago Marathon? No problem! The event will be broadcast live on NBC 5 Chicago and Telemundo Chicago. Viewers can also stream the event from NBC 5 and Telemundo’s Roku and Apple TV channels from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.