Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago, United States · Sunday 11 October 2026
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place in Chicago, United States, one of America's great running cities. The event unfolds across the urban landscape where runners experience the energy of a major metropolitan area, passing through diverse neighborhoods and along the city's waterfront. The flat terrain and modest elevation changes, ranging only between 179 and 184 meters above sea level, mean that the setting itself won't demand extra effort from your legs, allowing you to focus on the run and the atmosphere around you. The course is refreshingly straightforward for a full marathon. Runners will find themselves on a predominantly flat to gently rolling route with only about 6 meters of elevation gain across the entire 42.2 kilometers. The trail surface offers a different feel from typical road marathons, which can be easier on the joints over the long distance. With minimal climbing and no significant descents to worry about, this is a course where fitness and pacing strategy matter more than technical footwork or steep hill management. It's the kind of route where steady effort and smart energy distribution typically pay off.
Difficulty Calculator
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Adjusted Time
4:30:04
Time difference: +30.1 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain6m
Elevation High184m
Elevation Low179m
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a full marathon held in Chicago, United States, scheduled for Sunday 11 October 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 6m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 184m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course with only 6m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 179m to 184m above sea level — a 5m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Surface Type: Trail
Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
How Difficult Is Bank of America Chicago Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for Bank of America Chicago Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Bank of America Chicago Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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