20/08/2026
The Chicago Marathon will be the biggest it has ever been. Organizers confirmed a field of more than 55,000 registered runners for the 2026 race, the largest in the event's 48-year history.
The previous high was 52,150 finishers in 2024. The new figure clears that by roughly 3,000 and comes after more than 160,000 people entered the lottery for a spot, an acceptance rate under 35 percent.
The race runs October 11 through 29 Chicago neighborhoods. Organizers have expanded wave starts, medical coverage and hydration points to move a field of that size safely over 26.2 miles.
