How To Get Into Chicago Marathon 2024

Hey folks! Today, I’m going to spill the beans on cracking the code to get into the Chicago Marathon 2024. Buckle up for the lowdown on Chicago Marathon Qualifying Times 2024, snagging that Chicago Marathon Guaranteed Entry, and a whole bunch of other nifty details. Ready? Let’s dive in!

How To Get Into Chicago Marathon 2024

Uh-oh! The deadline for regular entries to the 2024 Chicago Marathon zipped by on November 16, 2023. But hold your horses, pals! There are still a few tricks up our sleeves to potentially snag a spot – don’t lose hope just yet!

Chicago Marathon Guaranteed Entry

Guess what? If you missed the boat on the regular entries for the 2024 Chicago Marathon, there’s still hope! Check out these savvy alternatives:

1. Drawing: Throw your hat in the ring for non-guaranteed entries. The drawing happens after the guaranteed entry deadline. The entry fee is $240 for US residents and $250 for non-US residents. Find out if you’re in on February 12th, 2024, by following these steps:

  • Visit the Chicago Marathon website
  • Hit the Apply button
  • Choose Non-Guaranteed Entry
  • Fill out the application form
  • Submit your payment

2. Charity Program: Team up with charities associated with the Chicago Marathon. Commit to fundraising for them, and they might just hand you a guaranteed entry. Explore the official charity index on the marathon website to discover available spots and fundraising requirements.

International Tour Program

3. International Tour Program: Get in on the action by registering with the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon International Tour Program (CMITP). You might snag a guaranteed entry even after the regular deadline. Hurry, check it out now!

4. Legacy Finisher: If you’ve aced the Chicago Marathon a whopping five times or more in the last 10 years (2013-2023), you’re a legacy finisher! Enjoy the perks of a guaranteed entry.

5. 2023 Series Completer: If you conquered all three 2023 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events (Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago 13.1, and Chicago Marathon), congrats! You’re eligible for a guaranteed entry in 2024.

6. Cancelled Entry: Had to bail on your 2023 Chicago Marathon plans and deferred it to 2024? No worries! Your spot for the 2024 race is secured. Keep the excitement alive!

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Chicago Marathon Non Guaranteed Entry

Waitlist: Roll the dice and hop on the waitlist for a shot at scoring any leftover spots through a random drawing. Be warned, though—the odds aren’t exactly in your favor.

Other Options:

Volunteer: Flip the script and become a volunteer at the race. It’s a fantastic way to soak in the event’s atmosphere and show some love to the runners.

Run a different race: If the Chicago Marathon is your ultimate dream, why not shift gears? Train up for next year and set your sights on the 2025 race. Meanwhile, explore other fantastic marathons to keep that runner’s spirit alive.

P.S. Curious about the Chicago Marathon 2024 locations? Stay tuned for the scoop!

Chicago Marathon 2024 locations



Chicago Marathon  locations

Mark your calendars! The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is set to rock your world on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

Picture this: The race kicks off and wraps up in the heart of it all, at Grant Park in downtown Chicago. The course? Brace yourself for a journey through the city’s iconic neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Chinatown & Pilsen. Get ready to soak in the vibes of these vibrant Chicago gems!

Check out the lineup for the Bank of America Marathon waves and their start times:

WaveStart Time
Marathon Wheelchair (Men)7:20 AM
Marathon Wheelchair (Women)7:21 AM
Marathon Handcycle7:23 AM
Marathon Wave 1 (Red)7:30 AM
Marathon Wave 2 (Blue)8:00 AM
Marathon Wave 3 (Orange)8:35 AM

Get ready to hit the pavement at your designated time and make those miles count! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Chicago Marathon Schedule 2024

Save these important dates for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and associated events:

DateEventLocation
Thursday, October 10Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet pick-upMcCormick Place
Friday, October 11Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet pick-upMcCormick Place
Saturday, October 12Abbott Chicago 5KGrant Park
Saturday, October 12Abbott Health & Fitness Expo; Packet pick-upMcCormick Place
Sunday, October 13Bank of America Chicago MarathonGrant Park
Sunday, October 13Marathon Wheelchair Start (Men) – 7:20 a.m.
Sunday, October 13Marathon Wheelchair Start (Women) – 7:21 a.m.
Sunday, October 13Marathon Handcycle Start – 7:23 a.m.
Sunday, October 13Marathon Wave 1 Start (Red) – 7:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 13Marathon Wave 2 Start (Blue) – 8:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 13Marathon Wave 3 Start (Orange) – 8:35 a.m.
Sunday, October 13Spectator access to Grant Park begins – 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 1327th Mile Post-Race PartyGrant Park, Butler Field

Get ready for an action-packed weekend! 🏃‍♂️🎉

Chicago Marathon Qualifying Times 2024

Check out the qualifying times for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon based on age group and gender:

Age Group (Men)Qualifying TimeAge Group (Women)Qualifying Time
16-193:05:0016-193:35:00
20-293:10:0020-293:40:00
30-393:20:0030-393:50:00
40-493:35:0040-494:20:00
50-594:00:0050-595:00:00
60-694:30:0060-695:55:00
70-795:25:0070-796:10:00
80 & Over5:25:0080 & Over6:10:00

Keep these times in mind as you gear up for the marathon. Lace-up and chase those qualifying dreams! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Chicago Marathon Winners list

Check out the impressive Chicago champions for the past years in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon:

Men:

YearChampionCountryTime
2023Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya)Kenya2:01:44
2022Benson Kipfari (Ethiopia)Ethiopia2:07:10
2021Dejan Radonjic (Serbia)Serbia2:08:22
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019Lawrence Cherono (Kenya)Kenya2:04:55
2018Mo Farah (UK)UK2:05:11
2017Galen Rupp (USA)USA2:07:22
2016Abel Kirui (Kenya)Kenya2:07:30
2015Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)Kenya2:00:45
2014Dennis Kimetto (Kenya)Kenya2:03:45

Women:

YearChampionCountryTime
2023Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)Netherlands2:13:44
2022Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya)Kenya2:14:45
2021Brigid Kosgei (Kenya)Kenya2:29:10
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019Birhane Dibaba (Ethiopia)Ethiopia2:18:31
2018Gladys Cherono (Kenya)Kenya2:22:42
2017Edna Kiplagat (Kenya)Kenya2:21:37
2016Betsy Saina (Kenya)Kenya2:24:22
2015Barefoot Bobbi Gibb (USA)USA (Honorary)2:38:45
2014Aberu Kebede (Ethiopia)Ethiopia2:20:38

These phenomenal runners have left their mark on the Marathon! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Chicago Marathon Prize Money 2024

Certainly, here’s the information presented in a table format:

CategoryPrize Money
General Prize Money
Total prize money$560,000
Split between people$280,000 each
Wheelchair division$150,500 ($75,250 each for all people
Top Finisher Prizes (Open Division):
1st place$100,000 + $50,000 bonus for a course record (if achieved)
2nd place$75,000
3rd place$50,000
4th place$40,000
5th place$35,000
6th place$30,000
7th place$25,000
8th place$20,000
9th place$15,000
10th place$10,000
Wheelchair Division Prizes:
1st place$25,000 + $50,000 bonus for a course record (if achieved)
2nd place$18,000
3rd place$12,000
4th place$7,000
5th place$5,000
6th place$3,000
7th place$2,000
8th place$1,500
9th place$1,000
10th place$750

There you go, neatly organized in a table for easy reference! 🏃‍♂️💰🏃‍♀️

Read Also: Paris Olympics 2024: Schedule, Venues, Date

FAQs

How many people apply for the Chicago Marathon?

A whopping 120,000 individuals threw their hats into the ring, applying for the Chicago Marathon in 2024. This staggering number sets a new record, showcasing a remarkable surge in interest compared to previous years.

Chicago Marathon Finish Line 2024? 

Chicago Marathon Finish Line

The culmination of the Marathon unfolds at Grant Park, a picturesque green haven nestled near Lake Michigan in the heart of Chicago. As runners cross the finish line beneath a towering arch, they are met with resounding cheers from a sea of enthusiastic spectators.

Chicago Marathon Start Line 2024?

 The starting point for the Chicago Marathon is situated in Grant Park, Chicago , Illinois. While the exact location within the park may vary slightly each year, it typically aligns near the intersection of Columbus Drive & Jackson Drive. The scene is vibrant and festive, buzzing with the energy of runners, spectators, and music, creating an atmosphere of palpable excitement. Lace-up those shoes, it’s time to hit the starting line! 🏁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Conclusion

In conclusion, gaining entry into the highly coveted Chicago Marathon 2024 might seem challenging after the regular entry deadline passed, but fret not! With various alternatives like the drawing for non-guaranteed entries, participation in charity programs, joining international tour programs, legacy finisher benefits, and more, there are ample opportunities to secure a spot and make your marathon dream a reality. The Chicago Marathon’s rich history, vibrant locations, and top-notch organization, coupled with a record-breaking 120,000 applicants in 2024, promise an exhilarating and inclusive experience for both seasoned runners and aspiring participants.

Furthermore, the Marathon offers not only a thrilling race but also a substantial prize pool, with detailed categorization for general and wheelchair divisions. The marathon’s schedule, starting from Grant Park and winding through iconic neighborhoods, creates an electric atmosphere, accentuated by a carefully curated wave system. As theMarathon continues to attract a global audience, the diverse range of winners from past years showcases the event’s international appeal, making it a must-watch and participate this race in the running calendar.

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