It’s almost race day in Chicago and that will mean thousands of runners and spectators flocking to the city for the biggest run of the year: the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
This year’s race could see even more records broken as the marathon enters its 47th year.
But whether you’re participating, spectating or just trying to get around Chicago there’s plenty you should know.
Here’s what you should know:
When is the 2025 Chicago Marathon?
The Chicago Marathon steps off on Oct. 12.
One day prior to the race, Grant Park will also host the Abbott Chicago 5k.
What time is the Chicago Marathon?
The event begins with the men’s wheelchair race start at 7:20 a.m. CT on Sunday.
Marathon start times are staggered into “carousels,” so runners will cross the finish line at varying points throughout the day.
The course has a time limit of six hours and 30 minutes. At that point, roads will re-open to vehicles. In order to complete the full distance, runners must maintain an average pace of 15 minutes per mile.
Here’s the full start time schedule:
Men’s Wheelchair Start: 7:20 a.m.
Women’s Wheelchair Start: 7:21 a.m.
Handcycle Start: 7:23 a.m.
Wave 1 Start: 7:30 a.m.
Wave 2 Start: 8:00 a.m.
Wave 3 Start: 8:35 a.m.
Grant Park open for spectators: 9:30 a.m.
27th Mile Post-Race Party: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Beer tickets are on sale until 3 p.m. and can be redeemed until 3:30 p.m.)
2025 Chicago Marathon Course
The Chicago Marathon course is often recognized for being flat and fast, with the race starting and finishing in Grant Park and traveling through 29 city neighborhoods.
How can you watch the race live?
Extensive coverage of the Chicago Marathon begins at 7 a.m. on race day and can be viewed right here, in the player above, as well as on NBC 5, NBC Chicago’s YouTube channel and on NBC Chicago’s 24/7 streaming channel, NBC 5 Chicago News, available on Peacock, Roku TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, Local Now, Pluto, Google TV, TCL, Xfinity, and FreeVee.
An exclusive finish line camera will stream on NBCChicago.com and the NBC 5 Chicago News Streaming Channel from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow runners’ friends and family watch them finish the marathon live.
A Spanish-language broadcast of the race can be found on TelemundoChicago.com and in the Telemundo Chicago app.
How to track a runner
Spectators and supporters can track runners live via the marathon’s mobile app.
The new, and free, mobile app will include “unlimited live race day runner tracking,” according to organizers.
Spectators can even submit a digital cheer through the app for a chance to have their message displayed on the course as their participant goes by.
This year’s app also includes 11 “leaderboards,” which will allow users to find race leaders across all tracked categories, from the professional athlete field to the open field — all in real time.
Details on how to download the app can be found here.
How to get live race results
NBC Chicago will send alerts for the winners of each professional category of the race. Make sure to download the app and turn on push notifications for the live results.
Race results will also be available after the race begins on a leaderboard from the marathon.
View results for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon here.
List of street closures
Abbott Chicago 5K – Oct .11
The following streets will be closed to traffic between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.:
Ida B. Wells Dr., between Columbus Dr. and Michigan Ave.
E. Congress Plaza Dr., between Ida B. Wells Dr and Michigan Ave.
Michigan Ave., between Ida B. Wells Dr and Balbo Dr.
Harrison St., between Michigan Ave. and Franklin St.
State St., between E. Harrison St. and W. Harrison St.
Franklin St., between Harrison St. and Adams St.
Van Buren St., between Wacker Dr. and Franklin St.
Southbound Wacker Dr., between Michigan Ave. and Van Buren St.
Northbound Wacker Dr., between Adams St. and Michigan Ave.
Jackson Blvd., between Wacker Dr. and Franklin St.
Wacker Dr. between Adams St. and Van Buren St. will be closed from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.
2025 Chicago Marathon
Race day street closures along the route will begin at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday and are expected to reopen by 4:30 p.m., “or when it is deemed safe to do so,” the city said.
Additional street closures for race day include:
Thursday, September 25: Balbo Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 6:00 a.m. and reopen on Friday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 9: Jackson Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 10:00 a.m. and reopen on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 9: Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Monday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 9: Columbus Dr. from Ida B. Wells Dr. to Balbo Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Monday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 9: Columbus Dr. from Balbo Dr. to Roosevelt Rd. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Monday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Friday, October 10: Columbus Dr. from Monroe St. to Jackson Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 10: Columbus Dr. from Jackson Dr. to Ida B. Wells Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 10: Congress Plaza Dr. from Michigan Ave. (Van Buren St. to Harrison St.) will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 10: Jackson Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11: Columbus Dr. from Randolph St. to Monroe St. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11: Roosevelt Rd. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 11:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11: Monroe St. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11: Monroe St. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will close at 4:00 a.m. and reopen on Sunday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m.
All streets will be fully reopened by Friday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Beyond just street closures, parking restrictions will also begin along the route early Sunday morning.
“For public safety and traffic flow, the towing of vehicles along the route and other posted ‘“’No Parking Zones’ will be strictly enforced,” the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said. “Motorists are encouraged to read signage before parking
What about the expo?
Before race day, runners will need to pick up their participant packet, which is done at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo.
LOCATION & HOURS
McCormick Place
Lakeside Center, Hall D
2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive*
Chicago, IL 60616
Thursday, October 9
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, October 10
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 11
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where are the best places to cheer?
Thousands of spectators will line the course to watch top athletes compete or cheer on loved ones as they complete the marathon.
Spectators will not be able to gather near the course’s start or finish lines, as those areas will be restricted to participants and ticketed guests. Still, fans are encouraged to cheer on athletes throughout the race.
“Words of encouragement and cheers of support from spectators have helped thousands of participants cross the finish line at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon,” reads the marathon’s website. “Your energy and inspiration make a difference!”
For spectators looking to join groups of fans while cheering on runners, the marathon has created several cheer zones throughout the course.
What does the medal look like?
The 2025 medal was revealed Monday.
This year’s medal features designs on both the front and the back, with the front showcasing the city’s flag and skyline and the back showcasing an outline of the marathon’s course, along with a special nod for those running the Distance Series.
The Chicago Distance Series, according to organizers, is made up of three of the city’s biggest racing events: the Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon. Those who run all three in the same year receive a unique medal and guaranteed entry into the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
“This will be waiting for you beyond the finish line on October 12,” the marathon wrote on social media.
Runners to watch and which records could be broken
The marathon is once again expecting a record-setting number of participants for this year’s race, with more than 53,000 expected to toe the starting line.
Among those racing will be some of the world’s greatest marathoners, including numerous past champions all vying for repeat titles and even a “Love Island USA” winner.
Marathon organizers also noted Conner Mantz will return in an attempt to break the American record, currently held by Khalid Khannouchi with a time of 2:05:38, set in 2002.
“With his performances in 2025, Mantz has shown he is the most legitimate threat to Khannouchi’s place atop the all-time list in more than a decade,” the Chicago Marathon said in a release.