2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon: Runners to learn selection status
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 09: Runners wait to for the start of the 2022 Chicago Marathon on October 09, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will notify runners on Thursday of their selection status for the 2025 race, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Grant Park.
The marathon continues to attract record interest, with more than 160,000 applicants vying for a chance to participate.
Organizers expect more than 53,000 runners to cross the finish line, marking another record-breaking field.
This year’s selection highlights the growing popularity of the Chicago Distance Series, which also includes the Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run and the Chicago 13.1.
In 2024, the series saw over 81,000 finishers, with 2,700 participants completing all three events.
"Today we welcome a new field of participants to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and launch the next chapter of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "When we started the Series in 2023, our goal was to celebrate the Chicago running community, from individuals discovering the sport for the first time to our longtime participants. We continue to be humbled by the running community’s enthusiasm and embrace of the events and we’re excited to launch a new look that celebrates Chicago and the spirit of each race."
If you're thinking about joining the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, don't wait too long—spots are expected to fill up fast!
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, with runners selected through Thursday's drawing joining those who secured guaranteed entries during the four-week application period.
Guaranteed entries include legacy finishers, time qualifiers, international tour group participants, charity runners, finishers of the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series and those who canceled their 2024 race entries.
Runners who were not selected in the drawing still have an opportunity to participate through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program. Since its inception in 2002, the program has raised more than $322 million for local, national, and global causes.
The 2025 Charity Program features 217 nonprofit organizations spanning 10 cause categories, including advocacy, animal rights and welfare, education, the environment, healthcare, and youth development. Participants registering with an official charity are required to raise a minimum of $2,100.
For more information, click here: chicagomarathon.com.
Bank of America Chicago 13.1
The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 is set for Sunday, June 1, 2025, and will welcome more than 9,000 runners to its fourth annual half-marathon. The race will start and finish in Garfield Park.
After the race, participants and community members are invited to join the Race Day Festival, which will feature entertainment, health and wellness activities, and community activations. The festivities will also include the West Wellness Walk, a 1.31-mile walk taking place on Saturday, May 31.
For more details about the event and registration, visit chicago13point1.com.
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle returns on Sunday, March 23, 2025, marking its 44th year as a beloved Chicago tradition and the unofficial kickoff to the running season.
The event is expected to host more than 24,000 runners for its signature 8K (4.97 miles) race through the Loop.
For those looking for shorter distances, The Mile will take place on Saturday, March 22, and a 2-Mile Walk will be held on Sunday, March 23.
All events start and finish in Chicago’s Grant Park.
Additional event details and registration information can be found at shamrockshuffle.com.