‘Unprecedented': Chicago Marathon runners notified of selection into 2025 race
Those who applied to run in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon are set to be notified if they were selected Thursday as the race once again announced “unprecedented interest” in applications. Organizers said more than 160,000 people applied for the chance to participate, topping 2023’s 120,000 and setting the stage for yet another record-breaking year. The heightened interest for 2025 will mean more than 53,000 people are set to cross the finish line at next year’s race, set for Oct. 12. The marathon marks the final event in the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, which also includes the Shamrock Shuffle 8K and the Bank of America Chicago 13.1, which will each launch a new look in 2025. Those selected to run through the marathon’s lottery drawing will join those with “guaranteed entry” into the race, including “legacy finishers,” time qualifiers, international groups, charity runners, distance series finishers and those who had to cancel a 2024 entry. “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,” Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said in a statement. “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.” Marathon organizers said they expect each race in the series to sell out in 2025. So, if you weren’t chosen in the lottery can you still run the 2025 Chicago Marathon? The answer is yes. “Runners who did not receive an entry through the drawing can still sign up through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program,” the marathon stated. Those who register to run with an official charity are required to raise a minimum of $2,100. For a list of official charities and information on how to register with a charity team, go to chicagomarathon.com/charity. Registration details for each remaining race in the series are below. 2025 Bank of America Chicago 13.1 The fourth annual half marathon which takes place June 1, 2025, is a unique race, giving runners the opportunity to traverse through Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods, starting and finishing in Garfield Park. The race will be followed by Race Day Festival, showcasing entertainment, health and wellness activities and more. Next year’s race will take place on Sunday, June 1, with registration for the event now open. Those who sign up prior to Oct. 22 are granted access to a discounted $102 entry fee in celebration of the Distance Series. The entry fee increases to $112 at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 22. More details and registration information for the Chicago Half-Marathon can be found here. 2025 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Known as the official kick-off to the running season and a continuation of Chicago’s world-renowned St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the unique 8K run through the Chicago Loop will be held on Sunday, March 23 for 2024. Those who are not feeling ready to tackle the 8K run but want to participate are encouraged to join “The Mile” event on Saturday, March 22 or the two-mile walk on Sunday. All three events will start and finish in Grant Park. Registration for the events is now open, with those signing up through Oct. 22 receiving a special $46 entry fee. The fee will increase to $51 at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 22. Registration for the two-mile walk is $41, while registration for The Mile is $25 for adults and $15 for youth ages 8 through 12. More details and registration information for this year’s Shamrock Shuffle can be found here.
Those who applied to run in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon are set to be notified if they were selected Thursday as the race once again announced “unprecedented interest” in applications.
Organizers said more than 160,000 people applied for the chance to participate, topping 2023’s 120,000 and setting the stage for yet another record-breaking year.
The heightened interest for 2025 will mean more than 53,000 people are set to cross the finish line at next year’s race, set for Oct. 12. The marathon marks the final event in the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, which also includes the Shamrock Shuffle 8K and the Bank of America Chicago 13.1, which will each launch a new look in 2025.
Those selected to run through the marathon’s lottery drawing will join those with “guaranteed entry” into the race, including “legacy finishers,” time qualifiers, international groups, charity runners, distance series finishers and those who had to cancel a 2024 entry.
“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,” Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said in a statement. “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.”
Marathon organizers said they expect each race in the series to sell out in 2025.
So, if you weren’t chosen in the lottery can you still run the 2025 Chicago Marathon?
The answer is yes.
“Runners who did not receive an entry through the drawing can still sign up through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program,” the marathon stated.
Those who register to run with an official charity are required to raise a minimum of $2,100. For a list of official charities and information on how to register with a charity team, go to chicagomarathon.com/charity.
Registration details for each remaining race in the series are below.
2025 Bank of America Chicago 13.1
The fourth annual half marathon which takes place June 1, 2025, is a unique race, giving runners the opportunity to traverse through Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods, starting and finishing in Garfield Park.
The race will be followed by Race Day Festival, showcasing entertainment, health and wellness activities and more.
Next year’s race will take place on Sunday, June 1, with registration for the event now open.
Those who sign up prior to Oct. 22 are granted access to a discounted $102 entry fee in celebration of the Distance Series. The entry fee increases to $112 at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 22.
More details and registration information for the Chicago Half-Marathon can be found here.
2025 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle
Known as the official kick-off to the running season and a continuation of Chicago’s world-renowned St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the unique 8K run through the Chicago Loop will be held on Sunday, March 23 for 2024.
Those who are not feeling ready to tackle the 8K run but want to participate are encouraged to join “The Mile” event on Saturday, March 22 or the two-mile walk on Sunday.
All three events will start and finish in Grant Park.
Registration for the events is now open, with those signing up through Oct. 22 receiving a special $46 entry fee. The fee will increase to $51 at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 22.
Registration for the two-mile walk is $41, while registration for The Mile is $25 for adults and $15 for youth ages 8 through 12.
More details and registration information for this year’s Shamrock Shuffle can be found here.
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