Those who applied to run in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon should 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 take part, surpassing 2023’s 120,000 and setting the stage for another record year.
Increased interest in 2025 will mean more than 53,000 people are expected to cross the finish line in next year’s race, scheduled for October 12. The marathon marks the final event of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, which also includes the Shamrock Shuffle. 8K and Bank of America Chicago 13.1, which will each launch a new look in 2025.
Those selected to enter the marathon draw will join those with “guaranteed entry” to the race, including “past finishers”, time qualifiers, international groups, charity runners, distance series finishers and those who had to cancel their registration in 2024.
“Today we welcome a new group of participants to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and kick off the next chapter of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series,” race executive director Carey Pinkowski said in a statement. “When we launched the series in 2023, our goal was to celebrate the Chicago running community, from individuals discovering the sport for the first time to our long-time participants. We continue to be humbled by the running community’s enthusiasm and support for events and are excited to launch a new look that celebrates Chicago and the spirit of every race.
Marathon organizers have said they expect every race in the series to be sold 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 may still register through the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program,” the marathon said.
Those who register to run with an official charity must raise a minimum of $2,100. For a list of official charities and information on how to sign up for a charity team, go to chicagomarathon.com/charity.
