Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2026 ballot: 200,000 applications
A record of more than 200,000 people applied for the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon, with drawing selection emails sent to runners on 11 December 2025.
What made 2026 notable
Demand for the 48th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon reached unprecedented heights. Chicago Event Management reported more than 200,000 applications for the 2026 event, surpassing the 160,000 submitted a year prior. Applications opened on 21 October 2025 and closed on 18 November 2025, with draw notifications sent on 11 December 2025. The overall field is capped at 55,000 entrants, which includes guaranteed qualifiers and non-guaranteed drawing applicants. About one third of the entire field runs and fundraises on behalf of an official charity, requiring at least $2,200. The race is scheduled for 11 October 2026, so race day results are not yet available.
Applications over time
Time qualifier standards
View full age-group standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:15:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:40:00 | 4:15:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:55:00 | 4:30:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:15:00 | 4:45:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:30:00 | 5:00:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 85-89 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 90+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Questions about the 2026 ballot
How many people applied to the 2026 Chicago Marathon ballot?
More than 200,000 runners applied for entry into the 2026 race, setting a new event record compared to 160,000 applicants for the 2025 event.
What were the application and drawing dates for the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
Applications opened on 21 October 2025 and closed on 18 November 2025. Applicants received their drawing results by email on 11 December 2025.
What is the 2026 Chicago Marathon drawing acceptance rate?
Chicago does not publish an official ballot acceptance rate. The drawing accounts for an unspecified portion of the 55,000 total entrants, making an exact calculation impossible without knowing the non-guaranteed allocation.
When is the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
The race will take place on Sunday, 11 October 2026. Because the race has not yet occurred, finisher totals and race day results are not available.