Runners hoping to take on the 2027 Chicago Marathon can now enter the ballot, with applications remaining open until Thursday October 29th 2026. The race will take place on Sunday October 10th 2027.
Entering the ballot is free. Successful applicants living outside the United States will pay $260, while the fee for United States residents is $250. A processing fee will also be added when the race place is purchased.
Ballot results will be sent by email on Tuesday December 8th. Runners who receive a place must then complete their registration and pay by the stated deadline, as selection in the draw does not register them automatically.
When Does the Chicago Marathon Ballot Close?
Applications opened at 2pm British Summer Time on Thursday October 8th and close at 2pm Central Time on Thursday October 29th.
By the closing date, the clocks in Ireland and the UK will have moved back. The deadline is therefore 7pm Irish and UK time on Thursday October 29th.
There is no limit on the number of people who can enter before the deadline, and applying early does not improve the chance of selection.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old on race day. Anyone under 18 must be registered by a parent or legal guardian.
How the Chicago Marathon Ballot Works
Chicago officially calls its ballot the non guaranteed entry drawing. Once the application window closes, names will be selected from the full pool of applicants.
There is no charge to enter the drawing, and no race fee is taken at the application stage. The number of ballot places has not been confirmed because it will depend on how many runners register through guaranteed entry routes before October 29th.
Only one application is permitted per person. Submitting more than once does not create extra chances because duplicate applications are removed before the draw.
Every applicant will receive an email on Tuesday December 8th confirming if they have been selected. The messages will be sent throughout the day, so it is worth checking the spam folder as well as the main inbox.
Successful applicants must pay the entry fee and complete their registration by 11:59pm Central Time on Tuesday December 15th. That is 5:59am in Ireland and the UK on Wednesday December 16th. Anyone who misses the deadline loses the place and will not receive a race number.
Can Friends Enter Together?
Chicago does not offer a linked team application in its public drawing. Friends and family members must apply separately, which means one person may be selected while another misses out.
The organiser points unsuccessful members of a group towards its charity and official tour operator programmes, both of which can provide guaranteed entry while places remain available.
How Much Does Chicago Marathon Entry Cost?
The 2027 entry fees are:
- United States residents: $250.
- Runners living outside the United States: $260.
- United States charity runners: $325.
- Charity runners living outside the United States: $335.
A separate processing fee is added to every entry. The organiser has not published a fixed amount, and the processing fee is non refundable in all circumstances.
For Run Republic readers in Ireland and the UK, the relevant standard price is $260 plus the processing fee. Payment is made in United States dollars, so the final euro or sterling amount will depend on the exchange rate and any foreign transaction charge applied by the runner's bank.
Are Chicago Marathon Entries Refundable?
Standard entry fees and extra purchases are non refundable. Race places cannot be sold, donated or transferred to another runner.
A registered runner who can no longer take part may cancel their place by Wednesday October 6th 2027 and receive guaranteed entry for the 2028 Chicago Marathon. However, the 2027 fee is not returned or carried forward, and the runner must pay the 2028 fee when registering again.
That cancellation route is not available to charity or tour operator entrants, or to runners who moved a cancelled 2026 entry into 2027. Once a cancellation is submitted, it cannot be reversed. A separate policy is available for runners who are pregnant, recently pregnant or postpartum.
Runners can also buy what's called "Refundable Registration" when paying for their place. Its price is calculated from the total order value and displayed at checkout. It can provide a refund of up to 100% of the entry fee and eligible purchases if the reason for missing the race is covered by the terms and the runner supplies the required evidence.
This protection cannot be added after registration and is not available when an entry is being paid for by a charity, tour operator or sponsor partner. It is not a general change of mind refund.
Is There a Guaranteed Time Qualifier Route?
Yes. Unlike the Berlin Marathon fast runner category, meeting Chicago's published standard provides a guaranteed place, provided the result and supporting evidence are accepted.
The qualifying marathon must have been completed between January 1st 2025 and October 29th 2026 on a course certified by World Athletics, USA Track and Field or a similar governing body. Half marathon results, ultramarathon results and times from uncertified events are not accepted.
The standards are based on the runner's age on October 10th 2027:
- Age 16 to 34: Men 2:50:00, women and non binary runners 3:20:00.
- Age 35 to 39: Men 2:55:00, women and non binary runners 3:25:00.
- Age 40 to 44: Men 3:00:00, women and non binary runners 3:30:00.
- Age 45 to 49: Men 3:10:00, women and non binary runners 3:40:00.
- Age 50 to 54: Men 3:15:00, women and non binary runners 3:50:00.
- Age 55 to 59: Men 3:25:00, women and non binary runners 3:55:00.
- Age 60 to 64: Men 3:40:00, women and non binary runners 4:15:00.
- Age 65 to 69: Men 3:55:00, women and non binary runners 4:30:00.
- Age 70 to 74: Men 4:15:00, women and non binary runners 4:45:00.
- Age 75 to 79: Men 4:30:00, women and non binary runners 5:00:00.
- Age 80 and over: Men 4:50:00, women and non binary runners 5:20:00.
Time qualifier applications must be submitted during the main application window. Approved runners still have to pay the standard entry fee. Guaranteed applications can take up to 10 working days to be checked, and approved entrants must pay by 11:59pm Central Time on Tuesday November 10th.
What Else Is Confirmed for Race Day?
The 49th Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday October 10th 2027. The flat course begins and ends in Grant Park and passes through 29 Chicago neighbourhoods.
Runners must be able to complete the 26.2 miles within 6 hours and 30 minutes, based on approximately 15 minutes per mile. Anyone falling behind that schedule may be moved onto the pavement as roads reopen and may not receive full course support.
Every participant must collect their own race pack from the Abbott Health and Fitness Expo and present government issued photo identification matching the name used during registration.
2027 Chicago Marathon Ballot: Key Dates
- Thursday October 8th 2026 at 2pm BST: Guaranteed and ballot applications open.
- Thursday October 29th 2026 at 7pm Irish and UK time: Guaranteed and ballot applications close.
- Tuesday November 10th 2026: Payment deadline for approved guaranteed entry applicants.
- Tuesday December 8th 2026: Ballot results sent by email throughout the day.
- Tuesday December 15th 2026 at 11:59pm Central Time: Payment and registration deadline for successful ballot applicants.
- Tuesday August 10th 2027: Tour operator application deadline.
- Wednesday September 1st 2027: High Performance Programme deadline, unless it fills earlier.
- Friday September 10th 2027: Charity entry deadline, unless a charity fills its places earlier.
- Wednesday October 6th 2027: Final day for eligible registered runners to cancel and claim a guaranteed 2028 entry.
- Sunday October 10th 2027: Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Runners can enter the draw and read the full conditions on the official 2027 Chicago Marathon application page.
