The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, one of the world’s six major marathons, also known as the World Marathon Majors, takes place annually in October on the streets of Chicago, attracting thousands of runners from around the world.

Known for its smoothness and speed, the race course is ideal for setting personal and world records. Starting and finishing in Grant Park, it travels through 29 different neighborhoods, offering runners the opportunity to admire Chicago landmarks such as the Willis Tower, the Chicago River, Chinatown, and Michigan Avenue, all while being greeted by the warm cheers of spectators.

The first modern Chicago Marathon was held on September 25, 1977, under the name “Mayor Daley Marathon.” Approximately 4,200 runners participated. Since then, the race has grown into one of the largest marathons in the world. With over 45,000 participants, the Chicago Marathon has made history. In 2023, a new world record was set by Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot in a surreal time of 2:00:35.

In 2024, a year marked by both tragedy and triumph, the running community mourned the loss of Kelvin Kiptum Ruth Chepng’etich, the marathon world record holder.

The sudden death of Kelvin Kiptum, along with his coach Gervais Hakisimana, on February 11, 2024, had a profound impact on the sport worldwide. Kelvin Kiptum was regarded as one of the most promising marathoners of all time. His death was commemorated at the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024, with a minute of silence and special mourning stickers worn by athletes to reflect the respect and admiration he received from around the world.

On the same day, Ruth Chepongetich made history by setting a new marathon world record with a stunning time of 2:09:56. Her feat shattered Tigst Asefa’s previous mark of 2:11:53 by nearly two minutes, making her the first woman to break the 2:11 and 2:10 marks. Chepongetich dedicated the new record to fellow countryman and male world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, as a tribute to his legacy. Her remarkable race was not only a testament to her talent and determination, but also to the strong spirit and unity of the global running community.

With excellent organization, enthusiastic spectator support, and a unique course, the Chicago Marathon is an unforgettable experience for all runners.