Chicago Marathon 2026
Come run the 2026 Chicago Marathon and join more than 54,000 participants on the starting line to cover the 42.195 km of one of the world’s greatest marathons. Run through Chicago’s iconic streets during this legendary race in the heart of the city.
Sign up now to experience an unforgettable adventure 😉
Requirements
- Required age: 18
- Marathon entry fees: see RATES
- 5km entry fee: see directly on the organizers’ website
Marathon
5K
Marathon Overview
Take up the challenge of the 2026 Chicago Marathon – Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon 2026 represents thepinnacle of running, attracting athletes of all levels, from the elite to passionate amateurs. This iconic marathon, part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors circuit, features a fast, flat course conducive to exceptional performance.
Every year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon brings together runners from over 100 nations, making it one of the most international and inclusive events in the world. The 42.195 km course winds its way through Chicago’s iconic neighborhoods, offering participants a unique immersion in the city’s cultural diversity.
A mytic course awaits you. Start and finish in Grant Park, the vibrant heart of the city. Runners pass through neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy and Pilsen, discovering the cultural richness of Chicago. The course is renowned for its flatness, offering participants an ideal opportunity to beat their personal best.
With over 1.7 million spectators lining the route, the atmosphere is electrifying. Live bands, cheerleaders and entertainment punctuate the 42.195 km, creating a festive and motivating atmosphere for all participants.
The Chicago Marathon is also famous for several historic performances, including the men’s world record set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 with an exceptional time of 2h 00min 35s. This record testifies to the speed and potential of the course, recognized as one of the fastest in the world and ideal for breaking your own personal records.
Each runner crossing the finish line receives the official Chicago Marathon medal, a symbol of perseverance and achievement. What’s more, a finisher’s T-shirt is given to each runner as a tangible souvenir of their achievement.
Prior to the race, participants must visit the official expo to collect their race number, which is essential for access to the starting gates. The expo also features a host of stands showcasing the latest innovations in running gear, nutrition and accessories.
For the best possible experience, our team of running enthusiasts offers a complete program including registration, race number collection, accommodation and personalized advice to help you tackle this adventure with peace of mind.
Chicago Marathon Course
Chicago Marathon race plan
2026 rates
This option is for people who want to travel on their own and have more freedom during their trip. There will be no Planet Tours guide at the hotel, only a telephone number to contact if necessary.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 100 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- Accommodation: 5 nights at the Warwick Allerton.
- A light breakfast (continental) provided by the hotel on the day of the marathon.
- A backpack with a Planet Tours t-shirt in the colors of France will be offered.
- Marathon registration: €520 to be paid when you book on our website.
- Registration for the 5 km race: You must register directly on this link: https: //www.chicago5k.com/
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €140 per person / with the included HEALTH PROTECTION extension: €200
- Personal expenses and hotel minibar charges
- The $40 Esta application: authorization to enter the U.S. to be requested on the official government website.
- Delivery of your Planet Tours backpacks and shirts: €18 (If you do not choose this option, your bag can be collected directly at the agency. It will not be handed out at the hotel.)
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:
If you are traveling alone and ask to share your room with another rider, we will try to accommodate your request, provided we have another participant who has expressed the same wish. Failing this, you will be upgraded to a single room at the single room rate. We cannot offer triple and quadruple rooms with a double bed. If you select these types of rooms, please note that we will not be able to fulfill your request and that an administrative fee will be retained to process the refund of your registration. The room will be furnished with a regular bed as well as a fold-down bed.
ATTENTION: limited quantities.
Quadruple rooms consist of two double beds, triple rooms of one double bed and one single bed. They are only offered to people who know each other well or to families. (bed width: 137cm)
Direct scheduled flight (United Airlines)
Departure on Thursday, October 8th from Paris-CDG at 11:15 AM, arrival in Chicago at 1:15 PM. Return from Chicago on Tuesday the 13th at 6:10 PM, arrival at Paris-CDG at 9:20 AM on Wednesday, October 14th.
Schedules are given for reference only and are subject to change.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 100 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- Round-trip transportation on direct United Airlines flights
- One piece of hold luggage weighing 23kg per person
- City tour with English-speaking guide (approx. 3h30/4h)
- Accommodation: 5 nights at the Residence Inn Downtown Loop
- Airport/hotel/airport bus transfers
- The assistance of our guides and their advice on site.
- A backpack with a Planet Tours t-shirt in the colors of France will be offered.
- American buffet breakfasts are served at the hotel. (From 6:30 am to 9:30 am on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on weekends. Times are subject to change.)
- Marathon registration: €520 to be paid when you book on our website.
- Registration for the 5 km race: You must register directly on this link: https: //www.chicago5k.com/
- Airport taxes: €360 as of today and subject to change before departure
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €140 per person / with the included HEALTH PROTECTION extension: €200
- Personal expenses and hotel minibar charges
- The $40 Esta application: authorization to enter the U.S. to be requested on the official government website.
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:
If you are traveling alone and ask to share your room with another rider, we will try to accommodate your request, provided we have another participant who has expressed the same wish. Failing this, you will be upgraded to a single room at the single room rate. We cannot offer triple and quadruple rooms with a double bed. If you select these types of rooms, please note that we will not be able to fulfill your request and that an administrative fee will be retained to process the refund of your registration. The room will be furnished with a regular bed as well as a fold-down bed.
ATTENTION: limited quantities.
Quadruple rooms have 2 double beds, one of which can be folded away, and triple rooms have a double bed and a sofa bed. They are only available for people who know each other well, or for families. The same applies to rooms with two single beds. They consist of a single bed and a pull-out bed.
Direct scheduled flight (United Airlines)
Départ le jeudi 8 oct. de Paris-CDG à 11h15, arrivée à Chicago à 13h15
Retour de Chicago le mercredi 14 à 18h10, arrivée à Paris-CDG à 09h20 le jeudi 15 oct.
Schedules are given for reference only and are subject to change.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 100 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- Round-trip transportation on direct United Airlines flights
- One piece of hold luggage weighing 23kg per person
- City tour with English-speaking guide (approx. 3h30/4h)
- Accommodation: 6 nights at the Residence Inn Downtown Loop
- Airport/hotel/airport bus transfers
- The assistance of our guides and their advice on site.
- A backpack with a Planet Tours t-shirt in the colors of France will be offered.
- American buffet breakfasts are served at the hotel. (From 6:30 am to 9:30 am on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on weekends. Times are subject to change.)
- Marathon registration: €520 to be paid when you book on our website.
- Registration for the 5 km race: You must register directly on this link: https: //www.chicago5k.com/
- Airport taxes: €360 as of today and subject to change before departure
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €140 per person / with the included HEALTH PROTECTION extension: €200
- Personal expenses and hotel minibar charges
- The $40 Esta application: authorization to enter the U.S. to be requested on the official government website.
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:
If you are traveling alone and ask to share your room with another rider, we will try to accommodate your request, provided we have another participant who has expressed the same wish. Failing this, you will be upgraded to a single room at the single room rate. We cannot offer triple and quadruple rooms with a double bed. If you select these types of rooms, please note that we will not be able to fulfill your request and that an administrative fee will be retained to process the refund of your registration. The room will be furnished with a regular bed as well as a fold-down bed.
ATTENTION: limited quantities.
Quadruple rooms have 2 double beds, one of which can be folded away, and triple rooms have a double bed and a sofa bed. They are only available for people who know each other well, or for families. The same applies to rooms with two single beds. They consist of a single bed and a pull-out bed.
This option is available for people who wish to travel on their own.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 100 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- City tour with English-speaking guide (approx. 3h30/4h).
- Accommodation: 5 nights at the Residence Inn Downtown Loop
- The assistance of our guides and their advice on site.
- A backpack with a Planet Tours t-shirt in the colors of France will be offered.
- American buffet breakfasts are served at the hotel. (From 6:30 am to 9:30 am on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on weekends. Times are subject to change.)
- Marathon registration: €520 to be paid when you book on our website.
- Registration for the 5 km race: You must register directly on this link: https: //www.chicago5k.com/
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €140 per person / with the included HEALTH PROTECTION extension: €200
- Personal expenses and hotel minibar charges
- The $40 Esta application: authorization to enter the U.S. to be requested on the official government website.
- Delivery of your Planet Tours backpacks and shirts: €18 (If you do not choose this option, your bag can be collected directly at the agency. It will not be handed out at the hotel.)
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:
If you are traveling alone and ask to share your room with another rider, we will try to accommodate your request, provided we have another participant who has expressed the same wish. Failing this, you will be upgraded to a single room at the single room rate. We cannot offer triple and quadruple rooms with a double bed. If you select these types of rooms, please note that we will not be able to fulfill your request and that an administrative fee will be retained to process the refund of your registration. The room will be furnished with a regular bed as well as a fold-down bed.
ATTENTION: limited quantities.
Quadruple rooms have 2 double beds, one of which can be folded away, and triple rooms have a double bed and a sofa bed. They are only available for people who know each other well, or for families. The same applies to rooms with two single beds. They consist of a single bed and a pull-out bed.
This option is available for people who wish to travel on their own.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 100 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- City tour with English-speaking guide (approx. 3h30/4h).
- Accommodation: 5 nights at the Residence Inn Downtown Loop
- The assistance of our guides and their advice on site.
- A backpack with a Planet Tours t-shirt in the colors of France will be offered.
- American buffet breakfasts are served at the hotel. (From 6:30 am to 9:30 am on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on weekends. Times are subject to change.)
- Marathon registration: €520 to be paid when you book on our website.
- Registration for the 5 km race: You must register directly on this link: https: //www.chicago5k.com/
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €140 per person / with the included HEALTH PROTECTION extension: €200
- Personal expenses and hotel minibar charges
- The $40 Esta application: authorization to enter the U.S. to be requested on the official government website.
- Delivery of your Planet Tours backpacks and shirts: €18 (If you do not choose this option, your bag can be collected directly at the agency. It will not be handed out at the hotel.)
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING:
If you are traveling alone and ask to share your room with another rider, we will try to accommodate your request, provided we have another participant who has expressed the same wish. Failing this, you will be upgraded to a single room at the single room rate. We cannot offer triple and quadruple rooms with a double bed. If you select these types of rooms, please note that we will not be able to fulfill your request and that an administrative fee will be retained to process the refund of your registration. The room will be furnished with a regular bed as well as a fold-down bed.
ATTENTION: limited quantities.
Quadruple rooms have 2 double beds, one of which can be folded away, and triple rooms have a double bed and a sofa bed. They are only available for people who know each other well, or for families. The same applies to rooms with two single beds. They consist of a single bed and a pull-out bed.
Our hotels
Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown/Loop
The perfect balance between hotel and apartment, the Residence Inn Downtown Loop offers all the comforts you need for your stay. With rooms measuring 31m2, you’ll enjoy a Queen or King Size bed (in all rooms).
For meals, the hotel offers a buffet breakfast every morning.
What’s more, each room has its own kitchenette with microwave, electric hob and coffee machine. Enough to prepare your own meals if you wish. Maybe some pasta the night before a marathon ;). There’s also a fitness room.
With this listed building in Chicago’s Loop, you’re right in the heart of the city. The famous State Street is just 5 minutes from the hotel, enough to satisfy all your shopping desires. A 7-minute walk will take you to the start and finish of the marathon, so you can get organized as you please.
Warwick Allerton Chicago
This hotel is ideally located for your stay in Chicago. It’s right on Michigan Avenue. One of the city’s most vibrant thoroughfares. Here you’ll find the world’s largest Starbucks. Looking for official marathon merchandise? No problem, the Nike store is just 100m from the hotel.
Similarly, the John Hancock Center, probably Chicago’s most iconic building, can be reached in a 7-minute walk.
In addition to the comfort of our rooms, you can also make use of our 24-hour fitness center.
On the day of the marathon, the hotel offers you a light breakfast to prepare you in the best possible conditions, before a 20-minute walk to the start line.
Did you know?
Best times
You can find the terms and conditions of sale and insurance for this trip here.