65 m of cumulative elevation gain — only Berlin is flatter among the World Marathon Majors. The only noticeable incline is the short ramp onto Roosevelt Road in the final kilometre.

Early-October averages are 8–16 °C, but historic race-day temperatures have ranged from 0 °C to 32 °C. Check the live forecast in race week.

How crowded is the start?

Wave starts spread the 45 000 runners; pace groups are well-defined. Expect tight running for the first 5 km.

Chicago, US · October 2026

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Bank of America Chicago Marathon pacing plan: per-km splits, nutrition strategy, and weather-adjusted targets for the flat fast loop through downtown Chicago.

Distance: 42.20 km
Elevation gain: 65 m
Typical temp: 8–16 °C
Cutoff: 6:30:00

Race data quality

Medium confidence

Last verified: source review pending

Course distance, climate, and broad course features are suitable for pacing previews. Elevation profiles and aid-station details are approximate and should be checked against the official race packet before race day.

Elevation profile

Approximate course model

Paid strategy guardrail

Official race packet remains source of truth

Published race organizer materials
Public course maps and elevation references
Historical climate normals for the race month

Step 1 · Free preview

See the course-adjusted plan first

Enter one recent result. The preview returns course cost, first splits, and fuel target from the deterministic engine and the current course data model.

Recent raceRecent timeGoal timeWeight (kg)

VDOT

49.1

Estimate

3:14:36

Course cost

+0:52

Fuel target

90 g/h

Course pressure12 °C · 65% RH

First 5 km preview

full race locked

km 14:42
km 24:44
km 34:45
km 44:46
km 54:41

km 6-42 locked · full splits, nutrition timeline, danger zones, printable race band

Continue with approximate course data

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Uses an approximate course model; verify final logistics against the official race packet.

Step 2 · Full Bank of America Chicago Marathon strategy

Per-km splits, nutrition timing, race-week checklist.

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Continue with approximate course data →

Course elevation

65 m total gain · 65 m loss · max 187 m, min 176 m.

Signature sections

Grant Park finish · km 41.5–42.195
Sharp left-right onto Roosevelt Road for the only meaningful incline of the day before the line.

Race overview

Chicago is a flat, certified loop through 29 distinct neighbourhoods, with only 65 m of total climbing. Like Berlin, the course rewards even pacing and disciplined fueling: there is no terrain to "manage", just 42 km of attention to pace, hydration, and breath. Early October weather is variable — most years sit at 8–16 °C, but warm years above 20 °C have measurably slowed elite times. The one elevation feature is the short ramp onto Roosevelt Road in the last 600 m. Plan for a flat-pace effort, plenty of fuel through the long out-and-back south side (km 21–34), and a strong close into Grant Park.

How hard is this course?

Reference table — how the Bank of America Chicago Marathon compares to a flat sea-level course for four typical fitness levels. Computed from the route profile, mean course altitude, and typical race-week climate (12 °C / 65 % humidity). Your personal strategy uses your VDOT, per-km splits, nutrition timing, and the typical climate baseline for this static sample; paid strategies use Open-Meteo when a verified race date is inside the forecast window.

Runner	Flat-course finish	Bank of America Chicago Marathon finish	Course cost	Adjusted pace
Beginner (VDOT 35)	4:16:08	4:17:17	+0.4%	6:05/km
Intermediate (VDOT 45)	3:28:17	3:29:13	+0.4%	4:57/km
Trained (VDOT 50)	3:10:41	3:11:32	+0.4%	4:32/km
Competitive (VDOT 60)	2:43:24	2:44:07	+0.4%	3:53/km

Reference nutrition

For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:11:32 at 12 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.

Carbs / hour: 90 g
Total carbs: 287 g
Fluid / hour: 640 ml
Sodium / hour: 500 mg

FAQ

How flat is Chicago?
65 m of cumulative elevation gain — only Berlin is flatter among the World Marathon Majors. The only noticeable incline is the short ramp onto Roosevelt Road in the final kilometre.
Will Chicago be hot?
Early-October averages are 8–16 °C, but historic race-day temperatures have ranged from 0 °C to 32 °C. Check the live forecast in race week.
How crowded is the start?
Wave starts spread the 45 000 runners; pace groups are well-defined. Expect tight running for the first 5 km.

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Related races

New to the marathon? Start with our marathon pacing strategy guide or run the VDOT calculator.