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
- 0 m
- Typical temp
- 9–17 °C
- Cutoff
- 6:30:00
The short version
A fair test with a few teeth
- Most runners crack near km 32 — fuel before km 30, not at it.
Next edition
11 October 2026
Typical race-day conditions
9–17 °C
We lock the real forecast into your plan in race week.
Course difficulty
ModerateDriven by a flat, fast course with mild conditions. Harder than TCS Amsterdam Marathon (4.3), easier than Generali Köln Marathon (4.3) — tougher than 7% of the races we cover.
Race data quality
Medium confidence
Auto-generated from GPS route + elevation data
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
Route-derived (GPX + DEM)
Paid strategy guardrail
Official race packet remains source of truth
- Open-Meteo historical climate archive (2022–2024)
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.
VDOT
49.1
Estimate
3:16:07
Course cost
+2:22
Fuel target
60 g/h
60 g/h needs a trained gut — practise it in training, never try new fuelling on race day. Your full plan tunes this to your experience.
First 5 km preview
full race locked
- km 14:37
- km 24:54
- km 34:34
- km 46:21
- km 54:37
First race free · then €7 Race Pass · no monthly subscription
Uses an approximate course model; verify final logistics against the official race packet.
Step 2 · Your full Bank of America Chicago Marathon plan
The preview shows the shape. The plan races it for you.
Course preview
Free
what you see now
- Difficulty score & course data
- Course-cost & toughest km
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Race Pass
€7
one-time, this race
- Every km split, weather-adjusted
- Nutrition & fluid timeline
- Heat, wind & sun race tactics
- Danger zones + watch file (GPX)
- Race-week forecast & reminders
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Continue with approximate course data →Course elevation
0 m total gain · 30 m loss · max 250 m, min 165 m.
Fly the course
Sun & shade
Sun in your eyes
15 km
Sun on your back
10 km
Side / overhead
17 km
No strong glare or overhead-sun stretches at this start time — the sun stays mostly to the side.
Approximate — solar position from the route geometry and a 07:30:00 start (timezone estimated from longitude), for a mid-pack finishing time.
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.
Aid stations
17 stations on course — plan your fueling around them.
Race overview
Chicago is a flat, certified loop through 29 distinct neighbourhoods, with almost no 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 (13 °C / 68 % 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 | 4:19:16 | +1.2% | 6:07/km |
| Intermediate (VDOT 45) | 3:28:17 | 3:30:50 | +1.2% | 4:58/km |
| Trained (VDOT 50) | 3:10:41 | 3:13:01 | +1.2% | 4:33/km |
| Competitive (VDOT 60) | 2:43:24 | 2:45:24 | +1.2% | 3:54/km |
Reference nutrition
For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:13:01 at 13 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.
- Carbs / hour
- 60 g
- Total carbs
- 193 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.
Get your personalized strategy
The numbers above are samples. Sign up free and get the full Bank of America Chicago Marathon strategy from your VDOT, the current course model, Open-Meteo race-week forecast when available, and your nutrition preferences.
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New to the marathon? Start with our marathon pacing strategy guide or run the VDOT calculator.