About the trip
Travel facts
The race
Programme
Tour leaders
HotelsBank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago Marathon 2024 Sunday, October 13, 2024, in Chicago, Ill. Photography by James C. Svehla
Come to America’s third largest city and run one of the world’s most iconic marathons. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon offers a flat and fast course, an unrivalled spectator experience and a city full of contrasts, culture and character.
Speed, history and people – welcome to The Bank of America Chicago Marathon!
With its flat and fast course, Chicago is a favourite for personal bests and records. Four world records have been set here, and every year many new personal bests are recorded. The start and finish are beautifully located in Grant Park, where runners then make their way through 29 colourful neighbourhoods with around 1.7 million spectators along the way – a world-class experience!
As always, we travel with experienced leaders who guide, inspire and create a safe and memorable experience all the way from start to finish.
Chicago Marathon
Travel facts
Chicago – the city of contrasts on Lake Michigan
Chicago is, in our opinion, one of the most exciting cities in the USA. Located on glittering Lake Michigan, the city offers a unique blend of nature, architecture and pulse. Here, marinas and green parks coexist with the world’s tallest skyscrapers – and a city centre full of life.
During your stay, you can enjoy a rich cultural offering, world-class restaurants, shopping for all tastes and a vibrant nightlife. Chicago is also a city with strong Swedish roots – once called “the second largest Swedish city in the world”. Today, charming Andersonville is a living memory of that era.
About the race
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is not only one of the world’s biggest marathon events – it’s also a place where history is made. On the flat, fast course through the heart of Chicago, not one but two world records have been broken in recent years.
In 2023, Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum shocked the world by becoming the first man to run a marathon under 2:01, with a time of 2:00:35 – the fastest time ever. And the following year, in 2024, it was time again: Ruth Chepngetich made history when she crossed the finish line in 2:09:56, becoming the first woman ever to run under 2:10.
But the Chicago Marathon is more than just a record. It’s a celebration of people with over 45,000 runners, a course that passes through 29 unique neighbourhoods, and a crowd of up to 1.7 million people lining the streets and cheering every step. From start to finish in leafy Grant Park, you’ll be taken on an energetic journey through the city’s diversity – from Chinatown to Lincoln Park, from glittering skyscrapers to bohemian neighbourhoods.
One of the six classic Abbott World Marathon Majors, the race is a destination for both elite and recreational runners. It’s a perfect choice for those who want a fast course, an incredible atmosphere and a trip to one of America’s most exciting cities.
Chicago awaits – is this the year you run the race of your life?
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Do you dream of running among the world’s top marathon cities and joining an exclusive group of runners? Then the Abbott World Marathon Majors is your ultimate challenge – a journey that takes you across six iconic cities, six unforgettable races and a destination that symbolises pure running joy and determination.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors consist of six of the world’s most prestigious marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Together they form the ultimate marathon journey – a chance to experience new cultures, atmospheres and courses, while challenging both body and mind.
Each race you complete earns you a star on your way to the coveted Six Star Medal, proof that you have completed all six. The journey requires careful planning, perseverance and passion – but each goal you cross becomes a memory for life.
Beyond the races, you also become part of a global community of runners through the World Marathon Majors system, with rankings, virtual challenges and the opportunity to track your progress against the world’s best in your class.
When you run your last of the six races and receive your Six Star Medal, it’s more than a race you’re finishing – it’s a journey you’ve conquered.
The TCS Sydney Marathon has officially become the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors from 2025. The race has undergone a multi-year evaluation process in which the organisation, safety, spectator support and participation numbers have been improved to meet the high standards required to become a Major. The course takes runners through the city’s most iconic settings, including running across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the world-famous Opera House.
Looking ahead, further expansion of the series is planned. Two marathons are currently in the candidate phase: the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa and the Shanghai Marathon in China. If the races fulfil all the criteria, they are expected to become official Majors in 2027.
With these additions, the Abbott World Marathon Majors could comprise a total of nine races, and there has already been discussion about the possibility of introducing a new Nine-Star Medal for those runners who complete all the marathons in the expanded series.
Programme
Preliminary programme (Please note that the programme is subject to change)
Thursday 8 October
- Arrival from Arlanda & Copenhagen
Friday 9 October
- Morning jog
- 09:30 Joint trip to the licence plate fair (Autograph)
- 10:00 Joint trip to the number plate fair (Best Western)
Saturday 10 October
- 07:00 Morning jog
- 09:30 Boat sightseeing (pre-booked option)
Sunday 11 October
- 05:45 Meet in the lobby for the walk to the start
- 19:00 After Run Dinner! (Pre-booked option)
Sunday 12 October
- 11:00 Check-out from the hotels
- Transfer to the airport for your return journey
Program
Our tour guides
Inga instruktörer har tilldelats denna resa.
Our hotels
Best Western Grant Park Hotel
Best Western Grant Park Hotel 1100 S Michigan Avenue A simple but good 2-star hotel in a perfect location within walking distance of both the start and finish of Grant Park. We offer travellers in a group to share a room at an affordable price. Mode of the race The location for running the Chicago …
Congress Plaza
Congress Plaza 520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 Congress Plaza Hotel is one of Chicago’s most iconic hotels, dating back to 1893, with an atmosphere that blends historic elegance with modern convenience. It is located right in the centre of Chicago – walking distance from the start and finish of the Chicago Marathon and …
Chicago Autograph Collection
Chicago Autograph Collection 333 North Dearborn Street Elegant, stylish and luxuriously modern, Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection, is located in the heart of the city’s upscale River North neighbourhood. As part of “Marina City”, the hotel has direct access to the Chicago River and some of the most prestigious dining, shopping and entertainment venues that …
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