Event Now Features a Cumulative Prize Purse of More Than $1 Million
CHICAGO, IL – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today the introduction of prize money for the event’s Para Athletics Program beginning in 2026. By adding prize money to the Para Athletics Program, the event aims to expand opportunities for athletes competing at the highest level of the sport, recognize their accomplishments and attract top Para athletes to the Chicago Marathon. Additionally, the Chicago Marathon has increased the prize purse for the professional wheelchair division in 2026 and will now feature a cumulative prize purse of more than $1 million. View the event’s 2026 prize purse.
“The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is proud to annually host the best athletes in the world, including athletes in the Para Athletics Program and professional wheelchair division,” said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “Some of the greatest wheelchair racing in the sport has taken place on the streets of Chicago, and we look forward to seeing some of the greatest Para Athletics racing here in the future with the addition of prize money to the division.”
The new Para Athletics Program prize structure includes:
- The top three men and women finishers in all seven Para Athletics Program divisions at the Marathon will receive prize money of $2,500; $1,500; $1,000, respectively.
- Athletes competing in Para Athletics prize money divisions at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon adhere to World Athletics and World Para Athletics rules, regulations and anti-doping processes. To be eligible to compete for prize money in the Para Athletics Program, athletes must have a World Para Athletics or National classification.
More information on the event’s Para Athletics Program is available here.
The new professional wheelchair prize structure includes:
- Professional wheelchair division champions [T53/54] will receive a first-place prize of $50,000 (increased from $40,000), and places 7-10 will also receive increases in awards compared to recent years. Wheelchair athletes with T51-T52 classifications will receive awards for places 1-3.
- The total professional wheelchair prize purse for 2026 will be $290,000 for men and women (previously $246,000).
- Prize money is awarded to invited professional athletes in the men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions. Every professional athlete who competes in the professional division must strictly adhere to the rules, regulations and anti-doping processes set forth by World Athletics and/or World Para Athletics to be eligible for prize money.
Individuals interested in taking part in the 2026 Chicago Marathon have the opportunity to apply for entry now through Tuesday, November 18.
For the latest event updates, registered participants and community members are encouraged to visit the Event FAQ, available at chicagomarathon.com.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 48th year on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome thousands of participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class professional athlete field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity participants. The race’s iconic course takes participants through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, 1.7 million spectators line the streets cheering on tens of thousands of participants from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating over $683 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11. In advance of the race, a three-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Thursday, October 8, Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.