Chicago Marathon Set for October 12, 2025: Here’s What to Know
CHICAGO – Preparations are underway for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025. The annual race is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants and spectators, impacting traffic and transportation throughout the city. Here’s a guide to navigating race day, tracking runners, and viewing the event.
Street Closures
Most streets along the 26.2-mile marathon route will close to traffic at 6 a.m. on race day, remaining closed until approximately 4 p.m. Organizers recommend utilizing expressways, including DuSable Lakeshore Drive, to avoid impacted areas. “No parking” restrictions will be enforced starting at 1 a.m. on October 12th, with vehicles subject to ticketing and towing. Bus routes that typically run thru the race area will be rerouted from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.The Chicago Transit authority (CTA) is suggested as a convenient transportation option for navigating downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
The Course
The Chicago Marathon course spans 29 neighborhoods, beginning and ending on Columbus Drive in Grant Park. The route loops north to Lake View,west to Damen Avenue,and south to 35th Street before returning to Grant Park. Runners will face a challenging incline near the finish line known as “Mount Roosevelt” – a 700-foot stretch along Roosevelt Road between Columbus and Michigan that rises 23 feet.
Tracking Runners
Spectators can monitor runners’ progress using the free Bank of America Chicago Marathon app. The app provides tracking for multiple participants, professional athlete profiles, live broadcast streaming, real-time weather updates, and an interactive course map. Fans can also submit digital cheers that may be displayed along the course as runners pass by.
How to Watch
Television coverage of the elite racers will be broadcast on NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago, and TeleXitos from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 12th. Expanded streaming coverage will be available on NBC 5 Chicago and telemundo Chicago’s websites, apps, and Roku and Apple TV channels from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
