With just hours until the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, runners are making final preparations, squeezing in last-minute stretches and exercises while also trying to get some much needed rest before race day.
Average mile time will be front of mind for many, but the race day schedule is another key clock both runners and spectators will want to watch.
Tens of thousands of hopeful marathoners are expected to gather in Grant Park on Sunday morning for the 26.2-mile race. Both participants and supporters should prepare for heavy traffic, street closures and large crowds in downtown and along the course throughout the event.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for race day:
5:30 a.m.: Grant Park opens to runners and the gear check and start corrals open 7:20 a.m.: Wave 1 start corrals close and men’s professional wheelchair start 7:21 a.m.: Women’s professional wheelchair start 7:23 a.m.: Handcycle start 7:30 a.m.: Men’s and women’s professional runners start 7:32 a.m.: High performance running program start 7:35 a.m.: Wave 1 runners start 7:45 a.m.: Wave 2 start corrals close 8 a.m.: Wave 2 runners start 8:10 a.m.: Wave 3 corrals close 8:35 a.m.: Wave 3 runners start 9:30 a.m.: Grant Park opens to spectators and 27th Mile Post-Race Party starts 4 p.m.: Gear check closes and 27th Mile Post-Race Party endsSpectators can watch the race from the sidelines or from home via NBC Chicago’s coverage and live stream of the start and finish line, available on our website, live on NBC 5, NBC Chicago’s YouTube channel and on NBC Chicago’s 24/7 streaming channel, NBC 5 Chicago News, available on Peacock, Roku TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, Local Now, Pluto, Google TV, TCL, Xfinity, and FreeVee.
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