Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027 qualifying times
Qualifying window: 1 January 2025 – 29 October 2026. Age on race day. Timing: Marathon on a certified course (half marathons and ultras are not accepted). Times must be at or under the standard.
| Age group | Men | Women | Non-binary | Men pace /km | Women pace /km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16–34 | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 | 3:20:00 | 4:02 (6:29/mi) | 4:44 (7:38/mi) |
| 35–39 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 | 3:25:00 | 4:09 (6:40/mi) | 4:52 (7:49/mi) |
| 40–44 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 | 3:30:00 | 4:16 (6:52/mi) | 4:59 (8:01/mi) |
| 45–49 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 | 3:40:00 | 4:30 (7:15/mi) | 5:13 (8:23/mi) |
| 50–54 | 3:15:00 | 3:50:00 | 3:50:00 | 4:37 (7:26/mi) | 5:27 (8:46/mi) |
| 55–59 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 | 3:55:00 | 4:52 (7:49/mi) | 5:34 (8:58/mi) |
| 60–64 | 3:40:00 | 4:15:00 | 4:15:00 | 5:13 (8:23/mi) | 6:03 (9:44/mi) |
| 65–69 | 3:55:00 | 4:30:00 | 4:30:00 | 5:34 (8:58/mi) | 6:24 (10:18/mi) |
| 70–74 | 4:15:00 | 4:45:00 | 4:45:00 | 6:03 (9:44/mi) | 6:45 (10:52/mi) |
| 75–79 | 4:30:00 | 5:00:00 | 5:00:00 | 6:24 (10:18/mi) | 7:07 (11:27/mi) |
| 80+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 | 5:20:00 | 6:52 (11:04/mi) | 7:35 (12:12/mi) |
Source: Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Standards for race year 2027, last checked 2026-09-30. This site re-checks the official page automatically and updates this table when the organiser publishes new standards.
Does a qualifying time get you in?
Runners who meet the standard can apply through the time-qualifier process during the application window. Only full-marathon results on a certified course count, and no allowance is made for weather or course conditions.
How Chicago compares with the other majors
The same age group can need very different times at different races. Your standard for the youngest group in each race:
| Race | Year | Youngest group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 2027 | 18–34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| London | 2027 | 18–39 | 2:52:00 | 3:38:00 |
| Chicago | 2027 | 16–34 | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 |
| NYC | 2027 | 18–34 | 2:53:00 | 3:13:00 |
| Berlin | 2027 | Up to 44 (born 1982+) | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| Tokyo | 2027 | All ages | 2:22:00 | 2:50:00 |
| Sydney | 2027 | 18–34 | 2:45:00 | 3:18:00 |
Check every race at once with the marathon qualifying times checker, or plan your block with the training start date calculator.
How to run a Chicago qualifier
- Pick an eligible, fast course inside the qualifying window — flat, cool and certified. Confirm it meets Chicago’s rules before you enter.
- Train for a margin. Use the race time predictor with a recent half marathon; you want a prediction comfortably under your standard.
- Pace evenly. Build a plan with the marathon pace calculator and print a pace band.
- Fuel and carb-load. Plan with the carb loading and race fueling calculators.
Unofficial tool. Not affiliated with Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Rules, eligible races and standards are set by the organiser and can change — confirm on the official page before you apply.
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Health disclaimer